VectorDisk: a microfluidic platform integrating diagnostic markers for evidence-based mosquito control (Publications)
identify mosquito and malaria parasite species as well as insecticide resistance mechanisms. In the second study, purified nucleic acids served as samples to test arboviral and malaria infective mosquito
Novel antimalarial tetrazoles and amides active against the hemoglobin degradation pathway in <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> (Publications)
Malaria control programs continue to be threatened by drug resistance. To identify new antimalarials, we conducted a phenotypic screen and identified a novel tetrazole-based series that shows fast-kill [...] polymerization pathway and that can form the basis of future optimization efforts to develop a new malaria treatment.
The catalytic subunit of <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> casein kinase 2 is essential for gametocytogenesis (Publications)
pleiotropic kinase phosphorylating substrates in different cellular compartments in eukaryotes. In the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, PfCK2 is vital for asexual proliferation of blood-stage parasites [...] PfCK2alpha catalytic subunit in gametocytes, the sexual forms of the parasite that are essential for malaria transmission. We show that PfCK2alpha localizes to the nucleus and cytoplasm in asexual and sexual
Estimating <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> transmission rates in low-endemic settings using a combination of community prevalence and health facility... (Publications)
As some malaria control programs shift focus from disease control to transmission reduction, there is a need for transmission data to monitor progress. At lower levels of transmission, it becomes increasingly [...] studies. Many programs conduct regular cross sectional parasite prevalence surveys, and have access to malaria treatment data routinely collected by ministries of health, often in health management information
Adherence to and acceptability of artemether-lumefantrine as first-line anti-malarial treatment: evidence from a rural community in Tanzania (Publications)
six-dose regimen of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) therapy for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria results in cure rates > 95% with good tolerability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was [...] the context of the ALIVE study, a prospective, community-based, observational study in a rural, malaria-endemic area of Tanzania. Following microscopic confirmation of P. falciparum infection, the first
Multiplexed ddPCR-amplicon sequencing reveals isolated <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> populations amenable to local elimination in Zanzibar, Tanzania (Publications)
Zanzibar has made significant progress toward malaria elimination, but recent stagnation requires novel approaches. We developed a highly multiplexed droplet digital PCR (ddPCR)-based amplicon sequencing [...] genetic structure across the Zanzibar archipelago and provides actionable insights for prioritizing malaria elimination efforts.
Structure-activity relationships and antiplasmodial potencies of novel 3,4-disubstituted 1,2,5-oxadiazoles (Publications)
The 4-substituted 3-amino-1,2,5-oxadiazole 1 from the Malaria Box Project of the Medicines for Malaria Venture foundation shows very promising selectivity and in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum
Addressing the intracellular vestibule of the plasmodial lactate transporter PfFNT by p-substituted inhibitors amplifies <em>in vitro</em> activity (Publications)
Inhibition of the lactate transporter PfFNT is a valid novel mode of action against malaria parasites. Current pyridine-substituted pentafluoro-3-hydroxy-pent-2-en-1-ones act as substrate analogs with [...] metabolized, the more stable p-acetanilide cleared 99.7% of parasites at 4 × 50 mg kg(-1) in a mouse malaria model. Future stabilization of the p-substitution against metabolism may translate the gain in in
Spatial and temporal characteristics of laboratory-induced <em>Anopheles coluzzii</em> swarms: shape, structure, and flight kinematics (Publications)
Malaria mosquitoes mate in swarms, but how these swarms are formed and maintained remains poorly understood. We characterized three-dimensional spatiotemporal flight kinematics of Anopheles coluzzii males [...] results in the observed elliptical cone swarm shape. We discuss the implications of these finding on malaria mosquito mating success, speciation and for vector control. © 2024 The Author(s)
Micro-epidemiological structuring of <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> parasite populations in regions with varying transmission intensities in Africa (Publications)
Background: The first models of malaria transmission assumed a completely mixed and homogeneous population of parasites. Recent models include spatial heterogeneity and variably mixed populations. However [...] pairs is predicted by relatedness in space and time. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that targeted malaria control will benefit the surrounding community, but unfortunately also that emerging drug resistance
