Unraveling the molecular basis for vivax malaria's unhealthy attraction to human reticulocytes
Description: Plasmodium vivax (Pv) is the most widely distributed and difficult to cure form of human malaria. Pv is certainly the most important cause of malaria in the Asia Pacific region. Difficulties in diagnosis, treating the dormant liver stage and the recent spread of drug resistant Pv have provided impetus for vaccine development against vivax malaria. The ability of Pv to cause disease is dependent on invasion of immature red blood cells (reticulocytes). How Pv identifies and invades reticulocytes remains unknown. We aim to identify the specific blood cell receptors and corresponding parasite proteins used to invade human reticulocytes. To do this, a proteomic shortlist of reticulocyte receptors will be targeted by neutralizing antibodies/knockdowns in Pv invasion assays. The identification of the reticulocyte specific receptors and corresponding ligands will aid in the development of vaccines against vivax malaria._x000D_
Funder: Marsden Fund
Amount: NZD 960,000
Funding type: grant
Funder scheme: Standard
Investigator: BM Russell
Institution: University of Otago
Funded outputs count: 5
Funder award ID: 17-UOO-241
OpenAlex ID: G5447123714