The malaria parasite-infected human red blood cell cytoadheres to receptors on the endothelial cells in vital organs of its host by expressing virulence complex proteins on its host cell surface. These proteins traffic through parasite established organelles in the host cell, Maurer’s clefts.

In this project we will characterise the assembly and function of the individual virulence complex components in a cellular context. Techniques include generating transgenic P. falciparum cell lines, functional biochemical analytical assays and mutant characterisation by various advanced microscopy techniques.