Malaria Research and Control

Temporal expression of liver-stage malaria antigens shapes vaccine efficacy

The paper identifies temporal expression patterns of liver-stage malaria antigens and shows that combining antigens with different temporal profiles improves vaccine efficacy.

Cellular and molecular basis of PfCoronin function in artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum

This study identifies PfCoronin's role in artemisinin resistance by showing mutations impair hemoglobin uptake and modulate drug susceptibility during the ring stage of Plasmodium falciparum.

Selection of a Lead Long-Acting Formulation of Ivermectin to Target Major Malaria Vectors in Western Africa: Evaluation of Pharmacokinetics and Mosquitocidal Efficacy in Cattle under Laboratory Conditions.

This study evaluates three long-acting ivermectin formulations in cattle to identify the most effective for malaria vector control, finding Mdc-STM-001 achieves sustained mosquitocidal efficacy for at least two months.

CXCR6⁺ CD127- Tr1 Cells Balance Immunity and Persistence in Plasmodium falciparum Infection

The paper identifies CXCR6⁺ CD127⁻ Tr1 cells as key regulators in Plasmodium falciparum infection, showing they balance immunity and parasite persistence.

Targeting the AgMOBP1-PfSyn5 mosquito-parasite interface completely blocks malaria transmission

This paper identifies AgMOBP1 and PfSyn5 as a critical mosquito-parasite interface for malaria transmission and shows antibodies against PfSyn5 can completely block transmission at low concentrations.

Dose-sparing self-amplifying RNA vaccine induces high functional antibodies to blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum malaria

This study develops a self-amplifying RNA vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum malaria that induces high functional antibodies with Fc-mediated activities using a dose-sparing regimen.

The N-terminal region of malaria vaccine candidate Plasmodium falciparum asparagine-rich merozoite antigen is immunodominant and targeted by polyreactive antibodies

This study investigates B cell and antibody responses to PfARMA, finding that IgM and IgG predominantly target the N-terminal IDR1 region, but these responses do not correlate with protection against malaria.

Novel monoclonal antibodies targeting distinct sites on placental binding P. falciparum antigen VAR2CSA synergistically enhance parasite phagocytosis

The paper identifies VAR2CSA-specific monoclonal antibodies that synergistically enhance phagocytosis of malaria-infected red blood cells when combined, but none inhibit CSA binding.

Severe malarial anaemia is associated with parasite enrichment and host alterations in the bone marrow

This study shows that severe malarial anaemia is linked to increased red blood cell production, iron metabolism, tissue injury, and parasite biomass in bone marrow, with better resolution from bone marrow analysis than peripheral blood.

The Plasmodium falciparum Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein is Essential for Red Blood Cell Invasion and Can Be Functionally Substituted by Host RKIP

This study shows PfRKIP is essential for Plasmodium falciparum red blood cell invasion and can be functionally substituted by host RKIP, suggesting a potential target for anti-malarial drugs.

Reduced expression of an essential blood-stage Plasmodium phosphatidylserine synthase does not modulate parasite resistance to PfATP4 inhibitors

The paper investigates whether reduced PfPSS expression affects resistance of PfATP4 mutant parasites to antimalarials, finding no significant change in drug efficacy.

Increasing Pyrethroids and DDT Resistance and kdr Mutation in Anopheles gambiae s.l. from Sokoto, North-West Nigeria

The paper assesses increased insecticide resistance and kdr mutation frequency in Anopheles gambiae s.l. from Sokoto, Nigeria, showing higher resistance levels and widespread L1014F mutation.

Protective immunity against malaria by a nanoparticle CIS43-based junctional vaccine alone or in combination with R21

This paper develops a nanoparticle-based junctional vaccine targeting PfCSP and compares its efficacy to the R21 vaccine in reducing malaria liver burden in mice.

Anopheles stephensi bionomics and epidemiology in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis with implications for urban malaria control

This paper quantitatively synthesizes evidence on Anopheles stephensi bionomics and epidemiology in Ethiopia, showing its rapid rise as a dominant malaria vector in urban areas.

