Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-31-2021

Abstract

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease that is spread to humans by mosquitos. Developing a successful vaccine for malaria has been a remarkable challenge. Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, is a complex organism that transforms into unique forms and infects multiple organs within the human host throughout its life cycle. In these studies we describe a virus-like particle (VLP)-based approach to developing a vaccine for malaria that targets discrete and specific sites on invading sporozoites during the pre-erythrocytic stage of infection. VLPs are noninfectious, self-assembling particles derived from viral structural proteins, and are safe and highly immunogenic. VLPs can be altered to multivalently display peptide antigens and can elicit antibody responses directed against a site of vulnerability of a pathogen. For the P. falciparum parasite, we use VLPs to target a specific portion of the invading parasite to inhibit its progression through the pre-erythrocytic life stage.

Keywords

Malaria, vaccine, VLPs

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Biomedical Sciences

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program

First Committee Member (Chair)

Bryce Chackerian

Second Committee Member

Kathryn Frietze

Third Committee Member

Pamela Hall

Fourth Committee Member

David Peabody

Download

Share

COinS