Malaria Research and Control

Application of barcode sequencing to increase the throughput and complexity of Plasmodium falciparum genetic screening

The paper uses barcoded P. falciparum gene knockouts with BarSeq to phenotype parasite life cycle traits at scale.

The three Plasmodium falciparum Aurora-related kinases display distinct temporal and spatial associations with mitotic structures in asexual blood stage parasites and gametocytes

The paper investigates the spatiotemporal roles of three Aurora-related kinases in Plasmodium falciparum mitosis and gametogenesis, revealing distinct functions in cell division processes.

Micro-C reveals MORC/ApiAP2-mediated links between distant, functionally related genes in the human malaria parasite

The paper uses Micro-C to map DNA-DNA contacts in Plasmodium falciparum, revealing heterochromatic and euchromatic structures mediated by MORC/ApiAP2 and other factors.

A novel chemogenomic screening platform for scalable antimalarial drug target identification

This paper develops a chemogenomic platform using Plasmodium berghei artificial chromosomes to identify antimalarial drug targets through barcode sequencing and validation in Plasmodium falciparum.

Understanding the Global Spread of Artemisinin Resistance: Insights from over 100K Plasmodium falciparum Samples

This paper aggregates spatiotemporal data on 112,933 Plasmodium falciparum samples to track the global spread of artemisinin resistance, highlighting its emergence in East Africa and the role of genomic surveillance.

Immune gene expression changes more during a malaria transmission season than between consecutive seasons.

The paper compares immune gene expression changes during a malaria transmission season versus between seasons in children with P. falciparum infections.

A fast-acting inhibitor of blood-stage P. falciparum with mechanism distinct from artemisinin and chloroquine

This paper identifies MMV1580853 as a fast-acting antimalarial with a mechanism distinct from artemisinin and chloroquine, showing rapid parasite killing in vitro.

Potent LILRB1 D1D2-containing antibodies inhibit RIFIN-mediated immune evasions

This study designs antibodies targeting the LILRB1 receptor's D1D2 domain to block RIFIN-mediated immune evasion in malaria parasites, enhancing NK cell activity.

Copy number variations of Plasmodium vivax DBP1, EBP/DBP2, and RBP2b in Duffy-positive and Duffy-negative Ethiopians

The paper investigates copy number variations of Plasmodium vivax genes in Duffy-positive and Duffy-negative Ethiopians, finding higher duplication rates in Duffy-positive samples.

Somatic hypermutation-mediated paratope flexibility improves the cross-reactivity of human malaria antibodies

This study shows that somatic hypermutation increases cross-reactivity of anti-PfCSP antibodies by enhancing flexibility in antigen-bound complexes, but reduces serum stability.

A novel micronemal protein, Scot1, is essential for apicoplast biogenesis and liver stage development in Plasmodium berghei

This paper identifies Scot1, a micronemal protein essential for late liver-stage development and apicoplast biogenesis in Plasmodium berghei, showing its potential as a target for malaria vaccines.

Pf-HaploAtlas: an interactive web app for spatiotemporal analysis of P. falciparum genes

Pf-HaploAtlas provides an interactive web tool for analyzing spatiotemporal genomic variation in Plasmodium falciparum using data from 16,203 samples across 33 countries.

Influenza-induced alveolar macrophages protect against death by malaria-associated acute lung injury (MA-ALI)

This study shows that influenza co-infection protects mice from malaria-induced acute lung injury by altering immune responses, specifically through arginase-1-expressing alveolar macrophages.

MalKinID: A Likelihood-Based Model for Identifying Malaria Parasite Genealogical Relationships Using Identity-by-Descent

MalKinID identifies malaria parasite genealogical relationships using IBD proportions and segment distributions, showing high accuracy in outcrossed importations but reduced performance in inbreeding scenarios.

The major surface protein of malaria sporozoites is GPI-anchored to the plasma membrane

This study confirms that the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of Plasmodium sporozoites is GPI-anchored using metabolic labeling and mass spectrometry.

