Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Role of perforin-like proteins and phospholipases in malaria parasite egress

Objective

The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, which causes ~600,000 deaths annually, propagates within host erythrocytes. Roughly synchronous egress of blood stage parasites in vivo causes the periodic fevers associated with malaria and is essential for parasite replication. Blocking parasite egress can stop disease progression, so understanding its mechanism is key to identifying new drug targets. Egress of malaria parasites from host erythrocytes involves the rupture of two membranes- the parasitophorous vacuole membrane and the erythrocyte membrane. It is unclear how the parasitophorous vacuole membrane ruptures during egress, and what mechanism is responsible for poration of the erythrocyte membrane. While it has been shown that egress is protease-dependent, the effector molecules that bring about the disruption of both membranes remain unknown. Potential effector molecules include parasite perforin-like proteins (PLPs) and phospholipases. This project aims to test the hypothesis that Plasmodium PLPs and phospholipases are involved in malarial egress. First, we will apply newly developed conditional knockout strategies to establish the role in egress of a candidate perforin-like protein. Second, we aim to devise a novel conditional genetic screen to identify egress related phospholipases in a medium-throughput manner. This work will add to the efforts being made to understand egress and will attempt to develop a much needed forward genetic screen in the malaria parasite. The interdisciplinary approach proposed here combines the experienced researcher (ER)’s skills in genomics and the host laboratory’s expertise in malarial cell biology and conditional knockout technologies. This will equip the ER with the right exposure and new skills to pursue a future independent research career in malaria research.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

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

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

THE FRANCIS CRICK INSTITUTE LIMITED
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.

€ 183 454,80
Address
1 MIDLAND ROAD
NW1 1AT London
United Kingdom

See on map

Region
London Inner London — West Camden and City of London
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
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.

€ 183 454,80
My booklet 0 0