How does P.falciparum invade the human erythrocyte?
Merozoite form of P. falciparum and
its interaction with the human erythrocyte
The development of a vaccine is a priority, and potential vaccines are being targeted to various stages of the parasite life cycle. The asexual merozoite has been of particular focus in recent times. The merozoite form of the asexual life cycle in the blood-stage attaches to the surface of the red blood cell thus initiating the invasion process of this host cell. Inside the red blood cell the parasite replicates and matures into a schizont form, which eventually ruptures to release new merozoites and complete the blood-stage cycle.
Merozoite antigens are exposed to the immune system and consequently these proteins are potential vaccine candidates. Many of these proteins are thought to play a role in merozoite invasion of red blood cells but the details of their function remain sketchy at best. Our work is aimed at identifying and determining the role of merozoite proteins and specific red blood cell receptors in the invasion process. See below for some of our recent publications in this area.