Kristen Weaver

Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program
BS – Biology
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Advisor: Dr. James Burns

Thesis Research Summary

Acquired immunity to malaria has been indicated in humans living in endemic areas of infection as well as in a variety of animal models. These observations are evidential that the development of an efficacious vaccine against malaria is a tangible goal. In support of that aim, I am focusing on murine vaccine/challenge studies using Merozoite Surface Protein-8, a parasite antigen expressed during blood malaria infection. Although MSP-8 is not essential for in vitro invasion of red blood cells, vaccination of mice with MSP-8 confers protection. I will be generating a MSP-8 knock out strain of Plasmodium berghei and asking how the course of infection is effected as measured by antibody titers, parasitemia data, and survival curves. In addition, I am isolating and purifying recombinant MSP-8 antigen for use in further vaccine trials.

Concurrently, I am interested in studying the dynamics of the murine splenic immune response during the course of infection with Plasmodium chabaudi. Using previously generated microarray data comparing relative RNA levels on various days post infection, I will be using real time PCR to elucidate the changes in gene expression, specifically as those changes relate to a Th1 versus Th2 response. It has been established in the literature that an early and robust Th1 response aids in maintaining a decreased parasitemia as well as improved clearance of infection.