Parasite genetics

A phenotypic screen based on a conditional Cas9-system identifies two Toxoplasma gondii genes, revealing conoid gliding protein (CGP) and signalling linking factor (SLF) that act at different steps in host cell egress.

Release of genetically-modified sterile mosquitoes is a potential method of malaria control but has yet to be tested in the field. Here, the authors perform a mark-release-recapture experiment and show that genetically-modified mosquitoes have reduced survival and dispersal compared to wild-types.

HDP1 is a novel DNA-binding protein that functions as a positive transcriptional regulator of genes that gives Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes their characteristic ‘banana’ shape.