Abstract

Single-cell transcriptomics has revolutionized our understanding of parasite populations. Using this technology, we are now able to understand how a unicellular organism coordinates gene expression throughout development and in response to environmental cues. I will discuss my work in the Malaria Cell Atlas project, which profiled single-cell transcriptomes from across the life cycles of diverse malaria parasites. I will demonstrate how we can use these data to assign potential gene function based on modules of co-expression over developmental time and identify how selection may be acting at different places in the life cycle. Focusing on mosquito stage parasites, I will show how conserved and divergent patterns of gene usage between parasite species point to both essential mechanisms in malaria transmission and species-specific adaptations potentially linked to host tropism. Finally, I will discuss how follow up studies have given insight into functional context and have tied observed expression patterns to unique morphological forms.

This talk will be broadcasted via Zoom. Please use this link to gain access.