Identification and characterisation of proteins responsible for oocyst development and evasion of mosquito immune responses. (360G-Wellcome-075176_Z_04_A)

£6,177

The malaria parasite Plasmodium is transmitted between its vertebrate hosts by a mosquito vector. Following uptake within the blood-meal, the parasite becomes motile and is known as the ookinete. The ookinete is capable of penetrating the epithelium of the mosquito midgut, and at the midgut basal lamina it differentiates into the oocyst. Maturation of the oocyst results in the release of thousands of invasive sporozoites, which can be transmitted to the next vertebrate host during subsequent bloodmeals. One strategy for the control of malaria is to target the parasite during its mosquito stages. However, to do so, the interactions between the parasite and the mosquito must be elucidated and Plasmodium secreted or surface proteins mediating these interactions must be identified. The aim of this PhD project is to identify genes that are specifically expressed during oocyst development, especially early stages, and to investigate the role of these gene products in oocyst development and their interaction with the mosquito immune system. The working hypothesis is that genes specifically up or down-regulated during Plasmodium oocyst development are likely to be important for oocyst differentiation and interaction with the mosquito immune responses, and that the levels of parasite gene expression may determine the outcome of the interaction with the mosquito immune system. Candidate genes identified through this type of transcriptional analysis then can be subjected to a detailed functional analysis. This research project would not only serve to increase our understanding of the molecular processes by which Plasmodium completes its life cycle in the mosquito vector, but might also identify novel targets towards malaria transmission blocking.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 6177
Applicant Surname Runn
Approval Committee Immunology and Infectious Disease Funding Committee
Award Date 2006-02-08T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2005/06
Grant Programme: Title PhD Studentship (Basic)
Internal ID 075176/Z/04/A
Lead Applicant Ms Ellen Runn
Partnership Value 6177
Planned Dates: End Date 2008-09-30T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2005-10-01T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region Greater London
Sponsor(s) Prof Martin Allday