Optical diffraction tomography and image reconstruction to measure host cell alterations caused by divergent Plasmodium species.

Malaria is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Understanding the biological features of various parasite forms is important for the optical diagnosis and defining pathological states, which are often constrained by the lack of ambient visualization approaches. Here, we employ a label-free tomographic technique to visualize the host red blood cell (RBC) remodeling process and quantify changes in biochemical properties arising from parasitization.

Berok Growth Inhibition Assay by Thiol-reactive Probe Based Flow Cytometric Measurement.

The relapsing malaria species, , is the most widely distributed and difficult-to-treat cause of human malaria. The merozoites of preferentially invade ephemeral human CD71 reticulocytes (nascent reticulocytes), thereby limiting the development of a robust continuous culture . Fortunately, 's sister species, Berok, can be cultured continuously, providing the ability to screen novel therapeutics drug and vaccine candidates in a reliable and high-throughput manner.

A Chimeric Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein Antibody Recognizes and Blocks Erythrocytic P. cynomolgi Berok Merozoites .

Research on erythrocytic merozoite antigens is critical for identifying potential vaccine candidates in reducing disease. However, many studies are constrained by its inability to undergo long-term culture Conserved across all spp., merozoite surface proteins are essential for invasion into erythrocytes and highly expressed on erythrocytic merozoites, thus making it an ideal vaccine candidate.

Genetic diversity and neutral selection in Plasmodium vivax erythrocyte binding protein correlates with patient antigenicity.

Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread and difficult to treat cause of human malaria. The development of vaccines against the blood stages of P. vivax remains a key objective for the control and elimination of vivax malaria.

Robust continuous in vitro culture of the Plasmodium cynomolgi erythrocytic stages.

The ability to culture pathogenic organisms substantially enhances the quest for fundamental knowledge and the development of vaccines and drugs. Thus, the elaboration of a protocol for the in vitro cultivation of the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum revolutionized research on this important parasite. However, for P.

Hepatic spheroids used as an in vitro model to study malaria relapse.

Hypnozoites are the liver stage non-dividing form of the malaria parasite that are responsible for relapse and acts as a natural reservoir for human malaria Plasmodium vivax and P. ovale as well as a phylogenetically related simian malaria P. cynomolgi.

Strict tropism for CD71/CD234 human reticulocytes limits the zoonotic potential of .

Two malaria parasites of Southeast Asian macaques, and , can infect humans experimentally. In Malaysia, where both species are common, zoonotic knowlesi malaria has recently become dominant, and cases are recorded throughout the region. By contrast, to date, only a single case of naturally acquired has been found in humans.

Characterisation of liver pathogenesis, human immune responses and drug testing in a humanised mouse model of HCV infection.

Objective: HCV infection affects millions of people worldwide, and many patients develop chronic infection leading to liver cancers. For decades, the lack of a small animal model that can recapitulate HCV infection, its immunopathogenesis and disease progression has impeded the development of an effective vaccine and therapeutics. We aim to provide a humanised mouse model for the understanding of HCV-specific human immune responses and HCV-associated disease pathologies.