Functional Genomics of Malaria Parasites

 John H. Adams, PhD joined the University of South Florida College of Public Health Infectious Diseases Research program in June 2007 and previously was at the University of Notre Dame for 16 years. He was trained in basic parasitology (BA 1978, Hendrix College; PhD 1985, University of Illinois; 1986-87, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Queensland) and in molecular approaches to malaria at National Institutes of Health, 1987-1991.

Research interests:

My research program focuses on two broad areas in malaria parasite biology, host-parasite interactions and understanding the critical metabolic processes important for infection and pathogenesis. The basic science research in my group seeks to better understand the complex biology that enables parasites to progress so successfully through its life with such devastating consequences on human health. Since malaria remains one of the leading causes of human morbidity and mortality, our goal is to use the knowledge of its vulnerable biological processes to support translational discovery projects to improve antimalarial drugs and vaccines targeting critical stages of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. Our vaccine studies target invasion ligands used to recognize and enter host cells while drug studies seek to define genes essential for survival in humans and optimize antimalarial combination therapies. The drug studies use forward genetic/ phenotypic screens to delineate mechanisms of action and identify the genetic basis of metabolic changes associated with drug resistance. For these efforts my research group has led development and application of forward genetic screens of the major cause of malaria morbidity and mortality, P. falciparum, using random piggyBac mutagenesis. Consequently, our interdisciplinary team with considerable expertise to integrate different numerous ‘omics in analyses of parasite and infectious diseases biology.