A comparative genomic approach to investigate the molecular basis of host cell specificity and

hemozoin formation in malaria parasites

P.R.I.M.E. Research Project

Janus Borner

20 November 2017

Malaria

● 429,000 deaths worldwide in 2015 (WHO 2016)

● caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium

● transmitted via mosquitoes

● malaria parasites infect nearly all terrestrial vertebrate groups

● at least five species have independently acquired the ability to infect humans

Typical Plasmodium life cycle

● asexual reproduction in the red blood cells

● hemoglobin digestion → formation of hemozoin

● sequencing efforts have focused on the agents of human malaria and on Plasmodium parasites with similar biology(model species) from:

● apes

● monkeys

● rodents

Genome projects

A three-species system

● P.R.I.M.E. project focuses on Plasmodium parasites with atypical life history traits

● three Plasmodium species infect the same Anolis host:

● P. floridense follows the typical Plasmodium life cycle

● P. leucocytica infects leukocytes instead of erythrocytes

● P. azurophilum infects erythrocytes but does not produce hemozoin

Comparative genomic approach

● comparison of genome data may help identify new genes that are involved in the recognition and invasion of host cells and the formation of hemozoin pigment

● key pathways for parasite survival

● I will look for evidence of positive selection, gene family expansion/contraction, loss of function

Scientific hosts

● genome sequencing and annotation will be carried out at the American Museum of Natural History (New York) in the lab of Prof. Dr. Susan Perkins

Scientific hosts

● bioinformatic analyses of adaptive evolutionary processes will be performed at the University of Ulm in the lab of Prof. Dr. Simone Sommer

Thank you!