Priscilla Ngotho
Postdoctoral research assistant
Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow
As malaria elimination becomes the focus of research in the field, there is a push to develop novel approaches to control transmission from human to mosquito.
In combination with the RTS,S vaccine, transmission blocking vaccines (TBV) will be crucial in attaining malaria elimination.
In combination with the RTS,S vaccine, transmission blocking vaccines (TBV) will be crucial in attaining malaria elimination.
What are your research interests?
Cellular and molecular interactions between the mammalian host and Plasmodium parasites
Immune responses to Plasmodium transmission stages (gametocytes)
Host RBC surface remodelling by malaria parasites
Tell us about yourself and your research interests?
As malaria elimination becomes the focus of research in the field, there is a push to develop novel approaches to control transmission from human to mosquito.
In combination with the RTS,S vaccine, transmission blocking vaccines (TBV) will be crucial in attaining malaria elimination. It is therefore imperative to understand mechanisms of transmission reducing immunity (TRI), my current area of research.
I am interested in host-parasite interactions and how this impacts acquired TRI towards identifying candidates for vaccine development. I work on the lethal human parasite Plasmodium falciparum as well as the model rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei, with a focus on the blood stages (infected RBCs – iRBCs) which are responsible for malaria pathogenesis and transmission to mosquitoes. I am currently studying how the sexual stages of P. falciparum remodel the host RBC and the effect of this on immunity and clearance of the parasite infected cell. For this project I am (i) measuring expression of surface antigens in order to identify vaccine candidates and (ii) assessing lipid composition of the iRBC membrane during the sexual life cycle to understand mechanisms by which the parasite remodels the host cell. In parallel I am looking at acquisition of transmission reducing immunity in P falciparum and in the mouse malaria model parasite P. berghei. For this project I am looking at naturally acquired or vaccine induced antibodies to sexual stage iRBC the mechanisms of action of these antibodies on parasite clearance.
In combination with the RTS,S vaccine, transmission blocking vaccines (TBV) will be crucial in attaining malaria elimination. It is therefore imperative to understand mechanisms of transmission reducing immunity (TRI), my current area of research.
I am interested in host-parasite interactions and how this impacts acquired TRI towards identifying candidates for vaccine development. I work on the lethal human parasite Plasmodium falciparum as well as the model rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei, with a focus on the blood stages (infected RBCs – iRBCs) which are responsible for malaria pathogenesis and transmission to mosquitoes. I am currently studying how the sexual stages of P. falciparum remodel the host RBC and the effect of this on immunity and clearance of the parasite infected cell. For this project I am (i) measuring expression of surface antigens in order to identify vaccine candidates and (ii) assessing lipid composition of the iRBC membrane during the sexual life cycle to understand mechanisms by which the parasite remodels the host cell. In parallel I am looking at acquisition of transmission reducing immunity in P falciparum and in the mouse malaria model parasite P. berghei. For this project I am looking at naturally acquired or vaccine induced antibodies to sexual stage iRBC the mechanisms of action of these antibodies on parasite clearance.
What is your home country?
Kenya (UK resident)
What are your online profiles?