Elucidating the molecular basis of Plasmodium falciparumred cell invasion

Abstract:

Red cell invasion by P. falciparum is central to malaria pathogenesis and thus it is critical to study this intricate biological process, which still is not completely well understood. P. falciparum red cell invasion is a complex, multi step process that is mediated by a number of redundant ligand-receptor interactions many of which still remain undefined. Our group has recently identified a novel multi-protein adhesion complex on the parasite surface that is essential for red cell invasion by multiple P. falciparum strains, which has major implications in the understanding of the molecular basis of red cell invasion. Further, the sole dependence across multiple parasite strains on this essential protein complex could be harnessed for the development of novel therapeutics against malaria.