Can malaria be stopped?

A team led by Dr Anand Ranganathan of Jawaharlal Nehru University’s Special Centre for Molecular Medicine and Dr Pawan Malhotra of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology has identified a way to potentially prevent the malaria-causing parasite (Plasmodium falciparum malaria) from invading red blood cells. Newslaundry spoke to Ranganathan on the implications of this research, the team as well as India’s larger research landscape.

Congratulations on the research that you and your team are doing. We understand this has to do with identifying how the malaria virus enters our systems and damages us. Can you explain simply what implications this has for medicine, cure or prevention?

Our study has shed some more light on the biology behind the malarial parasite’s entry in the host red blood cell which is responsible for the malaria pathogenesis. It is very important considering the fact that only when we thoroughly and specifically understand the mechanisms the parasite uses for invading human red blood cells, only then can we choose specific targets and pinpoint places where we can block the attack of the parasite. Our study exposes such targets from parasite and host as well that includes two host targets: Cyclophilin B and Basigin; and two parasite targets: PfRhopH3 and PfRH5. These target proteins are important in that they form a multi-protein complex to provide a stage for the parasite to enter the human red blood cells. In the second part of our study, we have identified a peptide inhibitor CDP3 of human Cyclophilin B protein that blocks the entry of parasite in the host red blood cells. Considering that we could use the inhibitor as a drug-like molecule, we can successfully block the entry of parasite in humans although this is at the initial stages of the study and we need to study the efficacy of the inhibitor before considering it as a drug.

How large is the team and what is it like – age; background; abilities etc?

Our team comprises a combination of highly diverse and enthusiastic people from four different laboratories, all these people have the background in biological science with a speciality in molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology, genetics and cell biology. Starting from the students themselves, most of whom are during their early careers pursuing their Ph.Ds, some of them have submitted their thesis. All the students have a different way of thinking and approaching the challenges which we are facing in terms of global health threats. Then there are post-doctoral students who have special expertise in their specific research areas and help the new budding young scientists whenever needed. All the student and post-doctoral fellows are within the age group of 25-35. Lastly, we the principal investigators are always there to help students in designing their experiments and whenever they are stuck anywhere.

Would you say science and research in India is in good shape across Indian institutions and labs?

Here I would like to say that the journey has just begun. Considering the financial, political and economic constraints on Indian students pursuing Ph.D., lab funding and working environment, I am happy that we are able to do make a contribution. However, I believe that the situation of Indian universities and institutions varies and it is only some universities that have access to necessary facilities for pursuing research. Hence, I think we need to pay more attention towards research and encourage more students in taking up research as a career.

Considering mosquitoes are the most deadly animals/insects in the world causing more deaths than sharks, tigers, bees, lions and wolves put together, how come we haven’t seen any film like Jaws, Phase 4, Piranha etc till now?

If one has watched the movie Jurassic Park then one can think by yourself what can be achieved by a tiny mosquito! By the way, to make a movie you need to convince the producers to make one! We wish one is made after reading this.

Last week, Time magazine reported this novel way a US company has come up with to reduce mosquito population by up to 80 per cent. You think it’s a good idea to mess with nature like this?

There is no doubt that mosquitoes are carriers for many deadly diseases; however, mosquitoes have a positive side too. They are very important for ecosystems, serve as food for many species, help filter detritus for the plant to thrive and pollinate flowers. Hence, we believe that mosquitoes should not be completely wiped out using unethical and unnatural methods; however, their overwhelming population that spreads the diseases should always be checked in a very controlled manner. In my opinion, the method discussed above would be a good one if it is applied carefully, in a controlled way and on small geographical patches.