The Role Of Phosphorylation And Signalling For Invasion Of Plasmodium Falciparum Into Human Erythrocytes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
The intracellular signals that govern Plasmodium falciparum malaria invasion of the red blood cell are poorly understood. It is likely calcium dependent phosphorylation leads to recruitment and activation of a cascade of proteins. This study combines a break-through in purification of viable P. falciparum merozoites with proteomic analysis of phosphorylation states to assess intracellular signalling. It is expected the processes identified will be unique to P. falciparum and targetable by drugs.
The Na+-H+ Exchanger And H+-pumping Pyrophosphatases Of The Malaria Parasite
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$664,604.00
Summary
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a single-celled parasite. The disease kills up to 2 million people each year and the parasite is becoming increasingly resistant to available drugs. This work focuses on the mechanisms by which the parasite controls its internal ion concentrations. These mechanisms may be new drug targets, and they may also play a role in antimalarial drug resistance. For both of these reasons it is important that we understand them.
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