Office: 7-9  Agricultural Sciences Building
Tel: +27 12 420 8334
E-mail: dina.coertzen[@]up.ac.za
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Malaria Parasite Molecular Laboratory
UP ISMC

Lecturer

Teaching
Biocatalysis and integration of metabolism 357 (BCM 357)
Molecular basis of disease 368 (BCM 368)
Scientific communication 771 (BCM 771)

Research Summary:
My research focus uses multidisciplinary target- and phenotype-based drug discovery methods in a unique and complementary approach to identify novel hit compounds with antimalarial potential, with a specific interest in identifying compounds that target intraparasitic oxidative stress regulatory pathways. Furthermore, I also investigate the biological and molecular mechanisms of these compounds to understand and validate their targets and broaden our understanding of parasite biology.

My research group is situated within the Malaria Parasite Molecular Laboratory of Prof. L Birkholtz DST/NRF SARChI Research Chair in Sustainable Malaria Control, under the parasite cluster of the UP Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control.

Interests:
The most lethal form of malaria is caused by Plasmodium falciparum parasites, with current antimalarial therapies only targeting the proliferative (asexual) stages responsible for disease pathogenesis. However, for effective control and disease elimination, novel therapies blocking parasite transmission (gametocytes) between human and mosquitos are required. Studies have consistently shown that the transmissible stages are highly susceptible to oxidative stress, making it an ideal drug target to prohibit disease transmission.  However, no comprehensive investigation into understanding oxidative stress mechanisms and biology in gametocytes has been attempted. Through characterizing the differential oxidative stress mechanisms between asexual parasites and gametocytes we hope to improve our understanding of redox regulatory processes and parasite biology in order to identify novel drug targets in guiding antimalarial drug discovery approaches, with a unique focus towards blocking parasite transmission.

Tools:
Perform routine in vitro culturing of the asexual and gametocyte intraerythrocytic stages of P. falciparum parasites, to evaluate the activities of novel redox active chemical matter for antimalarial and transmission blocking activity. We investigate the redox mediated mechanisms of action of active compounds through various fluorescent detection methods; confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, as well as luminescent based reporter assays. We also focus on identifying protein drug targets of compounds active against both stages of the parasite using chemical labelling and target pulldown, coupled to Mass spectrometry analysis.

Lastly, I also have a strong focus in contributing to the alleviation of the malaria burden in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly identifying gametocyte carriage in asymptomatic individuals in endemic regions through innovative RT-qPCR detection strategies.

Collaborators:

• Prof. R Haynes (Charles Sturt University, Australia), a medicinal chemist, with extensive research expertise in synthesizing compounds targeting oxidative stress mechanisms in the parasite. 
• Jude Przyborski (Justus-Liebig University, Germany) provides guidance and scientific input in characterizing parasite redox metabolism, and in generating transgenic P. falciparum lines.
• Lyn-Marié Birkholtz has international leading expertise in investigating the interface of parasite biology and drug discovery and provides guidance and expertise, particularly in investigating gametocyte biology.

Recent publications:
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