Parasite Research Group
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Malaria is amongst one of the major health challenges facing developing countries and in particular Africa. It is estimated that over one million people die from malaria annually, with over 90% of cases occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa. Plasmodium falciparum causes cerebral malaria, and nearly all malaria deaths result from infection by this species of the parasite. The survival of this parasite throughout the various stages of its life cycle relies on highly complex interactions between the parasite and the human host. In particular the invasion and establishment of the malaria parasite in human red blood cells is important to the development of cerebral malaria. We have an established track record in the characterization of molecular chaperones; proteins involved in helping other proteins to fold, and in the prevention of protein misfolding and aggregation under stressful conditions. It has recently been revealed that certain malarial molecular chaperones, especially heat shock proteins such as Hsp40, are exported from the parasite into the red blood cell during malaria pathogenesis. Furthermore, the malaria parasite has evolved an expanded family of Hsp40 proteins, with at least 43 members, many of which appear to be highly specialized. We hypothesize these heat shock proteins help the malaria parasite to establish itself in the red blood cell. We are also conducting research on trypanosomal parasites (Trypanosoma brucei and T. cruzi), focusing again on the role played by heat shock proteins in parasite survival within the human host. Trypanosomes, like the malaria parasite, also appear to have an expanded complement of Hsp40 proteins, with at least 65 members in T. brucei. We are principally interested in understanding the molecular basis of the mechanism of action of these Hsp40s with the aim of identifying pathogen-specific chaperones that are potential drug targets. Therefore, the main objective of our research in this area is the elucidation of how parasite heat shock proteins (especially Hsp40 proteins) are involved in the establishment and survival of the parasite in the human host. The acquisition of this knowledge will aid other researchers in the development of effective vaccines and drug therapies.
Members of BioBRU currently engaged in Parasite Research
- Dr Eva-Rachele Pesce
- Dr Linda Stephens
- Dr Wil Nicol
- Jessica Goble
- Ingrid Cockburn
- Michael Ludewig
- Cassandra Louw
- Craig Hunter
For individual research projects please refer to the Members page
