Image: Burnet’s Head of Cell Imaging, Dr Paul Gilson prepares videos of malaria parasite invasion
July
Videos unlock malaria mystery
of malaria parasite invasion have validated important discoveries by Oxford University for the potential development of a world-first effective malaria vaccine.
The Oxford research, published in the prestigious journal, Cell, identifies how a protein called RH5 helps human antibodies to block Plasmodium falciparum malaria from invading and destroying red blood cells.
But the journal agreed to publish only after the addition of microscopic live video recordings by Burnet researchers, which verified the impact of RH5.
This story received significant coverage in Australian media.
New Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies study begins
Image: Sister Rosemary, Dr Joshua Vogel and Professor Caroline ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾r at Paparatava Health Centre, East New Britain, PNG.
Burnet’s innovative flagship research program, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies (HMHB) is rolling out a new study designed to improve health services, especially antenatal, labour and birth, in East New Britain (ENB) province in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
The HMHB Quality of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Newborn Health Services Study, known locally as the ‘Gutpela Sevis’ study, is using a participatory, partnership defined approach to improve quality of maternal and newborn care.
“The first part of this approach is building partnerships and engaging facilities with the project,” Burnet researcher and Public Health Registrar, Dr Alyce Wilson said. “It’s also important to hear their ideas about this approach and data collection, to assess the current quality of care.”
