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
Regulation Of Actin Polymerization During Malaria Parasite Invasion Of The Human Erythrocyte
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$282,790.00
Summary
Malaria parasites depend on successful invasion of red blood cells for their survival. Invasion is powered by a molecular motor based on two key proteins: actin and myosin. Non-specific drugs that inhibit parasite actin block invasion, demonstrating how important its regulation is to parasite success. This project will study several newly identified malaria actin-regulators, aiming to identify new drug targets that will block malaria actin function, stop motility and as such prevent disease.
Computational Methods For The Analysis Of Next Generation Sequence Data In Human Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
Modern DNA sequencing technologies generate data at an unprecedented rate, providing the opportunity to develop deep insights into human disease. We can now sequence a tumour genome in a matter of weeks, or assay epigenetic marks in the malaria parasite genome, but these data raise new analysis challenges requiring new statistical and computational methods to solve. This fellowship will support the development of such new methods and will contribute to basic discoveries in human disease.
T-follicular Helper Cell Subtypes That Induce Protective Anti-malaria Antibodies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Malaria causes significant disease burden globally. Currently there are no malarial vaccines that are suitable for widespread use. The development of effective vaccines is hampered by limited understanding of how the human immune system fights malaria. This project will use human samples collected to investigate how human blood cells activate the immune system to fight malaria. This research will identify avenues to improve the design of malaria vaccines in the future.
The extraordinary virulence of malaria parasites is in part due to their ability to export hundreds of proteins into their host cell to obtain nutrients and avoid the immune system. Recently the investigator has discovered the machinery that provides the gateway for these proteins to enter the host cell. She now aims to characterise this machinery and dissect its functional significance in vivo, so that strategies that block this crucial process can be developed to kill the parasite.
Unravelling Plasmodium Vivax Transmission To Anopheles Mosquitoes: Role Of Naturally Acquired Transmission Blocking Immunity And Efficacy Of Novel Vaccine And Drug Candidates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
This project is aimed at better understanding transmission of P. vivax, the world’s most widely spread malaria parasite. Using a newly established experimental platform that enables us to feed P. vivax infected blood to Anopheles farauti mosquitoes, we can start researching factors in human blood that determine P. vivax infection success, test new vaccine and drug candidates for their ability to block transmission and thus significantly advance science surrounding this neglected parasite.
Dissecting The Interactions Of Antimalarial Drugs With The Two Key Determinants Of Drug Resistance In The Malaria Parasite - The 'chloroquine Resistance Transporter' And The 'multidrug Resistance Transporter 1'
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
The malaria parasite is a single-celled organism which invades the red blood cells of its host. The aim of this fellowship is to study two proteins that are central to the parasite’s ability to evade the toxic effects of a number of drugs. The parasite's susceptibility to chloroquine, and other drugs, is altered by small changes in these proteins. This work will advance our understanding of the increasingly widespread phenomenon of antimalarial drug resistance, and of how it may be overcome.