Division of Molecular Parasitology

Research Objectives

Malaria is one of the most devastating infectious diseases, which kills around 600,000 people in the world. Our aim is to understand the molecular mechanisms of malarial infection, which will promote the development of novel anti-malaria strategies. Using rodent malaria parasites (Plasmodium berghei and Plasmodium yoelii), we are studying how malaria parasites infect two different hosts, mammalians and mosquitos by reverse genetical-, biochemical-, or morphological- analyses.

We intend to elucidate the functions of secretary proteins which might be involved in hepatocytes infection, that is the key step for transmission to mammalians. In addition, in cooperation with collabolators in Thailand, we search for candidate proteins to develop the transmission blocking vaccines.

Lab Website

• Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University

Collaborative Partner

• Mahidol Vivax Research Center, Bangkok, Thailand