Malaria Research and Control

Age is an intrinsic driver of inflammatory responses to malaria

The paper investigates age-related differences in inflammatory responses to malaria, finding that adults exhibit heightened inflammatory cytokine production and distinct transcriptional responses compared to children.

The reticulocyte restriction: invasion ligand RBP1a of Plasmodium vivax targets human TfR1, prohibitin-2, and basigin

This paper identifies new receptors for Plasmodium vivax invasion, including prohibitin-2, using erythroid cell lines as reticulocyte surrogates and proximity labeling.

Yellow shapes mosquito pigmentation and vector competence to Plasmodium berghei

This study shows that the yellow gene in Anopheles coluzzii affects pigmentation and increases susceptibility to Plasmodium berghei through microbiota-dependent mechanisms.

The regulation of virulence gene expression is controlled by phase separation of heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) in Plasmodium falciparum

This study shows that PfHP1 phase separation controls var gene silencing in P. falciparum by forming heterochromatin clusters, leading to antigenic variation.

Degradation of ribosomal RNA during Plasmodium falciparum gametocytogenesis

This study investigates rRNA dynamics in Plasmodium falciparum during gametocytogenesis, revealing specific degradation patterns and shifts in rRNA types across developmental stages.

Genomic diversity of the African malaria vector Anopheles funestus

The paper analyzes genomic diversity in Anopheles funestus across Africa, identifying genetic variation, adaptation signals, and conservation of a gene drive target.

Therapeutic Potential of Ocimum basilicum in Diabetes and Malaria Co-morbidity: Evidence from Parasitemia, Biochemical, and Coagulation Outcomes in Mice

This study evaluates the effects of Ocimum basilicum extract on parasitemia, biochemical markers, and coagulation in diabetic mice with malaria, showing significant reductions in parasitemia and organ damage.

Defining the roles of NKG7 expressed by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells during malaria

This study investigates the role of NKG7 in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells during malaria, showing protective and cell-intrinsic functions in different infection models and human infections.

Convenient screening for drug resistance mutations from historical febrile malaria samples across Kenya

This study screens historical febrile malaria samples from Kenya to track antimalarial resistance mutations over time, finding no WHO-validated artemisin resistance mutations but high prevalence of other resistance markers.

Sickle cell status skews malaria parasite genotype at infection

The paper shows that HbS carriers have parasites with Pfsa+ alleles, suggesting these alleles may reduce symptomatic malaria in HbS carriers.

Identification of α-azacyclic acetamide-based inhibitors of P. falciparum Na+ pump (PfATP4) with fast-killing asexual blood-stage antimalarial activity by phenotypic screening

This study identifies new antimalarial compounds targeting PfATP4 through phenotypic screening, showing fast-killing activity and resistance patterns consistent with PfATP4 inhibition.

Febrile temperature enhances Plasmodium falciparum and neutrophil adhesion by disrupting the endothelial glycocalyx

The paper shows that fever increases adhesion of malaria parasites and neutrophils to brain blood vessels by damaging the endothelial glycocalyx, suggesting antipyretics could reduce disease severity.

Permethrin elicits chemoreceptive responses on different Anopheles gambiae sensory appendages.

This study investigates how Anopheles gambiae detects permethrin through different sensory appendages, finding that tarsi mediate behavioral responses while antennae show neural activity, supporting chemosensory receptor involvement.

Effect of pharmacokinetically-relevant ivermectin concentrations on survivorship and fecundity of Anopheles coluzzii and Aedes aegypti in Burkina Faso: a laboratory experimental study

This study evaluates the impact of ivermectin concentrations on survival and fecundity of Anopheles coluzzii and Aedes aegypti, finding significant effects on An. coluzzii but not Ae. aegypti.

A divergent cyclic nucleotide binding protein promotes Plasmodium ookinete infection of the mosquito

This study identifies a cyclic nucleotide binding protein, CBP-O, essential for Plasmodium ookinete invasion of mosquitoes, revealing its role in transmitting malaria parasites.

