Targeting Plasmodium falciparum Gametocytes

疟疾的传播依赖于配子体，配子体是寄生虫发育的有性阶段，蚊子在捕食感染者时占据了这一阶段。虽然配子体不是疾病症状的原因，但很明显，如果不了解配子体的生物学和防止传播的工具，根除疟疾是不可能的。我的研究重点是了解配子细胞的生物学，并为传播阻断策略寻找新的药物靶点。

The transmission of malaria is dependent on gametocytes, the sexual stages of parasite development that are taken up by mosquitoes when feeding on an infected person. While gametocytes are not responsible for disease symptoms, it is clear that malaria eradication is not be possible without an understanding of their biology and the tools to prevent transmission. My research focuses on understanding the biology of gametocytes and identifying new drug targets for transmission blocking strategies.