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.
Functional Studies On Two Essential Rhoptry Proteins Of The Malaria Parasite
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,894.00
Summary
Malaria is one of the most important and deadly infectious diseases in the world, causing 250 million cases and nearly one million deaths each year. Traditionally, drugs and insecticides have been used to treat the disease and control its spread. They have become much less effective and there now exist untreatable cases of malaria. Alternative control measures are urgently needed. An understanding of how proteins essential to parasite survival operate may identify novel targets for therapeutic i ....Malaria is one of the most important and deadly infectious diseases in the world, causing 250 million cases and nearly one million deaths each year. Traditionally, drugs and insecticides have been used to treat the disease and control its spread. They have become much less effective and there now exist untreatable cases of malaria. Alternative control measures are urgently needed. An understanding of how proteins essential to parasite survival operate may identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention against this devastating disease.Read moreRead less
Application Of Protein Microarrays To Develop A Cross-Species Malaria Vaccine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,821.00
Summary
Malaria remains a significant public health problem worldwide. Five species of malaria parasites infect humans. The ideal vaccine would be effective against all five species. Using a novel protein microarray approach, we will identify Plasmodium proteins that may be excellent targets of a cross-species malaria vaccine. This research will build on Australia's current strengths in biotechnology and will result in significant economic benefits by facilitating the development of a malaria vaccine.
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 Analyses Of The Major Merozoite Surface Protein Of Malaria Parasites
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$70,285.00
Summary
In this project we aim to learn about the function of one of the leading malaria vaccine candidates, merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1). Although a promising candidate, little is known about the role of this protein in the invasion by parasites of red blood cells or of the likelihood that the parasites will adapt to avoid vaccines based on MSP-1. To address these issues we propose to use the powerful new technology of parasite transfection, that is the ability to insert DNA into parasites to sp ....In this project we aim to learn about the function of one of the leading malaria vaccine candidates, merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1). Although a promising candidate, little is known about the role of this protein in the invasion by parasites of red blood cells or of the likelihood that the parasites will adapt to avoid vaccines based on MSP-1. To address these issues we propose to use the powerful new technology of parasite transfection, that is the ability to insert DNA into parasites to specifically alter its genetic code. We have pioneered this technology and have developed many of the most effective tools for the process. Insight gained from these studies is likely to influence significantly the design and potential uses of MSP-1 as a vaccine to control malaria.Read moreRead less
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.