Malaria Research and Control

Targeting anemia-induced CD71+ reticulocytes protects mice from Plasmodium infection

This study shows that pre-existing anemia increases Plasmodium infection risk by boosting reticulocyte counts, and anti-CD71 treatment reduces parasitemia in infected mice.

Remodeling of sporozoite microtubules during Plasmodium liver stage development

This study investigates microtubule dynamics during Plasmodium liver stage development and identifies C-terminal tubulin modifications as critical for parasite growth and transmission.

Glycosylation of Plasmodium falciparum TRAP supports sporozoite motility and invasion.

This study shows that glycosylation of PfTRAP's TSR domain is essential for sporozoite motility and invasion, as glyco-null mutants exhibit severe fitness defects.

Repertoire, function, and structure of serological antibodies induced by the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine

This study shows that the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine induces specific IgG antibodies targeting multiple CSP epitopes, contributing to its efficacy against P. falciparum malaria.

An evaluation of longitudinal Anopheles stephensi egg viability and resistance to desiccation over time

This study evaluates Anopheles stephensi egg viability and desiccation resistance over time, finding that eggs can remain viable under specific conditions but not under standard drying methods.

Under conditions of high wall shear stress, several PfEBA and PfRH ligands are important for Plasmodium falciparum malaria blood-stage growth

Nutrient stress dramatically increases malaria parasite clag2 copy number to increase host cell permeability and enable pathogen survival

The paper shows that malaria parasites increase clag2 copy number under nutrient stress to enhance host cell permeability and survival.

Significant variations in tolerance to clothianidin and pirimiphos-methyl in Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus populations during a dramatic malaria resurgence despite sustained indoor residual spraying in Uganda

In Tororo, Uganda, An. funestus tolerated clothianidin-sprayed walls better than An. gambiae yet was killed on pirimiphos-methyl walls up to 7 months post-spray, implicating it in the malaria resurgence.

An Accessible 3D HepG2/C3A Liver Spheroid Model Supporting the Complete Intrahepatocytic Lifecycle of Plasmodium falciparum

This paper introduces a 3D HepG2/C3A liver spheroid model that supports the complete intrahepatocytic lifecycle of Plasmodium falciparum, offering an accessible and reproducible alternative to existing models.

Functional insights into Plasmodium actin depolymerizing factor interactions with phosphoinositides

This study investigates how Plasmodium actin depolymerizing factors interact with phosphoinositides, revealing structural and functional differences between ADF1 and ADF2.

Phylogenetics and genomic variation of two genetically distinct Hepatocystis clades isolated from shotgun sequencing of wild primate hosts

This paper identifies two genetically distinct Hepatocystis clades in wild primates using low coverage whole genome sequencing and describes candidate hypervariable loci potentially involved in immune evasion and host adaptation.

Cethromycin Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics for Single Dose Cure of Plasmodium berghei Liver Stages

This study evaluates cethromycin's pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in curing Plasmodium berghei liver stages with a single dose.

Signatures of selection and mechanisms of insecticide resistance in Ugandan Anopheles funestus: Insights from embedding translational genomics into the LLINEUP cluster randomised trial.

This paper uses genomic surveillance in a cluster randomized trial to detect insecticide resistance variants in Ugandan Anopheles funestus and An. gambiae s.l., showing differential population responses to pyrethroid and PBO interventions.

Comparative attractiveness of Anopheles quadriannulatus and Anopheles arabiensis to humans estimated by comparing the relative abundance of these two species in larval samples, unbaited adult catches and human-baited adult catches.

This study compares the attractiveness of Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles quadriannulatus to humans by analyzing their abundance in larval samples and adult catches using different trapping methods.

Highly multiplex molecular inversion probe panel in Plasmodium falciparum targeting common SNPs approximates whole genome sequencing assessments for selection and relatedness

The paper develops a targeted sequencing panel for Plasmodium falciparum that approximates whole genome sequencing for population genetics analyses.

