Malaria Research and Control

Analysis of Gene Expression Profiles to study Malaria Vaccine Dose Efficacy & Immune Response Modulation.

The paper analyzes gene expression profiles from RTS,S malaria vaccine doses to assess efficacy and identify cytokine responses associated with protection.

Towards environmental detection, quantification, and molecular characterization of Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti from larval breeding sites

This study validates the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) for detecting and characterizing Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from larval breeding sites using multiplex TaqMan assays and amplicon-sequencing panels.

The sulfonylpiperazine MMV020291 prevents red blood cell invasion by the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum through interference with actin-1/profilin dynamics

This study identifies MMV020291 as a compound that targets actin-1/profilin dynamics in Plasmodium falciparum, inhibiting red blood cell invasion and apicoplast segregation.

Gene drive mosquitoes can aid malaria elimination by retarding Plasmodium sporogonic development

The paper develops a gene drive effector that retards Plasmodium development in transgenic Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes via midgut antimicrobial peptides, predicted to eliminate malaria across transmission scenarios.

Efficient generation of mNeonGreen Plasmodium falciparum reporter lines enables quantitative fitness analysis

The paper describes a CRISPR-based method to generate fluorescent Plasmodium falciparum reporter lines for quantitative fitness analysis, showing minimal fitness defects.

Dcifer: an IBD-based method to calculate genetic distance between polyclonal infections

Dcifer calculates genetic distance between polyclonal infections using IBD-based methods, showing higher statistical power than identity by state approaches and detecting related infections.

Single-cell RNA sequencing of Plasmodium vivax sporozoites reveals stage- and species-specific transcriptomic signatures

This study uses single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze P. vivax sporozoites, identifying stage-specific transcriptomic signatures and gene usage patterns distinct from P. falciparum.

Non-O ABO blood group genotypes differ in their associations with Plasmodium falciparum rosetting and severe malaria

The paper investigates how non-O ABO blood group genotypes relate to Plasmodium falciparum rosetting and severe malaria risk in Kenyan children.

Pre-existing partner-drug resistance facilitates the emergence and spread of artemisinin resistance: a consensus modelling study

This study shows that pre-existing partner-drug resistance accelerates the emergence of artemisinin resistance through consensus modelling of Plasmodium falciparum transmission.

Population replacement gene drive characteristics for malaria elimination in a range of seasonal transmission settings: a modeling study

This study models the effectiveness of population replacement gene drive mosquitoes in eliminating malaria under different transmission settings and finds that combining them with traditional controls can achieve local elimination in low to moderate transmission areas.

Evaluation of intron-1 of odorant-binding protein-1 of Anopheles stephensi as a marker for the identification of biological forms or putative sibling species

The paper evaluates AsteObp1 intron-1 as a marker for identifying biological forms and sibling species in Anopheles stephensi but finds it unsuitable due to high polymorphism and lack of association with morphological forms.

Cohesin is involved in transcriptional repression of stage-specific genes in the human malaria parasite

The paper investigates the role of cohesin in regulating stage-specific gene expression in Plasmodium falciparum, showing that SMC3 represses genes until their appropriate time of expression.

CDC50 orthologues in Plasmodium falciparum have distinct roles in merozoite egress and trophozoite maturation

The paper investigates the roles of CDC50 orthologues in Plasmodium falciparum, showing CDC50B modulates merozoite egress via GC interaction while CDC50C is essential for trophozoite maturation and haemoglobin processing.

Human malaria parasite cold shock protein plays an essential role in asexual and sexual stage development and presents an excellent druggable target

This study identifies a cold shock protein in Plasmodium falciparum essential for asexual and sexual stages and shows its potential as a druggable target.

Machine learning approaches for classificationof Plasmodium falciparum life cycle stagesusing single-cell transcriptomes

This paper applies machine learning techniques to classify Plasmodium falciparum life cycle stages using single-cell transcriptomes, achieving improved classification through feature selection and multiple classifiers.

