Malaria Research and Control

Assessment of different techniques and markers to distinguish recrudescence from new infection in an antimalarial therapeutic efficacy study conducted in Rwanda

This study compares markers and algorithms for distinguishing recrudescence from new infection in malaria treatment trials, finding SNP-rich markers provide the most consistent results.

Multitask deep learning for the emulation and calibration of an agent-based malaria transmission model

This paper develops a multitask deep learning emulator to calibrate an agent-based malaria transmission model using simulations and real-world data.

Cryo-EM structure of endogenous Plasmodium falciparum Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 fertilization complex

The paper determines the cryo-EM structure of the Plasmodium falciparum Pfs230-Pfs48/45 fertilization complex and identifies domains critical for function and vaccine design.

A novel locus associated with decreased susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to lumefantrine and dihydroartemisinin has emerged and spread in Uganda

Exposure to pyrethroid insecticides modulates immunity of Anopheles against Plasmodium falciparum

This study shows that sub-lethal pyrethroid exposure in Anopheles mosquitoes reduces Plasmodium falciparum transmission by increasing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which activate an immune pathway and destroy ookinetes.

Virus-like particle vaccines targeting a key epitope in circumsporozoite protein provide sterilizing immunity against malaria

This study evaluates virus-like particle vaccines targeting a specific CSP epitope, showing that structural context and adjuvant combinations enhance antibody responses and sterilizing immunity against malaria.

plasmoRUtils: A one-stop R Package for Plasmodium and other Apicomplexan parasite-related Bioinformatics analysis

plasmoRUtils streamlines bioinformatics analysis for Apicomplexan parasites by integrating data retrieval, harmonization, and analysis tools within R.

The Plasmepsin-Piperaquine Paradox Persists

This study uses CRISPR/Cas9 to knockout plasmepsin II and III in Cambodian malaria parasites, showing increased sensitivity to piperaquine and linking plasmepsin gene copy numbers to PPQ resistance.

Traction force generation in motile malaria parasites is modulated by the Plasmodium adhesin TLP

This study uses traction force microscopy to show that TLP modulates force generation in malaria sporozoites during gliding motility.

An all-in-one pipeline for the in vitro discovery and in vivo testing of Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission blocking drugs

The paper develops an in vitro and in vivo platform for testing malaria transmission-blocking drugs using engineered Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes and humanized mice.

Deconvolution of the on-target activity of plasmepsin V peptidomimetics in P. falciparum parasites

This study investigates the on-target activity of plasmepsin V peptidomimetics in Plasmodium falciparum by combining chemoproteomic methods and genetic validation.

Continental-scale genomic surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum malaria with rapid nanopore sequencing

The paper develops a rapid, cost-effective nanopore sequencing protocol and bioinformatics dashboard for continental-scale genomic surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.

Uncovering the genetic diversity of the malaria parasite antigen MSP2 across Sub-Saharan Africa

The paper analyzes genetic diversity of the malaria parasite antigen MSP2 in Sub-Saharan Africa using PCR and long-read sequencing, revealing extensive sequence variation and regional prevalence patterns.

Spatiotemporal analysis of sporozoite maturation and infectivity

This study investigates the spatiotemporal maturation and infectivity of Plasmodium sporozoites across different mosquito stages, showing a gradient of infectivity from midgut to saliva.

The vaccine candidate Liver Stage Antigen 3 is exported during Plasmodium falciparum infection and required for liver-stage development in humanized mice

The paper identifies LSA3 as an exported protein essential for Plasmodium falciparum liver-stage development and presents it as a potential vaccine candidate.

Advantages of outcrossing in Plasmodium falciparum: insights from genetic crosses using fluorescent labelled parasites

The paper investigates the fitness consequences of selfing and outcrossing in malaria parasites using fluorescent-labelled clones and finds an outcrossing advantage linked to faster sporozoite maturation and increased recombination.

The molecular basis of coordinated antigen switching enabling chronic infection by human malaria parasites

This study identifies the molecular mechanism by which var2csa functions as a switching hub to coordinate var gene expression in Plasmodium falciparum, enabling antigenic variation and chronic infection.

An atlas of positive selection in the genomes of major malaria vectors

The paper identifies and characterizes genomic regions under positive selection in malaria vectors using whole-genome sequencing data from 4,306 mosquitoes across twenty-one countries.

Functional Phenotyping of MMV Pandemic Response Box Identifies Stage-specific inhibitors Against Blood stage Plasmodium

The paper screens a chemical library to identify stage-specific inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum, finding compounds with nanomolar potency and distinct mechanisms against different parasite stages.

Variance partition reveals contrasting random effect contributions on the density and species composition of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes

The paper quantifies random effects on mosquito density and species composition, finding greater between-village variation than between-house or year.

Malaria vector diversity, transmission, and insecticide resistance, in island communities along the Volta Lake in southern Ghana.

This study examines malaria vector diversity, transmission, and insecticide resistance in island communities along Volta Lake, finding high indoor biting and sporozoite rates with low resistance mutation frequencies.

An orally available PfPKG inhibitor blocks sporozoite infection of the liver

This paper describes RUPB-61, an orally available PfPKG inhibitor that prevents liver infection by malaria sporozoites and shows activity against drug-resistant isolates.

Essential role for HSP40 in asexual replication and thermotolerance of malaria parasites

This study shows HSP40 is essential for malaria parasite asexual replication and survival at febrile temperatures, with a specific role in heat shock tolerance rather than proteotoxic stress.

Natural product-mediated reaction hijacking mechanism validates Plasmodium aspartyl-tRNA synthetase as an antimalarial drug target

This study identifies Plasmodium aspartyl-tRNA synthetase as an antimalarial target by showing how natural products inhibit protein translation through reaction hijacking.

Characterization of the Plasmodium falciparum homologue of Vps16, a member of the Vps-2 C tethering complex.

This study characterizes the Plasmodium falciparum Vps16 orthologue, showing its structural conservation and expression throughout the erythrocytic cycle, but finds no functional role through knockdown experiments.

Navigating parasite antigen genetic diversity in the design of Plasmodium vivax serological exposure markers for malaria

This study evaluates how genetic diversity in Plasmodium vivax antigens affects serological markers for malaria exposure and finds that using multiple antigens can improve detection accuracy.

Novel single-cell preservation and RNA sequencing technology unlocks field studies for Plasmodium natural infections

This paper develops a novel single-cell RNA sequencing technology for Plasmodium natural infections, enabling field studies in low-resource settings by validating sample preparation methods and generating a comprehensive dataset.

Taurine is a Natural Host Cytoadhesion Inhibitor in Asymptomatic Malaria Cases

This study identifies taurine as a host metabolite that inhibits malaria parasite cytoadhesion in asymptomatic infections, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target.

Influence of mould growth and outdoor exposure on the efficacy of attractive targeted sugar baits in western kenya.

This study examines how mould growth and outdoor exposure affect the efficacy of attractive targeted sugar baits (ATSBs) against Anopheles arabiensis, finding a non-significant reduction in feeding rates but significant decline in mortality on mouldy ATSBs.

Hexosamine Biosynthesis Disruption Impairs GPI Production and Arrests Plasmodium falciparum Growth at Schizont Stages

This study shows that disrupting the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway in Plasmodium falciparum blocks GPI production, arrests parasite growth, and prevents egress from host cells.