A Metabolite-Based Resistance Mechanism Against Malaria

The paper identifies unconjugated bilirubin as a protective metabolite against malaria by inhibiting parasite proliferation and hemozoin formation.

Plasmodium falciparum expresses fewer var genes at lower levels during asymptomatic dry season infections than clinical malaria cases

The paper compares var gene expression in asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections and clinical malaria cases during dry and wet seasons in Mali, finding fewer and lower-level var transcripts in asymptomatic carriers.

Multi-System Dysregulation in Placental Malaria Contributes to Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in Mice

This study infects pregnant mice with Plasmodium berghei at different gestational stages to investigate how placental malaria affects perinatal outcomes and identifies immune and hormonal changes associated with adverse effects.

Heterochromatin de novo formation and maintenance in P. falciparum

The paper identifies DNA sequence cis determinants that drive heterochromatin nucleation and maintenance in Plasmodium falciparum using genetic screening and chromatin immunoprecipitation.

Plasmodium falciparum subverts neutrophil function via host miR-451a loaded extracellular vesicles driving bacterial superinfection susceptibility

This study shows that Plasmodium falciparum uses extracellular vesicles to deliver miR-451a to neutrophils, impairing their antimicrobial function and increasing susceptibility to bacterial superinfections.

A Plasmodium lipase is critical for the disruption of the parasitophorous vacuole membrane and egress of hepatic merozoites.

This study identifies UIS28 as a lipase critical for PVM disruption and egress of hepatic merozoites in Plasmodium berghei.

Genome structural variants shape adaptive success of an invasive urban malaria vector Anopheles stephensi

This study identifies structural variants in Anopheles stephensi that contribute to its adaptive success in invasive environments.

Expression, purification and preliminary pharmacological characterization of the Plasmodium falciparum membrane-bound pyrophosphatase type 1

This study expresses, purifies, and characterizes the Plasmodium falciparum mPPase, identifying three compounds with micromolar IC50 activity against it.

Estimating multiplicity of infection, haplotype frequencies, and linkage disequilibria from multi-allelic markers for molecular disease surveillance

The paper introduces a statistical framework to estimate haplotype frequencies, multiplicity of infection, and linkage disequilibrium from multi-allelic markers, validated on malaria data from Cameroon.

Long lived liver-resident memory T cells of biased specificities for abundant sporozoite antigens drive malaria protection by radiation-attenuated sporozoite vaccination

This study shows that RAS vaccination generates long-lived liver-resident memory T cells specific for abundant sporozoite antigens, which mediate protection but may limit vaccine efficacy against diverse parasite strains.

Sublethal insecticide exposure of larvae affects the blood-feeding behaviour of adult mosquitoes

This study shows that sublethal insecticide exposure during larval development affects adult mosquito blood-feeding behavior and egg-laying patterns, with implications for disease transmission.

Selective targeting of Plasmodium falciparum hexose transporter by phytochemical Ginsenoside Rg1 disrupts glucose metabolism and block development of parasite

This study identifies Ginsenoside Rg1 as a PfHT1 inhibitor that disrupts glucose metabolism and inhibits growth of both ART-sensitive and resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites.

PfPPM2 signalling regulates asexual division and sexual conversion of human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

This study identifies PfPPM2 as a signaling pathway regulator that controls asexual division and sexual conversion in Plasmodium falciparum by modulating HP1 and histone H3 phosphorylation.

Pyrethroid resistance intensity in Anopheles gambiae s.l. mosquito populations from Rwanda

This study assesses pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles gambiae s.l. mosquitoes across Rwanda, finding high resistance in several districts and no recovery after PBO exposure.

Malaria parasite population genomics during an elimination program in Eastern Myanmar

This study analyzes malaria parasite population genomics during an elimination program in Myanmar, finding genetic depauperation, localized transmission, and a dominant kelch13-R561H genotype in 2020.