Siden-kiamo

Biography

Malaria is a disease having a huge impact on human health and economic development with about half a million lethal cases every year. It is primarily a disease of less developed countries in Africa and South East Asia. Malaria is controlled by drugs targeting the parasite in the human host and insecticides to limit the exposure to the mosquito. However, resistance of the parasite to the drugs used and of the mosquitoes to the insecticides threaten these strategies. No vaccine is currently available. Malaria is caused by unicellular protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which are transmitted by anopheline mosquitoes. It is recognized that in order to eliminate or even eradicate the disease, methods to block transmission through the mosquito are crucial prerequisites. However, the development of such methods is hampered by the fact that these parasite stages are not well understood.  

Research Interest

The research in our laboratory centers on understanding key events during the development of the parasite within the mosquito using a combination of techniques such as reverse genetics together with cell and molecular biology. Our own expertise is complemented with that of collaborating groups around the world.