Focal inbreeding and clonal transmission of Plasmodium vivax in pre-elimination Vietnam

This study analyzes genomic diversity of Plasmodium vivax in Vietnam, finding decreasing infection complexity, increasing clonal inbreeding, and stable drug resistance allele frequencies over a 10-year period.

Deletion of OTUD7B in astrocytes protects against cerebral malaria by inhibiting microvesicle-induced TRAF3/TRAF6-mediated neuroinflammation

This study shows that deleting OTUD7B in astrocytes reduces cerebral malaria severity by inhibiting microvesicle-induced TRAF3/TRAF6-mediated neuroinflammation.

Plasmodium falciparum hemozoin-associated biomolecules induce brain endothelial cell barrier disruption in an in vitro model of cerebral malaria

This paper identifies biomolecules associated with Plasmodium falciparum hemozoin as the key drivers of brain endothelial barrier disruption in cerebral malaria.

Dynamic regulation of long non-coding RNAs across asexual andgametocyte development in Plasmodium falciparum

This study identifies and characterizes long non-coding RNAs in Plasmodium falciparum across asexual and gametocyte stages using long-read sequencing and single-cell transcriptomics.

Metabolic and Thermal Cues Shape IL-6 Response and Disease Tolerance Mechanisms in Severe Malaria

The paper models IL-6 response in severe malaria using an ex vivo co-culture system and clinical data, showing that IL-6 is context-dependent and influenced by metabolic and thermal cues.

Using machine learning to overcome mosquito collections missing data for malaria modeling

The paper uses machine learning to impute missing mosquito data and improve malaria incidence predictions in Bolivar State, Venezuela, but finds it ineffective for P. falciparum.

Immune receptor LILRB1 mediates cis-signalling which is targeted by RIFINs of the malaria parasite

The paper shows RIFINs of Plasmodium falciparum bind LILRB1 in different conformations, triggering inhibitory signaling either in trans or cis to suppress immune responses.

In silico analysis of the invasion mechanics and invasiveness of the plasmodium falciparum merozoite

This study uses computational models to analyze how erythrocyte deformability affects merozoite invasion and identifies mechanical markers for drug screening.

Mosquito-directed PROTACs to block malaria transmission

This study evaluates a PROTAC molecule to degrade p38 MAPK in mosquitoes, disrupting Plasmodium falciparum development and enhancing immune gene expression, suggesting PROTACs as a novel strategy for malaria transmission control.

A PROPPIN links V-ATPase assembly to endocytic membrane dynamics in malaria parasites

This study identifies PfATG18 as a regulator of vacuolar membrane dynamics in malaria parasites, linking V-ATPase assembly to endocytic processes and drug resistance.

Early-evening biting by Anopheles stephensi in Southern Ethiopia: A Challenge for Bed Net Use as Vector Control in Africa

This study shows Anopheles stephensi bites mainly in the early evening, reducing the effectiveness of bed nets and suggesting the need for additional control measures.

Using photoaffinity labelling to study pantothenamide uptake in malaria parasites

The paper uses photoaffinity labelling to investigate pantothenamide uptake differences between male and female malaria gametocytes, finding no significant uptake differences but potential subcellular localization variation.

Classification of outcomes in antimalarial therapeutic efficacy studies with Aster

The paper introduces Aster, a statistical framework for accurately classifying antimalarial drug efficacy outcomes by accounting for complexity of infection and genotyping limitations.

Cytotoxic Vδ2+T cell subsets expand in response to malaria in human tonsil and spleen organoids

This study shows that malaria exposure increases cytotoxic Vδ2+ T cell expansion in human tonsil and spleen organoids, with clonal expansion and activation, while not significantly affecting influenza vaccine responses.

A joint Bayesian framework for modeling Plasmodium vivax transmission

This paper develops a joint Bayesian model to analyze P. vivax parasite density, gametocyte density, and mosquito infectivity, showing gametocyte density has the strongest association with infectivity.

From low to high transmission: Diversity-dependent responses of Plasmodium falciparum population structure to transmission intensity

This study uses a stochastic agent-based model to show how Plasmodium falciparum population structure responds to transmission intensity and initial diversity, revealing nonlinear patterns in recombination and haplotype dynamics.