Elucidating the mechanisms and functions of bacterial-derived mediators on Plasmodium falciparum

There are many species of bacteria in mosquito guts but, few have anti-parasite properties which may involve their secreted products. Such naturally occurring bacteria and their secreted products could be useful in new disease control strategies aimed at blocking parasite transmission. I aim to identify specific mosquito gut bacteria that produce substances that are toxic to Plasmodium, determine their modes of action and natural variations in mosquito populations. I will distinguish these bacteria from the mosquito gut using infection assays in the laboratory and then investigate their prevalence and natural variations among several malaria vectors collected from high and low malaria transmission areas in Ghana. Finally, I will begin to look into the composition of the bacterial secretions for further functional studies. The study will reveal which bacteria species from mosquito guts are most effective against Plasmodium for innovative methods of malaria control by blocking transmission from vector to human.