27 May 2021
Researchers have mapped in fine detail the genetic changes malaria parasites go through as they prepare to infect people.
The atlas maps the malaria parasite
Plasmodium falciparum in unprecedented cellular detail as it develops inside a mosquito and prepares to infect humans through a bite. This detailed investigation could lead to new ways to block key stages in the parasite’s development and prevent transmission through future drugs or vaccines.
Our new data have clear implications for malaria control, both in terms of drugs that kill the parasite as it moves between stages and protective vaccines. Dr Eliana Real