Role Of Plasmepsin V And PTEX Complex In Plasmodium Liver Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$848,408.00
Summary
Plasmepsin V and PTEX are essential proteins for malaria parasites to grow inside red blood cells. These proteins control the export of parasite proteins into red cells, causing disease. Before red blood cells are infected, parasites invade liver cells. Plasmepsin V and PTEX are expressed during liver infection but their function is currently unknown. We hypothesise that they allow parasites to export proteins into liver cells in order to survive and, thus, are antimalarial drug targets.
Identifying Metabolic Pathways In Leishmania Parasites And Their Host Cells Required For Virulence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$989,110.00
Summary
Our lack of understanding of microbial metabolism in infected animal tissues has hindered the development of effective therapies. This is particularly true for many parasitic diseases, including Leishmania spp that cause devastating disease throughout the tropics. We will utilize a range of innovative analytical and genetic approaches to identify metabolic pathway in Leishmania parasites and infected host cells that are required for virulence and are potential drug targets.
Interdisciplinary Insights Into The Rational Design Of Malaria Therapy And Vaccines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Malaria is a global health concern with almost half a million deaths annually. There is an urgent need for a highly effective malaria vaccine and new antimalarials. However, despite decades of research into this pathogen, our understanding of what causes illness in a person and how immunity operates is limited. This project will use a mathematical modelling approach to provide a new way to understand infection, as a rapidly changing and intricate process.
Plasmodium vivax is a parasite that invades the youngest of human red blood cells. Our work will reveal how this malaria parasite enters our blood cells and the molecular mechanisms that allows successful invasion. This proposal will redefine our understanding of P. vivax invasion and explore novel ways to block its entry into red blood cells and therefore prevent malaria infection.