Présentation
The Leitmotif of the BIHP research group can be summarized as follows: “From basic research to new intervention strategies against malaria parasites”. The teams investigate various topics related to blood stage infection such as immune evasion strategies, chronic infection, erythrocyte adhesion and parasite molecules that stimulate inflammation. State-of-the-art molecular, cellular and genetic methods are used to tackle fundamental question on monoallelic gene expression of virulence genes to the functional expression of surface adhesion proteins and host factors (cellular and molecular) contributing to pathogenesis. Although the majority of our research is conducted on the human malaria parasite P. falciparum, we use the rodent mouse model P. bergheito gain insight into the interplay of host and malaria parasite factors in pathogenesis. Clearly, certain parasites genes only reveal their function when studied in the context of the host infection. Conceptual discoveries and advances will be validated in malaria endemic regions using various established collaborations (Institute Pasteur network members in Senegal and Madagascar and other endemic regions).