Parasitology
Our multidisciplinary malaria program includes the study of the molecular and immunological mechanisms involved in the induced protective T cell responses against Plasmodium-infected hepatocytes (Drs. Azad, Sacci, and Sedegah), vaccine development and testing (Drs. Levine and Sztein), and molecular epidemiology (Dr. Plowe). Because very few exoerythrocytic-stage antigens have been discovered or characterized, ongoing projects have been aimed at identifying new
antigens, through molecular approaches, and defining what role these antigens have in the induction of protective immune responses. Detailed studies are also underway to assess the role of specific antigens in protective immunity induced by irradiated sporozoites in the Plasmodium yoelii mouse model.
The CVD group (Drs. Levine and Sztein) have been studying sporozoite and blood-stage antigens as potential components of a malaria subunit vaccine using a Salmonella-delivery system. The investigators in the malaria program have an extensive history of collaboration with scientists at the Laboratory of Parasitology at the NIH, Malaria Programs of The Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI), and The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). These interactions have provided a rich environment for training graduate students in the various aspects of malaria research.
In addition, Dr. Lyke studies the human immune response to parasites and participates in field, clinical and immunologic studies of Plasmodium falciparum and Schistosoma haematobium infections.