Kassoum Kayentao

The paper compares var gene expression in asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections and clinical malaria cases during dry and wet seasons in Mali, finding fewer and lower-level var transcripts in asymptomatic carriers.

This study uses single-cell RNA-seq to profile seasonal changes in Plasmodium falciparum parasites, showing older parasites circulate in the dry season and transcriptional changes in exported proteins affecting cytoadhesion.

The paper identifies potent neutralizing antibodies against the malaria antigen RH5 from natural infection, showing they target similar epitopes as vaccine-induced antibodies.