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LATVIAN

BIOMEDICAL

RESEARCH AND STUDY CENTRE

RESEARCH AND EDUCATION IN BIOMEDICINE FROM GENES TO HUMAN

Molecular Microbiology Group (R.Ranka lab)

In the molecular microbiology group, we are interested in biological functions, pathogenesis and lifestyle of medically-important pathogens and host-pathogen interactions. Our studies are focused on the deciphering factors involved in determining the spread of the important infections in Latvia and Europe, and on the discovery of novel therapeutical, prevention and diagnostic strategies to combat infectious diseases. We are using cutting-edge molecular biology and genomic approaches, such as Next generation sequencing and whole genome sequencing technologies, which may help to track the transmission routes of specific bacterial genotypes and could provide a genomic view of the microorganism’s identity and capabilities including its potential virulence and pathogenicity.

We focus primarily on tuberculosis agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis and tick-borne diseases due to the threat they pose to human and animal health. Also, our group is engaged in ancient DNA and paleopathology studies in collaboration with archaeologists from University of Latvia. A full microbiome studies of archaeological samples and analysis of ancient pathogens including M. tuberculosis may help to decipher mechanisms by which these pathogens and the human host have co-evolved.

In addition, members of our group are involved in tuberculosis pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine studies, and we are interested in deciphering of various factors of ageing and ageing-related diseases, including those leading to the reactivation of latent infections in aged population and predisposition to infectious diseases.

Renāte Ranka, PhD

Renāte Ranka, PhD

Head of the scientific group, senior researcher

Personnel

Renāte Ranka, Dr. biol., renate_r@biomed.lu.lv

Darja Sadovska, MPh., darja.aleinikova@biomed.lu.lv

Jānis Ķimsis, MSc. biol., janis.kimsis@biomed.lu.lv

Alisa Kazarina, MPh., alisa.kazaina@biomed.lu.lv

Lauma Freimane,  MSc.biol., lauma.veidemane@biomed.lu.lv

 

 

Viktorija Igumnova, MPh., viktorija.igumnova@biomed.lu.lv

Valentīna Čapligina, Msc. biol, chaplygina@biomed.lu.lv

Agnija Kivrāne, MPh., agnija.kivrane@biomed.lu.lv

Agne Namiņa, Msc. biol., agne.namina@biomed.lu.lv

Areas for searching partners

  • Infectious diseases of human and animals, especially tuberculosis and tick-borne diseases
  • Whole genome sequencing of infectious agents
  • Ancient pathogens research
  • Analysis of ancient and modern microbiome
  • Personalised medicine, pharmacogenetics and human ageing

10 the most representative publications for the scientific group

  1. Kazarina A, Gerhards G, Petersone-Gordina E, Kimsis J, Pole I, Zole E, Leonova V, Ranka R. Analysis of the bacterial communities in ancient human bones and burial soil samples: tracing the impact of environmental bacteria. Journal of Archaeological Science. 2019; Vol. 109, 104989. DOI:10.1016/j.jas.2019.104989
  2. Namina A, Capligina V, Seleznova M, Krumins R, Aleinikova D, Kivrane A, Akopjana S, Lazovska M, Berzina I, Ranka R. Tick-borne pathogens in ticks collected from dogs, Latvia, 2011–2016. BMC Vet Res. 2019;15(1):398. DOI:10.1186/s12917-019-2149-5
  3. Pole I, Trofimova J, Norvaisa I, Supply P, Skenders G, Nodieva A, Ozere I, Riekstina V, Igumnova V, Storozenko J, Jansone I, Viksna L, Ranka R. Analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis genetic lineages circulating in Riga and Riga region, Latvia, isolated between 2008 and 2012. Infect Genet Evol. 2019;78:104126. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104126
  4. Igumnova V, Veidemane L, Vīksna A, Capligina V, Zole E, Ranka R. (2018). The prevalence of mitochondrial mutations associated with aminoglycoside-induced deafness in ethnic Latvian population: the appraisal of the evidence. Journal of Human Genetics. 2019;64(3):199-206. DOI:10.1038/s10038-018-0544-6
  5. Skiba Y, Mokrousov I, Nabirova D, Vyazovaya A, Maltseva E, Malakhova N, Ismagulova G, Pole I, Ranka R, Sapiyeva Z, Ismailov S, Moffett D. Mycobacterium tuberculosis RD-Rio Strain in Kazakhstan. Emerg Infect Dis. 2019;25(3):604-606. DOI: 10.3201/eid2503.181179.
  6. Zole E, Ranka R. Mitochondrial DNA copy number and telomere length in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in comparison with whole blood in three different age groups. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. 83 (2019) 131–137. DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2019.04.007
  7. Zole E, Ranka R. Mitochondria, its DNA and telomeres in ageing and human population. Biogerontology. 2018 Jul;19(3-4):189-208. DOI: 10.1007/s10522-018-9748-6.
  8. Ziemele B, Ranka R, Ozere I. Pediatric and adolescent tuberculosis in Latvia in 2011-2014: case detection, diagnosis and treatment. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2017;21(6):637-645. DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.16.0270.
  9. Kalvisa A, Tsirogiannis C, Silamikelis I, Skenders G, Broka L, Zirnitis A, Jansone I, Ranka R. MIRU-VNTR genotype diversity and indications of homoplasy in M. avium strains isolated from humans and slaughter pigs in Latvia. Infect Genet Evol. 2016;43:15-21. DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.05.013
  10. Igumnova V, Capligina V, Krams A, Cirule A, Elferts D, Pole I, Jansone I, Bandere D, Ranka R. Genotype and allele frequencies of isoniazid-metabolizing enzymes NAT2 and GSTM1 in Latvian tuberculosis patients. J Infect Chemother. 2016;22(7):472-7. DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2016.04.003.