The Integrative Parasitology group of Richárd Bártfai conducts research on Malaria, aiming to decipher transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms that govern the development of P. falciparum and its interaction with the human host. Insights into gene regulatory mechanism of the malaria parasite will hopefully lead to development of antimalarial compounds. The group is part of RIMLS-Science.
Integrative Parasitology
Research group
Research focus
The group is exploring the biology of malaria parasites and their delicate interaction with the human host. We integrate (single-cell) multi-omic, bioinformatic, biochemical and genetic engineering approaches to identify key gene regulatory mechanisms that enable the parasite to develop and adapt to its host environment. These studies provide molecular insights into regulatory processes essential for the parasite survival and hence critical knowledge for the development of improved intervention strategies.
Epigenetic regulation of malaria parasite development and adaptation
- Histone marks and chromatin associated protein(complexe)s
- Molecular mechanisms regulating chromatin dynamics
- Transcriptional and epigenetic regulators of life cycle progression
- Novel methods to investigate chromatin biology
Host-parasite iteration regulating liver stage development of malaria parasites
- Parasite intrinsic factors regulating dormancy or development
- Host factors influencing dormancy and development
- Improved hepatic infection models
News
About the Integrative Parasitology group
Click on one of the links below for more information about this research group or contact one of the members of this group.
Principal investigator
Postdocs
Abhisek Kanyal
Gala Ramón-Zamorano
Martijn van den Broek
PhD students
Jonas Gockel
Ruth Zondag
Technician
- Toenhake CG, Voorberg-van der Wel A, Wu H, Kanyal A, Nieuwenhuis IG, van der Werff NM, et al. (2023) Epigenetically regulated RNA-binding proteins signify malaria hypnozoite dormancy. Cell Reports. 42(7):112727. Full text
- Birnbaum J, Scharf S, Schmidt S, Jonscher E, Hoeijmakers WAM, et al. (2020) A Kelch13-defined endocytosis pathway mediates artemisinin resistance in malaria parasites. Science; 367(6473):51-59. Full text
- Hoeijmakers, WAM, Miao, J, Schmidt, S, Toenhake, CG, Shrestha, S, Venhuizen, J et al. (2019) Epigenetic reader complexes of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Nucleic Acids Research; 47 (22):11574-11588. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkz1044. Full text
- Toenhake, CG, Fraschka, SA, Vijayabaskar, MS, Westhead, DR, van Heeringen, SJ, Bártfai, R. (2018) Chromatin Accessibility-Based Characterization of the Gene Regulatory Network Underlying Plasmodium falciparum Blood-Stage Development. Cell Host & Microbe ;23 (4):557-569.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2018.03.007. Full text
- Fraschka, SA, Filarsky, M, Hoo, R, Niederwieser, I, Yam, XY, Brancucci, NMB et al. (2018) Comparative Heterochromatin Profiling Reveals Conserved and Unique Epigenome Signatures Linked to Adaptation and Development of Malaria Parasites. Cell Host & Microbe; 23 (3):407-420.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2018.01.008. Full text
About Richárd Bártfai
Dr. Richárd Bártfai is an internationally recognised expert of gene regulatory mechanisms with particular focus on epigenetic regulation of malaria parasite and their vertebrate host. He develops and integrates various transcriptomic, proteomic, epigenomic and bioinformatic methods to explore gene regulatory mechanisms that govern parasite development and its interaction with the host. Insights into molecular processes essential for development and survival of the parasite in its human host might prove invaluable in our fight against this deadly disease.
Behind the scenes
Contact information
Interested in our research or would you like to join our group? Please get in touch with Vesna Andonov.