Tarleton discussed the challenges of developing effective vaccines for parasitic diseases caused by protozoa.

Dr. Tarleton discussed the challenges of developing effective vaccines for parasitic diseases caused by protozoa. Malaria is a devastating human disease in tropical regions of the world that is caused by the protozoans in the genus Plasmodium. Recent advances in the development of a malarial vaccine by Glaxo-Smith Kline and the PATH Malaria vaccine initiative are encouraging for bringing a new tool to reduce the incidence of malaria. The vaccine RTS,S produced by this consortium is the first vaccine that has completed Phase 3 testing.

a) (10 pts) What is the name of the Plasmodium protein that is the target antigen which is the basis for the GSKRTS,S vaccine? Sketch the life-cycle of Plasmodium, or insert a diagram, and indicate what stage (s) the antibodies elicited by the RTS,S vaccine target.

b) (20 pts) What are thought to be the functions of the ‘targeted’ Plasmodium protein in the human host?

c) (20 pts) Describe experiments done to show the safety and efficacy of the GSK-RTS,S vaccine in Phase 3 clinical trials in infants and children in Africa; include a summary of the final results and describe the efficacy of the vaccine.

1. The protein is known as bromodomain protein, PfBDP1 which is the main target of thevaccine. PfBDP1 binds to acetylated histone H3 and a second bromodomain protein,PfBDP2, recommending a...