Abstract
Malaria is
a disease transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes infected by a Plasmodium parasite.
Controlling the mosquito population with repellents and reducing contact
between mosquitoes and humans are the first lines of defense to prevent Malaria
transmission. However, mosquitos quickly become resistant to insecticides, and
malaria parasites develop resistance to drugs. New approaches for malaria
control are desperately needed. Human malaria is caused by five different Plasmodium
species and transmitted by several mosquito species. Plasmodium
development in mosquitoes is essential for malaria transmission. Several
interactions between a mosquito and parasites occur in the midgut before
establishing infection. However, none of these interactions are conserved
across multiple species of Plasmodium and mosquitoes. Thus, the
discovery of a conserved pathway for malaria transmission may provide a
broad-spectrum target for interrupting malaria transmission through mosquitoes.
Dr. Li has developed compositions and methods for preventing/reducing malaria
transmission by decreasing/eliminating the formation of the malaria parasite
oocysts in the carriers (mosquitoes). It involves blocking the interaction between a midgut peritrophic
matrix (PM) protein of a mosquito and one or more surface antigens of a malaria
parasite. By targeting the interaction at the source, the malaria infection
might not take place, thus preventing or reducing the malaria transmission cycle.
The malaria transmission-blocking agent could be administered to the subject
suffering from malaria or as a preventive measure.Benefit
Prevention of malaria transmission from mosquito to animals– human and othersPrevention of malaria infection in the mosquitoMarket Application
Malaria vaccineMalaria treatment
