Full maturation of in vitro Plasmodium falciparum oocysts using the AlgiMatrix 3D culture system.

Background: Plasmodium falciparum oocysts undergo growth and maturation in a unique setting within the mosquito midgut, firmly situated between the epithelium and the basal lamina. This location exposes them to specific nutrient exchange and metabolic processes while in direct contact with the mosquito haemolymph. The limited availability of in vitro culture systems for growth of the various P.

Purification and production of Plasmodium falciparum zygotes from in vitro culture using magnetic column and Percoll density gradient.

Background: Plasmodium falciparum zygotes develop in the mosquito midgut after an infectious blood meal containing mature male and female gametocytes. Studies of mosquito-produced P. falciparum zygotes to elucidate their biology and development have been hampered by high levels of contaminating mosquito proteins and macromolecules present in zygote preparations.

The Development of Whole Sporozoite Vaccines for Malaria.

Each year malaria kills hundreds of thousands of people and infects hundreds of millions of people despite current control measures. An effective malaria vaccine will likely be necessary to aid in malaria eradication. Vaccination using whole sporozoites provides an increased repertoire of immunogens compared to subunit vaccines across at least two life cycle stages of the parasite, the extracellular sporozoite, and intracellular liver stage.

Host Cell Copper Transporters CTR1 and ATP7A are important for Influenza A virus replication.

Background: The essential role of copper in eukaryotic cellular physiology is known, but has not been recognized as important in the context of influenza A virus infection. In this study, we investigated the effect of cellular copper on influenza A virus replication.

Methods: Influenza A/WSN/33 (H1N1) virus growth and macromolecule syntheses were assessed in cultured human lung cells (A549) where the copper concentration of the growth medium was modified, or expression of host genes involved in copper homeostasis was targeted by RNA interference.