By studying specifically evolved RNA regulatory processes in the malaria parasite, we aim to understand how this single-cell organism is capable of replicating within and transmitting between multiple different tissues and organisms.
Being both fascinated and dismayed by the adaptability of the human malaria parasite that makes it such a severe disease agent, the Baumgarten Lab tries to break down the parasites virulence and efficiency to the most basic building blocks of life. In our case, this means deciphering how the specific interactions of RNA molecules and their RNA-binding proteins help the parasite to populate multiple different host and vector environments, while at the same time follow a precisely times developmental program.
