Mr Juan Balbin

Approximately half of the world’s population is at risk of malaria, with >400,000 deaths reported annually with no effective vaccine available. In response, we must continue to identify novel proteins with promising vaccine potential. For my project I am characterising two merozoite protein homologues,  which we believe are involved in the ability of the most deadly malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, to invade red blood cells (RBCs). Specifically, my research focuses on the invasive merozoites of the blood stage lifecycle (pictured from left to right: invading merozoite, ring, trophozoite, schizont, rupturing schizont releasing daughter merozoites) - the crucial point in the P. falciparum lifecycle responsible for all clinical symptoms of malaria.

For one of these proteins, Pf3D7_1468400, a previous study has suggested that antibodies raised towards this protein inhibit parasite invasion, and therefore prevented further blood stage cycles (Daubenberger et al. 2003). In support of this, gene expression data suggested this protein is highly expressed towards the end of the blood stage which inferred its role in the next round of invasion. In contrast, no studies have been conducted focusing on the structural homologue Pf3D7_0818100, but we have identified similarities in gene expression and protein structure with Pf3D7_1468400 which suggest common functions between these proteins. I anticipate that a greater understanding of the function(s) of these proteins will not only contribute to knowledge in invasion biology, but will also inform their vaccine development potential.