Control of infections by Apicomplexan pathogens: from novel drug targets to prediction

The subject of this research proposal is control of Apicomplexan protozoan infections, focusing on the most clinically significant ones, which include Plasmodium spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. Plasmodium is the causative agent of malaria which is still a formidable global health problem, killing around a million people annually while Toxoplasma is the most successful parasite on Earth, infecting one third of mankind. Multidisciplinary research to advance control of these infections will encompass approaches ranging from determination of novel drug targets, development of new drugs and examination of their in vitro and in vivo efficacy, clinical research in terms of advancement of diagnosis and genotyping of the isolated strains for targeted therapy, to advancement of prevention and modelling prediction. Basic research will focus on cell transporting processes and transporters as potential novel drug targets, as well as examination of the anti-Plasmodium and anti-Toxoplasma activity of newly synthesized substances in experimental murine models of malaria and toxoplasmosis. Applied research will focus on examination of the genetic variability of the strains isolated from clinical materials as well as analytical epidemiology and epizootiology of the relevant infections. The obtained data will present a basis for the development of new drugs as well as contribute to the advancement of public health by proposing a national strategy for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis.