Transcriptional analysis of malaria transmission stages

Objectives

The goal of the project is to create the first detailed transcriptional analysis of pure sexual stage parasites in P. falciparum and compare it to asexual stage parasites.

Specifically, to compare:

1. the transcriptional profiles of sexually and asexually committed schizonts, and
2. the transcriptomes of sexual and asexual parasites during a 48-hour time course post invasion.

These experiments will have an immediate impact on our understanding of sexual development of the parasite in the human host, as they will for the first time allow global identification and initial characterization of the stage-specific factors involved.