J. C. Niles

A conserved complex of microneme proteins mediates rhoptry discharge in Toxoplasma

The paper identifies a conserved microneme protein complex, CLAMP-SPATR-CLIP, essential for rhoptry discharge in Toxoplasma gondii.

Preclinical characterization and target validation of the antimalarial pantothenamide MMV693183

This paper characterizes MMV693183, a novel antimalarial compound targeting acetyl-CoA synthetase, showing in vitro and in vivo efficacy against Plasmodium species and transmission blocking.

Selective expression of variant surface antigens enables Plasmodium falciparum to evade immune clearance in vivo

This study identifies parasite variant surface antigens that help Plasmodium falciparum evade immune clearance in vivo using a humanized mouse model.

An integrated platform for genome engineering and gene expression perturbation in Plasmodium falciparum

This paper develops a DNA assembly framework to overcome challenges in genome engineering for Plasmodium falciparum by using linear plasmids for high AT-content DNA constructs.

Plasmodium falciparum Niemann-Pick Type C1-Related Protein is a Druggable Target Required for Parasite Membrane Homeostasis

This study identifies PfNCR1 as a critical protein for Plasmodium falciparum membrane homeostasis and shows it is a potential druggable target for antimalarial drugs.

Atg8 is essential specifically for an autophagy-independent function in apicoplast biogenesis in blood-stage malaria parasites

This study shows that Atg8 is essential for apicoplast biogenesis in malaria parasites, specifically for its segregation during replication, independent of autophagy.

Small molecule inhibition of apicomplexan FtsH1 disrupts plastid biogenesis in human pathogens

The paper identifies FtsH1 as a novel druggable target for antimalarial drugs by showing that its inhibition disrupts apicoplast biogenesis in Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii.