The genetics of malaria parasite transmission: getting at the critical role of the oocyst

The transmission of Plasmodium parasites by mosquitoes is a major target to reduce the global burden of malaria. It relies on the coordinated developmental cycles of mosquito reproduction and parasite differentiation. The enigmatic oocyst is the parasite stage that is most dependent on vector physiology and whose survival in the face of immunity determines transmission success. Three game-changing developments bring a better understanding of the oocyst within reach: (1) our recent progress in scaling up experimental genetic approaches, (2) the advent of single cell applications, and (3) a valuable resource of highly diverse rodent Plasmodium isolates transmitted safely in the laboratory. My broader vision is for an international consortium to combine experimental and natural genetic approaches to reveal the biology of the oocyst in its interactions with the vector. This work complements the ongoing genome scale knockout screens to get at molecular mechanisms of vector-pathogen interactions. Concepts and protocols will be developed for targeted validation in human malaria parasites and for global screens using available progeny from genetic crosses of human malaria parasites.

Project Details

Genetics and Genomics

Jan 2025 — Dec 2028

$758,070

Sweden