 Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program
B.S., Biology, Allegheny College, Meadville, PA
M.S., 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 parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum infects both mature and immature red blood cells (i.e., reticulocytes), while Plasmodium vivax, another human malaria parasite, preferentially invades reticulocytes. As reticulocytes are scarce in circulation, how reticulocyte-restricted parasites efficiently invade their target cells is unknown. These parasites may adhere to reticulocyte-rich tissue, such as bone marrow and spleen, increasing chances of target cell interaction. Using a reticulocyte-restricted murine malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii 17X, we aim to identify parasite proteins expressed on the RBC surface which mediate endothelial cell adhesion. We have developed an adherence assay that allows for isolation of parasites from adherent and non-adherent infected RBCs (iRBCs). Using P. yoelii DNA microarrays and a bioinformatics approach, we have identified 8 candidate adhesins whose expression is consistently associated with the adherence phenotype. Current studies involve characterization of a subset of these putative adhesins and aim to identify those that are expressed on the RBC surface and mediate sequestration in vivo. |