Association study of Plasmodium falciparum Acetyl-CoA Synthetase Mutations S868G and V949I with antimalarial drugs

This study investigates the association of PfACAS mutations S868G and V949I with antimalarial drug resistance using whole-genome sequencing and CRISPR/Cas9-engineered parasites.

Combinations of Insecticide-Treated Nets and Indoor Residual Spraying for Insecticide Resistance Management: A Modelling Exploration

This study models the effectiveness of combining insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying for managing insecticide resistance in malaria control.

Household level insecticide deployments (micro-mosaics) for insecticide resistance management: Evaluating deliberate and accidental deployments

This paper evaluates deliberate and accidental micro-mosaics of insecticide deployments for resistance management, finding they are not beneficial compared to rotations or mixtures.

Identification of mCMQ069, a novel antimalarial with potential for a single-dose cure and/or 28-day chemoprevention

This paper identifies mCMQ069, a novel antimalarial with potential for single-dose cure and one-month chemoprevention, showing improved pharmacokinetic properties over KAF156.

IgM plays a prominent role in naturally acquired immunity against Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes

This study identifies IgM as a key antibody isotype in immune responses against Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes, showing its superior complement fixation activity compared to IgG.

Declining Genetic Polymorphisms of the C-terminus Merozoite Surface Protein-1 Amidst Increased Plasmodium knowlesi Transmission in Thailand

This study shows declining genetic diversity and purifying selection in Plasmodium knowlesi in Thailand, linked to increased transmission, with genetic similarity between southern Thailand and Malaysia.

Structural and mechanistic insights into Plasmodium eIF2alpha dephosphorylation by UIS2 during the erythrocytic stage

This paper identifies UIS2 as a critical phosphatase for Plasmodium proliferation during the erythrocytic stage and reveals its structural mechanism for eIF2alpha dephosphorylation, suggesting it as a target for antimalarial drugs.

CUT&Tag and DiBioCUT&Tag enable investigation of the AT-rich and dynamic epigenome of Plasmodium falciparum from low input samples.

The paper introduces CUT&Tag and DiBioCUT&Tag methods to profile the epigenome of Plasmodium falciparum from low-input samples, improving upon ChIP-seq limitations.

Structure-guided design of a Plasmodium vivax Duffy binding protein-based vaccine immunogen

This study designs an improved PvDBP-based immunogen using structure-guided methods to enhance its stability and antibody response against Plasmodium vivax.

Genome-wide association studies unveil major genetic loci driving insecticide resistance in Anopheles funestus in four eco-geographical settings across Cameroon

Temporal and spatial dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum clonal lineages in Guyana

The paper analyzes clonal dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum in Guyana using whole genome sequencing, finding that stochastic factors drive clonality rather than deterministic selection for drug resistance mutations.

Large-scale genotyping and meta-analysis of PIEZO1 short tandem repeat alleles suggest a modest association with malaria susceptibility

The paper genotypes PIEZO1 STR alleles in malaria cases and controls, finding a modest protective effect of E756del against malaria.

A first-in-Plasmodium study on tRNA intron splicing endonuclease PfTSEN1 and its substrate expression in clinical stage malaria

The paper identifies PfTSEN1 as a tRNA splicing endonuclease in Plasmodium falciparum and demonstrates its inhibition by TSENi, a novel anti-malarial compound.

Acetyl-CoA Synthetase Mutations S868G and V949I Do Not Confer Resistance to Antimalarial Drugs in vitro in Plasmodium falciparum.

This study investigates whether mutations in PfACAS confer antimalarial drug resistance by engineering parasite lines with these mutations and testing their drug susceptibility in vitro.

Erythrocyte membrane protein 3 (EMAP3) is exposed on the surface of the Plasmodium berghei infected red blood cell

The paper identifies EMAP3 as a new parasite protein exposed on the surface of P. berghei infected red blood cells, which interacts with EMAP1 but is not the main CD36-binding protein.