Last Updated: 26/11/2025
Study of vitamin K1 and phytol metabolism in Plasmodium falciparum
Objectives
*Original title in Portuguese: Estudo do metabolismo de vitamina K1 e fitol em Plasmodium falciparum
This research project aims to investigate the role of phylloquinone (vitamin K1) in the redox system of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, particularly in relation to oxidative stress levels influenced by the drug warfarin. Additionally, it will explore the metabolism of phytol in infected erythrocytes, with the goal of identifying new antimalarial targets to enhance disease treatment strategies.
Among the infectious diseases that affect humans, malaria is the one with the highest mortality rate with more than 500,000 deaths recorded in 2013. To aggravate the public health situation, the emergence of resistance to drugs commonly used in the therapy of the disease has been described. Therefore, it becomes necessary to identify and study new antimalarial targets. The knowledge from this study of the physiology of the parasite will provide the scientific community with a rational approach to combating the disease.
Oct 2015 — Sep 2018
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