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RESEARCH NEWS

RESEARCH NEWS

RVC study explores malaria

invasion to help develop

life-saving vaccine

esearchers from the RVC and the Working with researchers from the Dr Ellen Knuepfer, lecturer in
University of Oxford have led an University of Oxford’s Higgins Laboratory, Vaccinology and RVC lead on this
innovative project investigating RVC researchers, led by Dr Ellen study, said: “Our study provided an
Rthe progression of malaria Knuepfer, used ‘structure-guided’ exciting opportunity to discover the
infection and the role of the parasite to molecular approaches to examine how fundamentals of how malaria parasites
better aid the development of an effective PfRCR is assembled and functions as a invade human red blood cells – a key
malaria vaccine and significantly reduce whole within Plasmodium parasites during step in the parasite’s life cycle that can
rates of deaths from the disease. the invasion of RBCs. be therapeutically targeted.
The study, which was funded by To date, the project has made huge “Our results demonstrate that the
the Wellcome Trust, observed the breakthroughs in the development of essential multi-protein PfRCR complex
cycles of parasites invading red blood effective vaccine targets to ward against does not function to create a molecular
cells (RBCs), replicating within them, the contraction and progression of pore in the red blood cell membrane but
and then spreading to infect new RBCs. malaria. This includes rationalising regions rather as a molecular bridge, connecting
From its observations, the project has within PfRCR to function as therapeutic the parasite to the red blood cell
determined that during the invasion of targets in helping to reduce rates of death membrane during invasion. Excitingly,
new RBCs by the parasite, a specialised from the disease. However, work remains new structural insights will help us to
protein complex (PfRCR) is secreted to be done to fully protect children against rationally design therapeutics that target
which forms a bridge for the parasite to malaria and help eradicate the disease, specific domains of this protein complex
facilitate entry into the next RBC. which remains one of the top 10 deadliest and hinder its function.”
diseases in the world.

Grant from The study team, led by Dirk Werling, on a topic which affects us all, global
Professor of Molecular Immunology
warming, but in a way that both animals
the Bezos and Director of the Centre for and humans benefit from it.”
Vaccinology and Regenerative
Dr Andy Jarvis, Director of the Future
Earth Fund Medicine, will establish the pattern of of Food at the Bezos Earth Fund,
methanogenic archaea’s colonisation.
said: “This project represents a
To do this, they will collect blood, moonshot in our efforts to reduce
saliva, ingesta and colostrum samples livestock methane emissions. The
he RVC has been awarded from Holstein-Friesian calves and their potential to apply the proven success
a £1.2m grant from the mothers. They will then analyse the of vaccines in global health to cattle
Bezos Earth Fund to explore samples to identify microbes and create and significantly cut emissions is both
Thow methane-producing cultures that can be shared for further ambitious and exciting.”
microorganisms colonise the GI tract analysis, as well as modifying and testing
of calves in the first six weeks of life the methanogen.
and how they impact the developing Professor Werling commented: “I am
immune system. extremely proud of being part of this
The research will provide vital information project, which brings together colleagues
on the optimal way to administer any working in different fields of animal health
potential vaccine to reduce methane in a very unique way. I believe that the
production from livestock, thus reducing funding we obtained from Bezos Earth
methane emissions. Fund will enable us to perform research
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