[955] Signalling in malaria parasites
Our Mission
Our laboratory is committed to deepening the understanding of the unique biology of malaria-causing parasites, with the goal of pioneering innovative drug interventions.
The Challenge
Malaria remains a significant global health challenge. Caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes, the disease continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year. Despite notable progress—largely due to the widespread use of insecticide-treated bed nets and artemisinin-based combination therapies—Plasmodium falciparum remains the deadliest of the malaria parasites, responsible for an estimated 263 million clinical cases and 597,000 deaths in 2023. Alarmingly, resistance to the latest generation of artemisinin derivatives is emerging, marked by slower parasite clearance rates. This underscores the urgent need for antimalarial drugs with novel mechanisms of action.
Our Research
Our research focuses on how Plasmodium parasites translate external stimuli into cellular responses that regulate critical stages of their lifecycle. These include erythrocyte egress and invasion, colonization of the mosquito midgut, and liver cell infection. By uncovering these regulatory mechanisms, we have identified key vulnerabilities in the parasite that are now being targeted in the search for new antimalarial compounds.
In collaboration with the Centriole Lab, we pioneered the application of expansion microscopy in malaria research, fundamentally transforming how we study the parasite’s cellular biology. This powerful technique has enabled us to visualize previously undetectable cytoskeletal structures that are unique to the parasitic lifestyle.
Our Educational Role
Beyond research, our lab plays an active role in education, particularly in the fields of infectious diseases and cell signalling. Professor Brochet currently leads the first year of the Bachelor of Human Medicine program and heads the Infectious Disease Teaching Unit within the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva.