Dissection of the interaction between Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells and bone marrow cells

While Plasmodium falciparum proliferates within human red blood cells, some infected red blood cells migrate from peripheral blood to the bone marrow microenvironment, where they mature into a form called gametocytes. The mature gametocytes then migrate back to the peripheral blood and are transmitted to other human hosts by mosquito vectors that feed on blood. In the bone marrow, it is speculated that red blood cells infected with the parasite adhere to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, leading to gametocyte maturation. This study  aims to identify the parasite molecules required for the adhesion of infected red blood cells to bone marrow cells.

Project details

Basic Science

Apr 2024 — Mar 2027

$30,900

Japan