Biology
Research in the Guler Malaria Lab focuses on the human-infective malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Some of our projects are described below: We are interested in underlying mechanisms that drive genetic change in parasites during the development of antimalarial resistance. Our studies in this area utilize a range of cellular, biochemical and molecular techniques to uncover pathways that are important for this process. Some genetic alterations that arise during antimalarial exposure drive metabolic adaptation in the parasite. By employing metabolite profiling paired with computational modeling to investigate these slight adjustments, we aim to reveal unique pathways that enhance parasite survival. We partner with researchers in malaria endemic countries to apply our predictions from lab-based models to investigations with patient-isolated parasites. These studies inform our knowledge of general parasite adaptation and its effect on disease severity.