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Sexual Commitment of Malaria Parasites: Investigation Into the Epigenetic Control of Plasmodium Gametocytogenesis

Objective

Malaria is one of the major threats for human health worldwide and caused by unicellular organisms of the Plasmodium genus. Within their mosquito vector and human host malaria parasites replicate almost exclusively asexually. In order to be transmitted to mosquitoes formerly asexual parasites instead develop into gametocytes, which are the only forms that can infect mosquitoes. Understanding the switch of asexual to sexual replication could offer new routes towards therapeutic intervention in sexual development and transmission. However, the molecular details of commitment to gametocytogenesis remain largely unknown, and only recently the AP2-G transcription factor was identified as master regulator of gametocytogenesis.
Gametocyte formation is a dead end for enduring infection and therefore sexual commitment has to be suitably regulated to ensure prolonged infection and transmission at the same time. The proposed research project aims to elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms which controls gametocytogenesis in malaria parasites infectious to rodents and humans, and intends to identify key molecular factors which regulate repression and activation of the ap2-g locus. The project will shed new light on the molecular mechanisms controlling sexual commitment and general gene expression in Plasmodium, with implications for therapeutic intervention in transmission and development of malaria parasites.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2014

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 195 454,80
Address
UNIVERSITY AVENUE
G12 8QQ Glasgow
United Kingdom

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Region
Scotland West Central Scotland Glasgow City
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 195 454,80
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