Malaria Research and Control

Validated Antimalarial Drug Target Discovery using Genome-Scale Metabolic Modelling

This study validates a new antimalarial drug target using genome-scale metabolic modeling and experimental testing of inhibitors against Plasmodium falciparum UCK.

Divergent Plasmodium protein kinases drive MTOC, kinetochore and axoneme organisation in male gametogenesis

This study identifies three Plasmodium protein kinases involved in regulating MTOC, kinetochore, and axoneme organisation during male gametogenesis, revealing their substrates and morphological effects.

Molecular architecture of glideosome and nuclear F-actin in Plasmodium falciparum

This study visualizes F-actin in Plasmodium falciparum using electron cryo-tomography, revealing its structure and dynamics during gliding and its presence in the nucleus.

The origin, invasion history and resistance architecture of Anopheles stephensi in Africa.

This study traces the origin and spread of Anopheles stephensi in Africa using genomic data and identifies insecticide resistance genes from Asia.

A metabolism-chromatin axis promotes ribosome heterogeneity in the human malaria parasite

This study identifies a metabolism-chromatin axis that regulates ribosome heterogeneity in Plasmodium falciparum during host-to-vector transmission.

SIP2 functions as the master transcription factor of the Plasmodium merozoite formation

This study identifies SIP2 as a master transcription factor regulating merozoite formation in Plasmodium parasites, showing its essential role in gene activation and parasite development.

A novel inhibitor against the bromodomain PfBDP1 of the malaria pathogen Plasmodium falciparum

This study identifies a potent inhibitor of PfBDP1 in Plasmodium falciparum through virtual docking, calorimetry, and crystallography, showing parasite sensitivity and potential as a malaria therapeutic.

Aryl N-acetamide compounds exert antimalarial activity by acting as agonists of rhomboid protease PfROM8 and cation channel PfCSC1.

This study identifies M-512 as an agonist of PfROM8 and PfCSC1, which are essential for Plasmodium falciparum growth, and shows that their dysregulation reduces parasite viability.

Molecular Evolution of Gustatory Receptors in the Anopheles gambiae Species Complex

The paper analyzes molecular evolutionary patterns of gustatory receptors in Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes to identify genes under positive selection associated with host preference and adaptation.

Synergistic activity of the ferroptosis inducer RSL3 and Pyrimethamine to inhibit the proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum

This study shows that RSL3 and Pyrimethamine synergistically inhibit Plasmodium falciparum growth, with a mechanism distinct from canonical ferroptosis.

Genomic epidemiology of Plasmodium knowlesi reveals putative genetic drivers of adaptation in Malaysia.

The paper analyzes P. knowlesi genomes from Sabah, Malaysia, to identify genetic subpopulations and introgression events linked to environmental factors and host adaptation.

New insights on malaria parasite adaptation yielded by samples archived for more than 50 years

The paper analyzes old Plasmodium falciparum genomes to study malaria parasite adaptation over 50 years, finding strong positive selection at surface protein loci and changes in allele frequencies.

Organelle Development and Inheritance are Driven by Independent Nuclear and Organellar Mechanisms in Malaria Parasites

This study investigates the development and inheritance of the apicoplast in Plasmodium falciparum, revealing distinct nuclear and organellar mechanisms governing its biogenesis and segregation.

Elevated NAD+ drives Sir2A-mediated GCβ deacetylation and OES localization for Plasmodium ookinete gliding and mosquito infection

Plasmodium falciparum PP1 phosphatase is a key regulator of malaria parasite transmission

This study identifies PfPP1 as a critical regulator of Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte persistence and activation, essential for malaria transmission to mosquitoes.

SUN-domain proteins of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum are essential for proper nuclear division and DNA repair

This study identifies two SUN-domain proteins in Plasmodium falciparum essential for nuclear division and DNA repair, revealing their roles in nuclear envelope structure and function.

Inheritance of the genome-less apicoplast in the 'apicoplast-minus' Plasmodium falciparum

This study challenges the apicoplast-minus concept in Plasmodium falciparum by showing that apicoplast-derived vesicles are inherited and retain four-membrane structures, suggesting a genome-less apicoplast derivative called apicosomes.

Prodrug activation in malaria parasites mediated by an imported erythrocyte esterase, acylpeptide hydrolase (APEH)

The paper identifies acylpeptide hydrolase (APEH) from red blood cells as an enzyme imported by malaria parasites that activates lipophilic ester prodrugs, offering a new strategy to overcome drug resistance.

Intrinsic multiplication rate variation of Plasmodium falciparum in clinical isolates prior to elimination in Malaysia

The paper examines intrinsic multiplication rates of Plasmodium falciparum in Malaysian clinical isolates, finding no significant difference compared to African isolates, suggesting no adaptation to low transmission settings.

Effects of nectar and sugar on the longevity of the mosquito Anopheles gambiae s.l.

This study examines how different nectars and sugar types affect the longevity of Anopheles gambiae s.l. mosquitoes, finding that sugar type and concentration significantly influence lifespan.

Refining the resistance-to-damage (RD) score to predict operational Insecticide-Treated Net lifespan and identify paths to innovation

This paper refines the resistance-to-damage (RD) score to better predict ITN lifespan and identifies key innovation targets by improving the weighting of physical attributes.

Pixel intensity of wing photos used to predict age of Anopheles gambiae caught during the RIMDAMAL II clinical trial

The paper uses pixel intensity from wing photos to predict age of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes and assesses vector control interventions.

Efficient identification of antimalarials with novel mechanism of action via multi-sample transcriptomic profiling

This study identifies antimalarials with novel mechanisms by comparing transcriptomic changes from drug perturbations in Plasmodium falciparum.

Optimal cues for transmission investment in malaria parasites

This study identifies optimal environmental cues for malaria parasites to maximize reproductive success by analyzing how different cues affect transmission investment strategies.

A silicon rhodamine-fused glibenclamide to label and detect malaria-infected red blood cells

This paper develops a fluorescent probe to detect malaria-infected red blood cells and demonstrates its use with a smartphone microscope for diagnostic applications.

Thiazole substitution of a labile amide bond - a new option towards stable pantothenamide-mimics

This study develops pantothenamide-mimics with thiazole rings to overcome degradation by pantetheinase, showing potent antiplasmodial activity and enzyme selectivity.

Endogenous structure of antimalarial target PfATP4 reveals new class of apicomplexan P-type ATPase modulators

The paper determines the cryoEM structure of PfATP4, revealing a novel apicomplexan-specific binding partner, PfABP, which may guide the design of new inhibitors.

Discrimination of inherent characteristics of susceptible and resistant strains of Anopheles gambiae by explainable Artificial Intelligence Analysis of Flight Trajectories

The paper uses explainable AI to distinguish between insecticide-resistant and susceptible Anopheles gambiae strains based on flight trajectory analysis.

Efficacy of the BiteBarrier transfluthrin emanator against susceptible and resistant malaria and arbovirus vectors in the semi-field system in Tanzania

This study evaluates the efficacy of the BiteBarrier transfluthrin emanator against various malaria and arbovirus vectors in semi-field settings, showing high protection and mortality rates across different mosquito species and resistance statuses.

Maintenance of pyrophosphate homeostasis in multiple subcellular compartmentsis essential in Plasmodium falciparum

This study identifies the localization and functions of two pyrophosphatases in Plasmodium falciparum, showing their roles in pyrophosphate homeostasis across subcellular compartments.