T. Spielmann

A system for functional studies of the major virulence factor of malaria parasites

The paper develops a system to study PfEMP1, a key malaria parasite virulence factor, by generating parasites expressing a single PfEMP1 variant and enabling genome edits to investigate its function.

Identification of domains in Plasmodium falciparum proteins of unknown function using DALI search on Alphafold predictions

This study identifies functional domains in uncharacterized Plasmodium falciparum proteins using Alphafold predictions and DALI search, revealing potential roles in RNA processing and transcription.

Identification of a Rabenosyn-5 like protein and Rab5b in host cell cytosol uptake reveals conservation of endosomal transport in malaria parasites

This study identifies a Rbsn5-like protein and Rab5b in malaria parasites, showing they function in endosomal transport of host cell cytosol, revealing conservation of endosomal mechanisms despite sequence divergence.

The Kelch13 compartment is a hub of highly divergent vesicle trafficking proteins in malaria parasites

The paper identifies novel proteins in the K13 compartment of malaria parasites and shows they are involved in endocytosis and ART resistance, with some showing unique domain structures.

Gene-by-gene screen of the unknown proteins encoded on P. falciparum chromosome 3

This study performs a gene-by-gene screen of non-secretory proteins on P. falciparum chromosome 3 to identify their cellular location, essentiality, and function, revealing key parasite-specific processes.

Impact of different mutations on Kelch13 protein levels, ART resistance and fitness cost in Plasmodium falciparum parasites

This study examines how mutations in K13 and related genes affect ART resistance, protein levels, and fitness cost in Plasmodium falciparum parasites, finding no benefit from double mutations but highlighting the fitness cost of ubp1R3138H.

An unusual trafficking domain in MSRP6 defines a complex needed for Maurer's clefts anchoring and maintenance in P. falciparum infected red blood cells

The paper identifies a novel domain in MSRP6 that mediates Maurer's clefts anchoring and maintenance in P. falciparum, but shows these functions are dispensable for PfEMP1 transport and cytoadherence.

Identification of novel inner membrane complex and apical annuli proteins of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

This study identifies new IMC and apical annuli proteins in Plasmodium falciparum using BioID proteomics and validates their localization.