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.
Probing sexual transformation of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, using novel imaging modalities. Malaria parasites adopt a characteristic banana shape prior to sexual recombination; without this shape change disease transmission via mosquitoes cannot occur. This project will use advanced imaging technologies to study sexual recombination of malaria with a view to preventing the millions of deaths due to malaria each year.
Post-genomic investigation of the relict plastid and mitochondrion of malaria parasites. Malaria is a major global health problem. The malaria parasite has two substructures, a relict chloroplast and a mitochondrion, that are excellent targets for new and existing drugs. However, we do not know the key functions of these two compartments. The entire genetic blueprint (genome) is now available for the malaria parasite and I propose to determine exactly which parts of the genome service the rel ....Post-genomic investigation of the relict plastid and mitochondrion of malaria parasites. Malaria is a major global health problem. The malaria parasite has two substructures, a relict chloroplast and a mitochondrion, that are excellent targets for new and existing drugs. However, we do not know the key functions of these two compartments. The entire genetic blueprint (genome) is now available for the malaria parasite and I propose to determine exactly which parts of the genome service the relict chloroplast and mitochondria. This will sketch out a picture of their inner workings. Armed with this information we can take a rational approach to seeking an Achilles? Heel of malaria against which parasite-specific drugs can be developed.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100090
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,000.00
Summary
Three-dimensional cryo electron microscopy facility. The three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy facility will let us visualise plants, pathogens and nanomachines with resolution not previously possible allowing us to see into cells and diseases with vastly more detail. Our world-class experts will provide regional and national researchers access to cutting-edge technology complementary to the Australian Synchrotron.
Investigating why malaria parasites have a unique translocon. This project aims to explore the mechanism that enables malaria parasites to thrive in their host cells. Parasites that cause the disease malaria reside inside erythrocytes, a very basic cell that lacks a vesicular trafficking pathway. To survive and thrive in this environment, the parasite has evolved a completely unique cell biological phenomenon termed PTEX to transport its proteins into the host cell. The aim of this project is to ....Investigating why malaria parasites have a unique translocon. This project aims to explore the mechanism that enables malaria parasites to thrive in their host cells. Parasites that cause the disease malaria reside inside erythrocytes, a very basic cell that lacks a vesicular trafficking pathway. To survive and thrive in this environment, the parasite has evolved a completely unique cell biological phenomenon termed PTEX to transport its proteins into the host cell. The aim of this project is to determine how this novel PTEX machinery exports proteins into erythrocytes and whether PTEX is also required for parasite survival during the initial stages of a host infection when malaria reside in hepatocytes.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100011
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$346,439.00
Summary
Spinning disk confocal microscope with dual stages. Spinning disk confocal microscope with dual stages: This custom-built spinning disk confocal microscope with rotational stages will constitute an internationally unique platform. The system has the capability of rapidly monitoring cells in growing biological specimens under changing environments. It offers an integrated platform for multiple imaging strategies, including confocal and Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. The ....Spinning disk confocal microscope with dual stages. Spinning disk confocal microscope with dual stages: This custom-built spinning disk confocal microscope with rotational stages will constitute an internationally unique platform. The system has the capability of rapidly monitoring cells in growing biological specimens under changing environments. It offers an integrated platform for multiple imaging strategies, including confocal and Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. The system will reside in core facilities with open access to a broad research community. The system may be used to monitor a wide variety of cells and molecules, and will offer capabilities that are of importance to understand cell trafficking, disease and signalling, plant biomass production, and climate change.Read moreRead less
Composition, assembly and functions of the pellicle of apicomplexan parasites: a structure pivotal to disease transmission and progression. Apicomplexan parasites are successful agents of disease (e.g. malaria) due to their superb ability to quickly invade host cells and generate many more parasites. This project will study the dedicated structures beneath the parasite cell covering that are responsible for these abilities to help refine strategies for combating apicomplexan diseases.