Study of the role of the phosphoinositide phosphatase SAC1 in protein trafficking to the apical complex in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Malaria remains one of the most widespread infectious diseases globally. According to the United Nations, nearly 240 million cases and approximately 627,000 deaths were reported across 85 countries in 2020. Beyond its devastating health impact, malaria also poses a significant economic burden worldwide. Among the five Plasmodium species that infect humans, Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe and virulent form of the disease. The parasite’s life cycle begins in the liver and continues in red blood cells, where replication leads to the characteristic cyclical fevers and multi-organ complications. Despite ongoing efforts, there is still no widely available vaccine, and resistance to existing antimalarial drugs continues to rise, underscoring the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies.

This project focuses on studying the formation of three specialized secretory structures in P. falciparum that produce proteins essential for red blood cell invasion—a critical step in the parasite’s life cycle. Because these structures are indispensable for parasite survival, disrupting their formation presents a promising new antimalarial target. To investigate this, genetic modifications will be performed in cultured parasites, followed by analyses using fluorescence microscopy. In the long term, these findings could contribute to identifying novel therapeutic targets and facilitating the discovery of new antimalarial compounds.

Basic Science
Enabling Technologies & Assays
Genetics and Genomics

Sep 2023 — Aug 2024

$12,828

Canada