Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program
BS, Biology, Allegheny College, Meadville, PA
MS, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Email: amy.cernetich@drexel.edu

Advisor: Dr. James Burns
 
Thesis Research Summary

Malaria is a serious public health concern that is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium. Despite many advances there is no vaccine currently available. Investigators working in the laboratory of Dr. Burns are focused on the development of protective immunity against blood-stage malaria and primarily studies merozoite surface proteins (MSPs) such as MSP-8. We have also developed a chimeric antigen (MSP-1/8) and are testing its ability to elicit protective immune responses in a variety of mouse models including lethal P. yoelii 17XL and non-lethal P. yoelii 17X. We have discovered that immunization with MSP-8 causes P. yoelii 17XL, which normally invades both mature and immature red blood cells (i.e., reticulocytes), to preferentially invade reticulocytes. DNA microarray analysis of breakthrough parasites from immunized animals reveals differential expression of several members of the pyst-a and yir gene families, which are predicted to encode parasite proteins expressed on the RBC surface. Specifically my project will focus on characterization of these proteins and will examine their potential role in parasite adherence to reticulocyte-rich regions such as spleen and bone marrow. In vitro adherence assays using reticulocyte-restricted P. yoelii 17X and DNA microarray analysis will be utilized to aid in this characterization.