Malaria Research and Control

Jumonji-C demethylase 2 interacts with a nucleosome component to modulate chromatin state in Plasmodium falciparum

This study shows that PfJmjC2 interacts with histone H2A to modulate chromatin structure in P. falciparum, affecting nucleosome stability and epigenetic balance without altering var gene transcription.

Evaluating the potential of cross-species neutralization of anti-PfCyRPA and anti-PfRIPR Monoclonal Antibodies

This study evaluates the cross-species neutralization potential of monoclonal antibodies against PfCyRPA and PfRIPR against P. knowlesi, finding minimal inhibition despite partial epitope conservation.

Heterogeneous constraint and adaptation across the malaria parasite life cycle

The paper examines how evolutionary forces differ across life stages of Plasmodium falciparum, finding reduced selection efficacy in genes expressed in sporozoites.

Plasmodium falciparum exploits NUAK1 to establish infection in human erythrocytes

This study identifies NUAK1 as a critical host factor for Plasmodium falciparum infection and shows that NUAK1 inhibitors block parasite growth.

mRNA vaccination overcomes hemozoin-mediated impairment of whole parasite vaccine efficacy for malaria

This study shows that an mRNA vaccine can overcome hemozoin-mediated impairment of RAS vaccine efficacy in malaria-exposed mice by restoring CD8+ T cell responses and protection.

PEG400 regulates Falcipain 2 activity through an unprecedented allosteric mechanism

This study reveals that PEG400 regulates Falcipain-2 activity through an allosteric mechanism, inhibiting small peptide substrates but enhancing hemoglobin degradation.

Chemical propulsion of hemozoin crystal motion in malaria parasites

This paper identifies hydrogen peroxide-driven catalytic motion of hemozoin crystals in malaria parasites, revealing them as self-propelled nanoparticles that reduce oxidative stress.

A male-drive female-sterile system for the self-limited control of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae

This paper proposes a self-limiting gene drive strategy called MDFS to suppress malaria mosquito populations by causing female sterility while allowing fertile males to spread the trait.

PfATP2 is an essential flippase on the Plasmodium falciparum surface that influences parasite sensitivity to antiplasmodial compounds

This study identifies PfATP2 as a surface flippase essential for Plasmodium falciparum growth and a target of antimalarial compounds, showing its role in phosphatidylserine internalization and drug sensitivity.

Must epidemiologically impactful vector control interventions disrupt mosquito population structure? A case study of a cluster-randomised controlled trial.

This study analyzes genetic data from a mosquito control trial to assess if vector control impacts population structure, finding no significant genetic changes despite reduced vector density.

Screening of a chemogenetic library unveils dual-stage antimalarials with low cytotoxicity

This study screens a chemogenetic library to identify antimalarial compounds with dual-stage activity against Plasmodium liver and blood stages, showing low cytotoxicity.

A genetically encoded marker for imaging membranes of Plasmodium

The paper introduces FLUMMI, a peptide marker for imaging internal membranes in Plasmodium without affecting viability, and shows its compatibility with live-cell and expansion microscopy.

Persistence of residual Anopheles gambiae populations associated with frontier human settlements and nocturnal livelihood-related activities at the fringes of a large conservation area in southern Tanzania

This study identifies residual Anopheles gambiae populations in frontier communities in Tanzania linked to nocturnal livelihood activities, suggesting potential for re-emergence despite LLIN coverage.

Targeting Aurora kinases as essential cell cycle regulators to deliver multi-stage antimalarials against Plasmodium falciparum

The paper identifies PfArk1 as a key target for antimalarial drugs by showing that inhibiting it disrupts parasite mitosis and nuclear division.

Mapping Plasmodium transitions and interactions in the Anopheles female

This study uses single-cell RNA sequencing to map Plasmodium transitions and interactions in Anopheles mosquitoes, identifying key molecular processes and potential targets for transmission-blocking strategies.

