Four species of malaria parasite naturally infect humans. Of these, Plasmodium falciparum is by far the most serious threat to health. Infections with this organism cause 1- 2 million childhood deaths per annum in Sub-Saharan Africa alone. The particular virulence of this species is due to a combination a high rate of multiplication and the way in which it alters the membrane of the host erythrocyte.

These pages will give you more information about the work of the Molecular Parasitology group.