The Angara Lab at A.T. Still University explores the complex molecular interactions at the host-pathogen interface. Our research focuses on understanding how obligate intracellular bacteria, such as Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever—endocarditis, manipulate host cell processes to survive and replicate. We investigate key mechanisms, including host lipid trafficking and organelle dynamics, that pathogens hijack during infection. By uncovering these pathways, our goal is to develop novel therapeutic strategies for chronic and persistent infections.
Projects
Investigating the role of inter-organelle lipid transfer in Coxiella burnetii pathogenesis
Our current project aims to define how lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) localized at membrane contact sites (MCS) mediating non-vesicular lipid trafficking, contribute to C. burnetii pathogenesis.
Publications
Mechanisms of lipid homeostasis in the Coxiella Containing Vacuole
Rajendra K Angara, Peyton E Van Winkle, Stacey D Gilk
Biochemical Society Transactions, vol. 53, Portland Press Ltd., 2025, pp. 59--68
A novel bacterial effector protein mediates ER-LD membrane contacts to regulate host lipid droplets
Rajendra Kumar Angara, Arif Sadi, Stacey D Gilk
EMBO reports, vol. 25, Nature Publishing Group UK London, 2024, pp. 5331--5351
ER-LD Membrane Contact Sites: A Budding Area in the Pathogen Survival Strategy
Rajendra Kumar Angara, Margaret F Sladek, Stacey D Gilk
Contact, vol. 7, SAGE Publications Sage CA: Los Angeles, CA, 2024, p. 25152564241304196
Matthew D White, Rajendra K Angara, Leticia Torres Dias, Dhananjay D Shinde, Vinai C Thomas, Leonardo Augusto
mSphere, American Society for Microbiology 1752 N St., NW, Washington, DC, 2024, pp. e00369--24
Establishing the intracellular niche of obligate intracellular vacuolar pathogens
Tatiana M Clemente, Rajendra K Angara, Stacey D Gilk
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, vol. 13, Frontiers Media SA, 2023, p. 1206037
S. Gupta, R. Angara, Suhail Yousuf, C. G. Reddy, A. Ranjan
Frontiers in Microbiology, 2020
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Posts
Conference talk
Rajendra is delivering talk at Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference (MMPC) [September 30 - October 1st 2022]
Travel Award
Rajendra receive FASEB travel award for attending FASEBÂ The Lipid Droplet Conference: Biology in Health and Disease [June 26 - 30, 2022]
Contact
Rajendra K. Angara
PhD
Department of Microbiology, and Immunology
A. T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM)
800 W. Jefferson St.
Kirksville, MO 63501