Malaria remains one of the world’s most devastating infectious diseases. This thesis focuses on the gametocyte stage of Plasmodium falciparum, which is essential for transmission to mosquitoes. By investigating the parasite’s protein complexes and cellular ultrastructure, the study revealed that its mitochondria—often described as the cell’s powerhouses—are larger, more complex, and more active than previously assumed. Gametocytes were found to contain multiple mitochondria and undergo a major metabolic shift compared to other life cycle stages. These findings expose fundamental differences between parasite and human cells, offering potential starting points for novel treatment strategies.
Felix Evers (1995) studied Biology at Radboud University and obtained an MSc in Biotechnology from Wageningen University. He completed his PhD at Radboudumc on mitochondrial complexes in malaria parasites. Since 2023, he has worked as a researcher in the Vector Biology group, developing an artificial skin platform to study the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes.