Signalling During Red Blood Cell Invasion By Plasmodium Falciparum
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$357,414.00
Summary
Malaria is one of the world's most devastating infectious diseases and is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium falciparum. AMA1 is a parasite surface protein crucial for blood cell invasion but how it works is not understood. We are investigating if AMA1 plays a role in helping the parasite sense when it has contacted a blood cell and should invade. Discovering how parasites attach to and invade bloods cells is a priority for the development of anti-parasite drugs and vaccines
Functional Genomic Analysis Of Exported DNA J Molecules In The Malaria Parasite Plasmodium Falciparum
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$529,698.00
Summary
Every day 3500 people die of malaria and more than 40% of the world s population is at risk. Malaria is one of the biggest scourges of mankind. This project aims to translate the available genomic data into functional insights using frontier technology to identify new intervention targets for P. falciparum infection. Developing novel targets against malaria is important from a humanitarian point of view, and also to safeguard Australia and its neighbouring regions against the social and economic ....Every day 3500 people die of malaria and more than 40% of the world s population is at risk. Malaria is one of the biggest scourges of mankind. This project aims to translate the available genomic data into functional insights using frontier technology to identify new intervention targets for P. falciparum infection. Developing novel targets against malaria is important from a humanitarian point of view, and also to safeguard Australia and its neighbouring regions against the social and economical implication of this disease. The malaria parasite seeks shelter from the host immune system by hiding in red blood cells, but at the same time it has to stay in contact with the blood environment. This is achieved by export of virulence factors onto the surface of malaria parasite-infected red blood cells, which are essential for the maintenance of malaria infection. Without these virulence factors the body's immune system can get rid of the malaria parasites by itself. For display on the surface the proteins have to pass several membranes and are transferred through the red blood cell. The whole transport and assembly process of the virulence factors into functional units is very complex and requires several helper and co-helper molecules. With the deciphering of the malarial genetic code it became obvious that the parasite displays an unusual large number of co-helper molecules, which are putatively exported into the red blood cell. We will generate transgenic parasites deficient in the expression of these exported co-helper proteins and assess their role on the pathogenesis of this debilitating infectious disease.Read moreRead less
Dissecting The Molecular Basis Of The Malaria Parasite-Erythrocyte Tight Junction Complex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,356.00
Summary
The parasites that cause malaria disease must invade the human red blood cell to complete their lifecycle. Invasion requires the formation of a complex interface between parasite and red cell called the Tight Junction. However, this structure's molecular makeup is entirely unknown. Our research will use a combination of state-of-the-art microscopy and genetics to define, for the first time, the junction's organization, providing a critical platform for the development of a malaria vaccine.
Trafficking And Expression Of PfEMP1 On The Surface Of P.falciparum-infected Erythrocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,189.00
Summary
Malaria causes over 2 million deaths each year. The parasite infects human red blood cells and expresses a virulence protein on the erythrocyte surface allowing it to adhere to the microcapillaries preventing clearance through the spleen. We aim to understand how the parasite is able to express this virulence protein on the parasite-infected red blood cell surface. Identification of the proteins involved will provide potential drug targets to develop novel antimalarial compounds and strategies.
Development And Application Of Theoretical Models Of Plasmodium Transmission To Guide Malaria Elimination Efforts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$315,401.00
Summary
There is currently a worldwide endeavour to eliminate malaria but there are few tools available to evaluate the impact of intervention strategies in the Asia-Pacific region. This project aims to address this deficiency by developing simulation models of Plasmodium vivax and mixed species infections, and using these new tools to investigate the likely impact of a variety of intervention strategies including bed nets, improved access to treatment and mass drug administration.
Identification Of The Plasmodium Falciparum Translocon That Exports Parasite Proteins Into Their Erythocytic Hosts.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,027.00
Summary
Up to 10% of the world's population will suffer from malaria in any given year and for over a million this disease will be fatal. This devastating disease is caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum that infects and destroys our red blood cells. Infected red cells are greatly modified by the parasites so they can feed and avoid elimination by the human immune system. We wish to investigate the red blood cell modification process and assess it as a potential target for anti-malarial drugs.