Malaria Genomics and Transcriptomics
Biology; P. vivax has several unique biological features that are associated with its prevalence, clinical pathology, and transmission strategies. P. vivax selectively invades reticulocytes with the Duffy surface antigens. The kinetics of gametocyte production in P. vivax is also different with infective gametocytes appearing before the onset of the clinical symptoms. Most notably, P. vivax forms dormant hypnozoites in hepatocytes responsible for relapses of the disease, which poses a serious obstacle to the control and eventual eradication of this parasite. Our research at MVRU is aim to explore the molecular mechanism underlying those unique characteristics.
Past Project
Characterization of Plasmodium vivax gametocyte and its association with mosquito infectivity
Topic of research
International Laboratory Installation and Collaborative Research on Neglected Tropical and Vector-borne Diseases.
Outcome
Characterization of gametocyte development will lead to the discovery of the gametocyte markers which relate to the transmission of the parasite to mosquito. These markers can be used to determine the level of contribution to transmission of reservoir populations as well as to support the development of transmission blocking vaccines/drugs.
Key Information
Key MVRU Researchers:
Project Status:
Past
Funded by:
- National institute of Allergy and infectious diseases
- Korean national institute of health
In collaboration with:
- Liwang Cui, Professor, University of South Florida
- Takafumi Tsuboi, Professor, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University
- Tomoko Ishino, Associate Professor, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University
- Motomi Torii, Professor, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University
- Eizo Takashima , Associate Professor, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University
Past Project
The development of Invasion inhibition assay for vaccine screening of Plasmodium vivax
Topic of research
Basic research related to Tropical diseases.
Outcome
Established high throughput invasion assay for in vitro vaccine screening of Plasmodium vivax. The optimized invasion assay will increase accuracy, productivity, and throughput of the assay which will fasten the antimalarial drugs/vaccines discovery.
Publications:
Key Information
Key MVRU Researchers:
Project Status:
Past
Funded by:
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Mahidol university
- Korean national institute of health
On-going Project
Elucidating the Mechanism of Reticulocyte-Specific Invasion by Plasmodium vivax
Topic of research
Better understanding of P. vivax biology
Outcome
This project aims to provide a better understanding of the molecular process underlying how P. vivax senses and selects young erythrocyte to invade.
Key Information
Key MVRU Researchers:
Project Status:
On-going
Funded by:
- Welcome Trust
On-going Project
Development of Plasmodium vivax gametocyte and its association with mosquito infectivity
Topic of research
Support deep knowledge base research. Also promote and support new researchers to continue research and stepping into higher-level research work.
Outcome
The information on P. vivax gametocyte development will give a better understanding of gametocyte biology and their infectiveness to the mosquito, allowing future identification of novel candidates for transmission blocking vaccines/drugs.
Key Information
Key MVRU Researchers:
Project Status:
On-going
Funded by:
- TRF
In collaboration with:
- Liwang Cui, Professor, University of South Florida
On-going Project
Transcriptomes and Proteomes of Plasmodium vivax
Topic of research
Exploratory/Developmental research
Outcome
This study depict a comprehensive view of gene expression of P. vivax blood stage. Such information will help unravel the mechanism of sexual development which may lead to the discovery of new antimalarial drugs and transmission-blocking vaccine targets. This information will definitely fuel malaria elimination.
Key Information
Key MVRU Researchers:
Project Status:
On-going
Funded by:
- National institute of Allergy and infectious diseases
In collaboration with:
- Liwang Cui, Professor, University of South Florida