Taiki Yamamoto
Investigating Circadian Cues in Malaria Parasite Population Synchrony
My research at the Rijo-Ferreira Lab focuses on identifying the environmental cues that govern the internal “clocks” of malaria parasites. In infected patients, malaria is characterized by rhythmic fevers that occur every 24 hours, caused by a synchronized burst of parasites out of red blood cells. Our lab has linked this rhythmic burst to parasites synchronizing with the host’s circadian rhythm. By understanding the environmental cues that these malaria parasites synchronize with, we aim to find ways to interrupt it and improve clinical management of the disease.
To investigate these cues, I am contributing to the development and optimization of an automated continuous culture system, where my role includes the maintenance of the hardware and the monitoring of parasitemia during environmental cycling experimentation. While still a prototype, the continuous culture system has many implications for the future of malaria research. It allows researchers to test fluctuating variables, such as gas and temperature, that are difficult to decipher in conventional flask cultures and highly complex in in vivo animal models. Furthermore, due to its cost-effective design, this system would allow malaria-impacted countries to maintain and study local strains without the need to build costly laboratory infrastructures.
Message To Sponsor
Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity! To be able to continue my research project and contribute towards the development of malaria research is a dream come true. Concluding my freshman year, I have already learned so much from working with my mentor, Jordy, and I am excited to continue working closely with him this summer.