Denaturation resistant P2 tetramer is required to import fatty acids into intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum

The paper shows that a denaturation-resistant PfP2 tetramer imports fatty acids into Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes, regulating nuclear division and providing a drug screening platform.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate regulates Plasmodium histone deacetylase activity and exhibits epigenetic control over cell death and differentiation

This study shows that S1P from host erythrocytes regulates PfHDAC-1 activity, affecting transcription of genes related to gametocytogenesis, virulence, and proliferation in Plasmodium falciparum.

Characterization of prohibitins as novel target to block asexual and sexual stage growth of Plasmodium falciparum

This paper identifies prohibitins (PHBs) in Plasmodium falciparum as druggable targets, showing their mitochondrial localization and functional roles, and demonstrates that Rocaglamide inhibits parasite growth in multiple drug-resistant strains.

Spatial modelling for population replacement of mosquito vectors at continental scale

The paper models the spread and persistence of a population-modifying gene drive system in malaria vector subspecies across sub-Saharan Africa, showing wind-driven migration can enable spread from offshore islands to the mainland.

Whole-genome and mitogenome based in silico analysis of select Plasmodium and identification of a novel drug molecule against the malaria parasite

The paper identifies a novel anti-malarial drug molecule, Cymbopogonol, through genomic analysis and molecular docking studies of Plasmodium.

An amino acid transporter AAT1 plays a pivotal role in chloroquine resistance evolution in malaria parasites

This study identifies pfaat1 as a key gene in chloroquine resistance evolution in malaria parasites, showing it modulates resistance and fitness through amino acid transport.

Getting close to nature - Plasmodium knowlesi reference genome sequences from contemporary clinical isolates

The paper develops a method to generate comprehensive genome sequences of Plasmodium knowlesi from clinical isolates and provides insights into the evolution of gene families associated with antigenic variation.

Multi-omics analysis identifies a CYP9K1 haplotype conferring pyrethroid resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles funestus in East Africa

This study identifies a CYP9K1 haplotype associated with pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles funestus using multi-omics analysis and functional validation.

'Erythritol, a safe natural sweetener exhibits multi-stage anti-malarial activity by blocking Plasmodium falciparum membrane transporter 'aquaporin

This study shows erythritol inhibits Plasmodium falciparum growth across multiple life stages and protects the blood-brain barrier, suggesting it as a potential anti-malarial compound.

Identification of ATP2B4 regulatory element containing functional genetic variants associated with severe malaria

The paper identifies functional genetic variants in the ATP2B4 regulatory region associated with severe malaria and demonstrates their impact on gene expression and calcium homeostasis.

PMRT1, a Plasmodium specific parasite plasma membrane transporter is essential for asexual and sexual blood stage development

The paper investigates six membrane transporters in Plasmodium falciparum, finding four essential for asexual development and one essential for gametocytogenesis.

Identification of Antimalarial Compounds that Inhibit Apicomplexan AP2 Proteins in the Human Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum

The paper identifies antimalarial compounds that inhibit ApiAP2 proteins in Plasmodium falciparum by screening small molecules against the AP2-EXP domain and validating their effects on parasite gene regulation and growth.

Molecular drivers of insecticide resistance in the Sahelo-Sudanian populations of a major malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii

The paper identifies molecular drivers of insecticide resistance in Anopheles coluzzii populations across the Sahel region, highlighting key genes and chromosomal inversions associated with resistance to pyrethroids and other insecticides.

Optimizing bulk segregant analysis of drug resistance using Plasmodium falciparum genetic crosses conducted in humanized mice

This study optimizes bulk segregant analysis for identifying drug resistance loci in Plasmodium falciparum using genetic crosses in humanized mice, confirming the kelch13 locus and demonstrating the utility of cryopreserved pools.

Cyclical Regression Covariates remove the major confounding effect of cyclical developmental gene expression with strain-specific drug response in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

This paper introduces cyclical regression covariates to remove confounding from developmental gene expression in Plasmodium falciparum, improving drug response analysis in clinical samples.