Malaria Protein Trafficking & Host Cell Remodelling
The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Malaria is the most important parasitic infection of humanity. Every year, Plasmodium parasites infect over 600 million people worldwide, resulting in over 2 million deaths. Drug resistance is now widespread, highlighting an urgent need for new antimalarial therapies.
After entering a human, the malaria parasite must export hundreds of virulence proteins into the host cell in order to evade the body’s immune responses and survive.
Dr Boddey’s research has determined the mechanism used to export these proteins into the host cell. This research has identified a single parasite protein, Plasmepsin V, as the controller of protein export. Dr Boddey’s current work is directed at developing inhibitors of Plasmepsin V in the hope of killing the parasite, and investigating whether the same mechanism of export is used elsewhere in infection.
Justin is a dynamic and enthusiastic speaker and it is clear that he enjoys his vocation and conveying this through communication to the community.