Last Updated: 31/01/2025
Functional characterization of acetyl CoA transporter and Ser/Thr kinases in Plasmodium berghei gametocyte development
Objectives
The project aims to investigate key enzymes and proteins involved in the sexual development stages of the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei, using genetic tools to explore their roles throughout the parasite’s life cycle and identify potential drug targets that could lead to the development of transmission-blocking drugs, contributing to malaria elimination efforts.
The development of innovative drugs against all stages of the malaria disease are earnestly needed in the renewed agenda to eliminate malaria. Therefore Jonathan Suurbaar intends to explore the importance and role of key enzymes and proteins during the sexual stages of the malaria parasite. Using establish genetic tools and techniques, Suurbaar intends to query these proteins through the full malaria parasite cycle using the rodent malaria system. Understanding these sexual mechanisms would unravel druggable pathways and targets for small molecule screening. At the end transmission blocking drugs could be developed to play central role to drive the elimination of malaria.
Jun 2022 — Sep 2025
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