Geographical variation drives adaptive equilibrium of the P. falciparum sickle-associated mutations

The paper investigates how geographical variation influences the adaptive evolution of Plasmodium falciparum mutations that counteract sickle cell trait protection.

Differential importance of MSP4 and MSP5 for infection of red blood cells between human infecting malaria parasites

This study compares the roles of MSP4 and MSP5 in red blood cell invasion across malaria species, showing differential importance and highlighting MSP5 as a potential vaccine target for P. knowlesi and P. vivax.

Dietary L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) augments cuticular melanization in Anopheles mosquitos while reducing their lifespan and malaria parasite burden

This study shows dietary L-DOPA increases melanization, immunity, and reduces lifespan in Anopheles mosquitoes, while lowering malaria parasite burden.

Effects of recombination on multi-drug resistance evolution in Plasmodium falciparum malaria

This paper models recombination's impact on multi-drug resistance evolution in malaria, showing that most recombinant genotypes arise from multi-clonal infections and that ACT strategies reduce treatment failures and delay resistance.

Structural characterization of MAM01 and other cost-effective engineered monoclonal antibodies for malaria prevention

The paper determines the crystal structures of engineered monoclonal antibodies MAM01 and MS-1805 in complex with Plasmodium falciparum CSP, showing retained binding affinity and no significant conformational changes.

Real-time Malaria Detection in the Amazon Rainforest via Drone-Collected eDNA and Portable qPCR

The paper develops a drone-based eDNA sampling and portable qPCR method for real-time malaria detection in the Amazon, using Plasmodium DNA and howler monkey acoustic data.

Genetic surveillance of Plasmodium-Anopheles compatibility markers during Anopheles stephensi associated malaria outbreak

The paper analyzes P47 and P47Rec sequences from Anopheles stephensi during a malaria outbreak to determine the origin of Plasmodium and identify compatibility markers.

LFA-1 Interaction with GBP-130 on Plasmodium falciparum-infected Red Blood Cells mediates NK Cell Activation and Parasite Control

This study identifies PfGBP-130 as the ligand for LFA-1 on Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells, showing it mediates NK cell activation and parasite control.

Benchmarking and Optimization of Methods for the Detection of Identity-By-Descent in High-Recombining Plasmodium falciparum

This study benchmarks IBD detection tools for Plasmodium falciparum, showing that optimized parameters improve accuracy, especially for Ne estimation, and recommends hmmIBD for quality-sensitive analyses.

Modelling the effects of adult emergence on the surveillance and age distribution of medically important mosquitoes

The paper models how adult mosquito emergence affects age distribution and surveillance metrics, showing emergence variability drives age structure heterogeneity.

Atovaquone-venturicidin A combination is synergistic against Plasmodium falciparum

The paper shows that atovaquone and venturicidin A work together to kill Plasmodium falciparum by blocking two pathways that generate mitochondrial membrane potential.

Measuring Growth, Resistance and Recovery after Artemisinin Treatment of Plasmodium falciparum in a semi-high-throughput Assay

This paper develops and validates a qPCR-based assay to measure growth, resistance, and recovery of Plasmodium falciparum after artemisinin treatment, showing distinct phenotypes with independent genetic determinants.

Identifying a next-generation antimalarial trioxolane in a landscape of artemisinin partial resistance

The paper describes the discovery of new antimalarial trioxolanes effective against artemisinin-resistant parasites and their potential as development candidates for malaria treatment.

Temperature modulates the dissemination potential of Microsporidia MB, a malaria-blocking endosymbiont of Anopheles mosquitoes

This study shows that warmer temperatures increase the dissemination potential of Microsporidia MB, a malaria-blocking endosymbiont of Anopheles mosquitoes, by accelerating larval development and infection rates.

Recombinant Expression and Purification of Plasmodium Heme Detoxification Protein in E. coli: Challenges and Discoveries

This study attempts to express and purify the Plasmodium heme detoxification protein in E. coli but finds that only a truncated variant is soluble, though it lacks heme-to-Hz transformation activity.