Membrane Biogenesis and Malaria Chemotherapy

Plasmodium falciparum is an important intraerythrocytic protozoan pathogen responsible for the most severe form of human malaria. The rapid spread of drug-resistant parasites and lack of an effective malaria vaccine result in an urgent need for alternative approaches to prevent malaria infection and pathogenesis. The rapid multiplication of P. falciparum in human erythrocytes requires active synthesis of new membranes. Our laboratory uses molecular, biochemical, genomic and biophysical analyses to understand lipid biogenesis in this parasite. The long-term goal of our research program is to design new drugs that can stop P. falciparum proliferation and clear malaria infection.

Yeast as a Model System for Malaria Chemotherapy

Our laboratory uses the baker yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a surrogate system to functionally characterize malarial genes involved in membrane biogenesis, determine the mode of action of various anti-malarial drugs and design target-specific new drugs.