Characterising novel aspects of Plasmodium falciparum phosphorylation and pathogenesis

Malaria remains one of the greatest global health problems today. This thesis examined how malaria parasites make people sick by zooming in on the microscopic battlefield between human and parasite. It was discovered that two proteins, found only malaria parasites, appear to help the parasite evade the human immune system. It was also revealed that malaria parasites release factors into the blood which negatively impact the function of human red blood cells. Altogether, this work helps us to understand the remarkably unique biology of malaria parasites.