The Daily Lab studies pathogenesis in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We carry out field based translational studies in cohorts infected with malaria in Africa and these inform our experimental laboratory based efforts. Patients infected with this parasite can be completely asymptomatic or develop severe disease resulting in death. The goal of our research has been to define the molecular mechanisms that underlie this variation in disease outcomes.

Toward this goal, we have developed a new pathogenesis model through the analysis of in vivo parasite and host biology using a whole genome approach. We have identified novel parasite biology when it resides in the human host; this biology has not been reported under in vitro cultivation and may play a role in enhanced virulence and/or transmission capacity. Host responses have key roles in mediating infection outcomes. Similarly, we are defining the human blood transcriptional responses during mild and severe disease in pediatric and adult cohorts to identify specific host pathways and molecules that are associated with disease outcomes. From these datasets we have selected host and parasite molecules to functionally test their role in disease outcomes. In addition we characterize host and parasite small molecules during infection using a complementary approach, to inform the pathogenesis model. These molecules could serve as novel drug targets and/or prognostic markers of disease outcomes.