Characterisation of malaria PHIST-domain proteins

Proteins containing a PHIST (Plasmodium helical interspersed sub-telomeric) domain constitute a multi- member family that are present in the most important species of human malaria parasites. Although the family is largely uncharacterised, preliminary information on the function of a few characterised members suggest that they play major roles in pathogenesis. This project will use a combination of molecular, cellular, proteomic and biophysical approaches to characterise defined members of PHIST proteins to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms by which malaria parasites cause human disease. This will involve both in vitro studies of protein interaction and ex vivo studies of protein fate and action in transgenic parasites. Specifically, your studies will contribute to an overall analysis of the expression and cellular localisation of previously uncharacterised PHISTs, determine their function in PRBCs and identify the host and/or parasite proteins with which they interact.