Prof. Dr. Friedrich Frischknecht (Heidelberg / DE), Mirko Singer (Heidelberg / DE), Kevin Walz (Heidelberg / DE), Annika Binder (Heidelberg / DE), Johanna Ripp (Heidelberg / DE), Katharina Quadt (Heidelberg / DE), Leon Lettermann (Heidelberg / DE), Ulrich Schwarz (Heidelberg / DE)
Abstract text
Plasmodium sporozoites are the forms of the malaria parasites transmitted by mosquitoes. They are slender, slightly curved cells that can migrate at high speed. While a number of proteins are known to be essential for migration, we have only a very limited understanding of the interplay between these. In order to migrate sporozoites need to attach to a substrate, generate force onto the substrate and to move forward and they have to detach the adhesive sites from the substrate. We have used a number of imaging and biophysics assays along with the generation of mutant parasites and will present some of these, such a laser trap and traction force experiments to measure force as well as 3D electron tomography to investigate the cytoskeleton of the parasite. Currently we are investigating the role of chiral elements in the migration of the parasite using a mix of in silico modelling, expansion microscopy and analysis of mutant parasites. These mutants lack actin or microtubule binding proteins that lead to non-chiral motility of the sporozoites.