Activities

Malaria is responsible for a huge burden of death and disease in large areas of the tropical and sub-tropical world. Unfortunately, those countries hardest hit by the disease are often amongst the poorest. Despite continuing efforts, there is still no effective vaccine against the disease. In order to design and implement effective disease intervention strategies, we believe that one of the key priorities in malaria research should be the strengthening of our understanding of the basic biology of the parasite. We are currently investigating some fundamental aspects of the parasite’s life cycle, such as the molecular interactions and signaling mechanisms behind red blood cell （RBC） invasion and the phenomenon of cytoadherence of parasite-infected RBCs. We utilize a variety of malaria parasites including human-infecting Plasmodium falciparum, the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii, and Plasmodium knowlesi a causative agent of zoonotic human malaria. To expand a platform for basic and clinical malaria research, we are investigating the molecular epidemiology of malaria parasites in endemic countries, the biology of Plasmodium vivax hypnozoites, and the establishment of a novel malaria model using ungulate Plasmodium In addition, we are also conducting research about the function and expression mechanism of trans-sialidase and the stage specific adaptation mechanisms of Trypanosoma cruzi that cause Chagas disease.