Burnet Institute of Australia Successfully Filmed Malaria Parasite

Path-breaking finding in the research of malaria parasite

In Victoria’s Burnet Institute, Doctors were able to successfully film a sequence of events by the use of microscopy, in which a malaria parasite breached into a red blood cell and in the process activating the immune system of the body, which saw two antibodies countering the parasite. It helped the Scientist of Oxford to find out that the two different types of antibodies are working simultaneously to combat the malaria parasite. Matt Higgins of Oxford University, who is a Molecular Parasitologist praised the work done by Australian scientists in this pivotal research. Higgins also talked about the work done in Oxford to find out different antibodies that work together, this particular group of antibodies, without being protecting themselves, were able to help other protective antibodies to increase their efficiency. The antibodies were effective in slowing down the invasion process, but they didn’t have enough evidence to prove their hypothesis correct. The film made by the Australian researchers was able to approve this theory. It showcased how the defense mechanism of our body triggered by this parasitic invasion, allows the protective antibodies to attack the weak point of the parasite, which ultimately slows them down.

The new vaccine is still years away

The recent finding will help in the development of the new vaccine, which attacks parasites when it tries to enter the red blood cells. Previously the medication that was available, only able to attack the illness, when it first gets into the system and affect the liver. This is a tremendous finding which will ultimately help in replacing the tablets with an injection, which are only 40% effective in countering the parasite. In an experiment, scientists from Oxford injected the vaccine into few people, meant for RH5 protein, then the Australian team filmed two different kinds of antibodies working together to stop the parasite who is trying to enter red blood cells. One antibody was able to disrupt the speed of the parasite from 20 seconds to 1 minute, it allowed the second antibody to infuse with the malaria parasite and stop it from infecting the red blood cells. This new procedure helped the second antibody to gain the effectiveness of 10 %. Burnet Institute head of cell imaging Paul Gilson said, “For scientists, malaria was a tricky parasite to target because it was always one step ahead. It might take several years for them to produce the desired immune response and, of course, and then the vaccine will have to undergo clinical trials and field trials to make sure that it’s safe.” The doctors also entertaining the idea to utilize synergistic way antibodies to develop effective vaccines for different illnesses in the future.