Innate immune responses to Plasmodium falciparum disrupt the blood-brain barrier

The paper investigates how innate immune responses to Plasmodium falciparum contribute to blood-brain barrier disruption in cerebral malaria using an in vitro model.

4-Nitrobenzoate inhibits 4-hydroxybenzoate polyprenyltransferase in malaria parasites and enhances atovaquone efficacy

This study shows that 4-nitrobenzoate inhibits 4-HPT in malaria parasites, enhances atovaquone efficacy in vitro and in vivo, and identifies chemical requirements for this potentiation.

Experimental Genetics Validation of Plasmodium falciparum Gametogenesis Essential Protein 1 (GEP1) as a Transmission Blocking Target

This study validates GEP1 as a critical gene for gametogenesis in P. falciparum, showing its essential role in gamete activation and identifying genetic variants in field samples.

Ecological diversity of Anopheles gambiae s.l. and insecticide resistance across refugee camps in Kenya

The paper surveys Anopheles mosquito species and insecticide resistance in refugee camps in Kenya, finding spatial variation in species composition and high pyrethroid resistance in some populations.

Plasmodium falciparum Research in Africa from 2000 to 2024: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Visualisation

This study reviews P. falciparum research in Africa from 2000 to 2024, showing growth in publications and key themes, but highlighting gaps in genomic surveillance and local collaboration.

Liver sinusoid constraints make random search of CD8 T cells for Plasmodium parasites efficient

The paper shows that random search by CD8 T cells for Plasmodium parasites is efficient in liver sinusoids, challenging the need for attraction-based search.

Plasmodium falciparum diacylglycerol acyltransferase maintains phospholipid homeostasis to regulate sexual differentiation, ER stress, and cytoadhesion

This study shows that PfDGAT is essential for Plasmodium falciparum survival by maintaining phospholipid homeostasis, regulating sexual differentiation, ER stress, and cytoadhesion.

Jumonji-C domain containing demethylase 1 is critical for heterochromatin organization in Plasmodium falciparum

This study identifies PfJmjC1 as a key regulator of heterochromatin organization in Plasmodium falciparum, showing its role in genome architecture and parasite life cycle.

A Plasmodium falciparum redox survival mechanism licenses killing by artemisinins

This study identifies a Plasmodium falciparum redox survival mechanism involving K13 that enables artemisinin-induced death in resistant strains.

Inhibition of PfCLK3 a master regulator of malaria parasite RNA-splicing provides the basis for a radical cure for malaria

This study shows that inhibiting PfCLK3 disrupts RNA-splicing in malaria parasites, affecting 1125 genes and providing a novel mechanism for a radical cure.

PfK13-associated artemisinin resistance slows drug activation and enhances antioxidant defence, which can be overcome with sulforaphane.

This study identifies PfK13 mutations as drivers of artemisinin resistance by enhancing antioxidant defenses, which can be counteracted by sulforaphane.

Membrane-permeable 5-fluorodeoxyuridine triphosphate derivatives inhibit the proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum

The paper tests cell-permeable 5-fluorodeoxyuridine triphosphate derivatives against Plasmodium falciparum and finds they inhibit parasite proliferation while being selectively rescued by thymidine in human cells.

Defining the minimal enzymatic requirements for fatty acid scavenging from lysophosphatidylcholine by erythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum

This study identifies PARE as a third enzyme required for Plasmodium falciparum to scavenge fatty acids from lysophosphatidylcholine, showing that its loss combined with XL2/XLH4 deficiency impairs parasite survival.

Apicortin defines the Plasmodium apical conoid body during transmission but is dispensable for the parasite life cycle

This study shows Apicortin is localized to the apical conoid body of Plasmodium berghei during transmission but is not essential for parasite development or transmission.

Biting time of day in malaria mosquitoes is modulated by nutritional status

This study shows that nutritional status affects the timing of host-seeking behavior in malaria mosquitoes, with less nutritious mosquitoes biting earlier in the night.