Integrative Parasitology

Research focus

The group, led by Richárd Bártfai, 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

Publications

• Ramón-Zamorano G, Mainye S, Kimmel J, de Krijger I, Kanyal A, Horáčková V, Gockel J, Guo Y, Petter M, Graser M, Guillén-Samander A, Vermeulen M, Spielmann T*, Bártfai R* (2025) Protein landscape of the chromatin states in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum bioRxiv (under revision at Cell Host & Microbes) 2025.09.23.678001  Full text
• Kanyal A, van Gemert GJ, Wu H, van der Starre A, de Wilt JHW, Bousema T, Sauerwein RW, Bartfai R*, Yang ASP* (2024) Inhibition of Wnt signaling in primary human hepatocytes promotes Plasmodium falciparum liver stage development PLoS Pathogens 21(12): e1013800. Full text
• Gockel  J , Ramón-Zamorano  G , Kimmel  J, Spielmann  T, Bártfai R (2025) CUT&Tag and DiBioCUT&Tag enable investigation of the AT-rich epigenome of Plasmodium falciparum from low-input samples. Cell Rep Methods 18;5(8):101110. Full text
• 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

Complete list of publications