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The implications of this video are stunning. This is the closest we have ever been to understanding the invasion process of the parasite at a molecular level. P

by gnok 16y ago

The implications of this video are stunning. This is the closest we have ever been to understanding the invasion process of the parasite at a molecular level. Perhaps this will finally lead to a viable and effective vaccine for Malaria. This disease is a major killer in tropical and sub-tropical regions and any real vaccine can save literally millions of lives. The abstract is at http://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/abstract/S1931-3128(10)00413-0 http://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/abstract/S1931-3128(10... The actual PDF is at http://download.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/pdf/PIIS1931312810004130.pdf?intermediate=true http://download.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/pdf/PIIS193131281... EDITed for PDF link

sorbus 16y ago
You're being a bit hyperbolic[1]. The video included in the article, at least, is low resolution, jittery, and grainy. It says absolutely nothing about the methods used by Malaria to enter the blood cells, much less "at a molecular level." It's cool, of course, just not quite as cool as you're suggesting. Admittedly, the fact that the second parasite completely ignored the infected cell is really interesting - if how it knew to ignore the infected cell was known, that would be a huge advance. [1] And I'm being a bit cynical. Hopefully we'll balance out.
- gnok 16y ago
  Possibly. I should have been more clear though; I really meant 'study' instead of 'video'. I'm ecstatic because of this: 'The ability to dissect in detail the spatial and temporal localization of key molecular and cellular events during P. falciparum merozoite invasion provides a powerful platform to explore strategies to block the process.' That's from the discussion section in the paper. Your cynicism is highly warranted though. Its taken awfully long for us to understand this common and curable disease; there's no reason to expect that a usable vaccine will be available soon.

by gnok 16y ago

sorbus 16y ago

You're being a bit hyperbolic[1]. The video included in the article, at least, is low resolution, jittery, and grainy. It says absolutely nothing about the methods used by Malaria to enter the blood cells, much less "at a molecular level." It's cool, of course, just not quite as cool as you're suggesting. Admittedly, the fact that the second parasite completely ignored the infected cell is really interesting - if how it knew to ignore the infected cell was known, that would be a huge advance. [1] And I'm being a bit cynical. Hopefully we'll balance out.

gnok 16y ago
Possibly. I should have been more clear though; I really meant 'study' instead of 'video'. I'm ecstatic because of this: 'The ability to dissect in detail the spatial and temporal localization of key molecular and cellular events during P. falciparum merozoite invasion provides a powerful platform to explore strategies to block the process.' That's from the discussion section in the paper. Your cynicism is highly warranted though. Its taken awfully long for us to understand this common and curable disease; there's no reason to expect that a usable vaccine will be available soon.