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SUMMARY:Adaptation of the cytoskeleton for pathogenicity in the malaria pa
 rasite - Josie Ferreira
DTSTART:20240123T120000Z
DTEND:20240123T130000Z
UID:TALK210805@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:90994
DESCRIPTION:To ensure disease transmission\, the malaria parasite undergoe
 s multiple rounds of metamorphosis\, as it entirely alters its cell morpho
 logy to promote uptake and establishment in the mosquito vector and human 
 host. Two cytoskeletal components play essential roles in this process: mi
 crotubules and actin. \n \nWithin each new ecological niche\, microtubules
  drive the single-celled parasite’s successive cellular transformations.
  Microtubules have been studied extensively and their architecture and com
 position are established to be highly conserved. Using focussed ion beam m
 illing and electron cryo tomography\, we recently studied distinct stages 
 in the Plasmodium falciparum life cycle. This revealed that the parasite h
 as microtubules which are evolved to undertake specific roles in each life
  cycle stage with structures that are strikingly different from the well-s
 tudied canonical microtubules in vertebrates.  \n \nWhile unique microtubu
 les drive cellular transformations\, filamentous actin ensures several par
 asite stages can migrate between different niches.  These stages utilise a
  unique form of motility\, termed gliding motility\, which relies on a spe
 cialised actomyosin motor system. Our recent work on actively gliding para
 sites sheds light on this process and highlights novel roles of parasite a
 ctin in other cellular locations. Together\, this work provides unanticipa
 ted insights into adaptations of the parasite’s cytoskeleton\, highlight
 ing areas of novelty where the parasite has diverged from the biology of t
 he host.\n\n
LOCATION:Jean Thomas Lecture theatre\, Sanger Building\, Tennis Court Road
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