In our studies we are using two model apicomplexa parasites, the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei, and the human opportunistic pathogen Toxoplasma gondii. Together they form a «model apicomplexan cycle». P. berghei is a widely used experimental model, amenable to genetic manipulations, with the great advantage of in vitro development up to the ookinete stage. Toxoplasma tachyzoites are also amenable to genetic manipulations, in which functional study of genes is facilitated by the use of regulated expression systems, and stage specific promoters. Moreover, the morphology and organellar organization of Toxoplasma tachyzoites is similar to that of Plasmodium merozoites, therefore, have been used extensively in order to unveil molecular machineries involved in host cell invasion and parasite motility.
Due to the fact that invasion related proteases are conserved in different parasite/vector/host combinations, we anticipate that studies or strategies applied in either of the model parasites, should be easily expanded into human malaria parasites.