Classical and molecular genetics to identify the targets of protective immunity to malaria

Prof. R. Carter

Parasite strain-specific immunity to malaria, host preference, parasite virulence etc. are all genetically determined, biological phenotypes of malaria parasites. The parasite genes involved in determining these phenotypes are, in most such cases, unknown. The rodent malaria parasites Plasmodium chabaudi provides a suitable laboratory model with which to investigate such phenomena and their genetic basis.

Projects are offered which apply classical genetic recombination and molecular genetics to the identification of the genes which underlie such biological phenotypes of malaria parasites.