Pilani (Rajasthan): Scientists at Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani have come up with new ways to control malaria. They have discovered new ways to stop the formation of a protein, which helps in the creation of a gut barrier wall in the malaria carrier mosquito, Anopheles. The finding is regarded as a great contribution towards the benefit of public health.
According to the findings of a study by Dr. Sanjiv Kumar and Dr. Lalita Gupta of BITS Pilani, which has been published in the latest issue of the journal ‘Science’, specify that the growth of malaria can be effectively blocked by stopping the formation of a specific type of protein called Immunomodulatory Peroxidase (IMPer) in the mosquito gut.
The study states that by stopping the formation of the gut barrier wall, the immune system of the mosquito starts recognizing the malaria parasite (Plasmodium) and the immune system kills the parasite, resulting in the stoppage of the life cycle of the parasite. This finding has provided a scientific breakthrough to manipulate the mosquito gut barriers and block the spread of deadly malaria parasite among the human population.
While addressing the Media Relations Department of BITS Pilani, Dr. Kumar who was the lead for this project carried out at National Institute of Health at Bethesda, US, (along with Dr Gupta and others) during 2003-08, said that all living beings have a co-evolved association with microbes, some of which are useful and some are not.
Further, Dr. Kumar and Dr. Gupta added that this discovery has a big impact in malaria transmission and human health. Blocking of this IMPer or disturbing the natural barriers between malaria parasites and mosquito immune system will stop the completion of the parasite's life cycle in mosquito. Therefore, it is likely to suppress the spread of malaria disease among human population.
