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
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.
The Role Of Parasite Adhesins In Plasmodium Falciparum Invasion Of Human Erythrocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,434.00
Summary
Invasion of red blood cells is essential for the survival of malaria parasite within the human host. Red blood cell invasion is mediated by recognition of parasite proteins to specific blood surface receptors. My research focuses on understanding these parasite protein-host receptor interactions with emphasis on translating these findings as novel approaches for the prevention and treatment of malaria.
Understanding Whole Cell Protein Trafficking In Plasmodium Parasites
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,492.00
Summary
I am a molecular biologist and bioinformatician studying the cell biology of human parasites. I have expertise in the bioinformatic analysis of parasite genomes to predict where proteins will reside in cell, how they participate in metabolic pathways, and how they might be suitable as targets for drugs and vaccines to control parasitic diseases. This fellowship will investigate the cell biology of Plasmodium parasites, the causative agents of malaria, using computational and biochemical tools to ....I am a molecular biologist and bioinformatician studying the cell biology of human parasites. I have expertise in the bioinformatic analysis of parasite genomes to predict where proteins will reside in cell, how they participate in metabolic pathways, and how they might be suitable as targets for drugs and vaccines to control parasitic diseases. This fellowship will investigate the cell biology of Plasmodium parasites, the causative agents of malaria, using computational and biochemical tools to characterise drug and vaccine targets.Read moreRead less
T-follicular Helper Cell Subsets That Induce Protective Anti-Plasmodium Falciparum Antibodies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$456,262.00
Summary
Malaria claims at least half a million lives each year, the majority of them in children under the age of 5 years. In order to development effective vaccines malaria it is critically important that we increase our understanding of the key mechanisms governing the induction of protective immune responses in naturally exposed populations. This project will examine the role of one important cell subset - T-follicular helper cells - in the development of immunity against malaria.
We will investigate malaria, a parasitic disease that kills over 2 million people a year. We will explore how the parasite identifies, invades and remodels the host cells in which it lives, scavenging nutrients and hiding from the immune system. We will characterize the proteins involved in these critical events, as they are potential targets for drugs and vaccines. We will study how parasites cause disease and how the host responds to infection.
Protecting The Efficacy Of Antimalarial Therapies With Novel Approaches To Suppress The Emergence Of Drug Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
The global campaign to eliminate malaria is under serious threat from the continuing emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum parasites resistant to antimalarial drugs. However in acquiring resistance to one drug, the parasite can become more susceptible to other antimalarials. This project aims to 1) test the ability of drug pairs with opposing selection forces to suppress resistance in vitro and 2) define the physiological and molecular basis of these opposing evolutionary forces.
Effector Export In P. Falciparum Infected Human Erythrocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,066,920.00
Summary
We will investigate malaria, a parasitic disease that kills over 450,000 people a year. We will explore how the parasite identifies, invades and remodels the host cells in which it lives, scavenging nutrients and hiding from the immune system. We will characterize the proteins involved in these critical events, as they are potential targets for drugs. We will study how parasites cause disease and how the host responds to infection.
Malaria is one of the worlds most significant health problems and is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. We aim to understand the biology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of P. falciparum and P. vivax infections together with a strong translational direction. Our studies will thus lead to the discovery and development of novel tools aiding in the renewed efforts for the global elimination of malaria.