 Dr. Jing Wen Hang
Research Fellow in Department of Microbiology and Immunology
NUS |
Title:
Methylene Blue Treatment of Fatal Cerebral Malaria and Identification of Potential Blood Biomarkers
Abstract:
Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe complication caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection, leading to persistent neurological impairments in survivors. To understand the complex mechanisms and investigate advanced diagnostic and treatment strategies targeting human CM, we utilized Plasmodium coatneyi-infected rhesus macaques, a non-human primate model closely resembling P. falciparum infection in humans. Through differential gene expression analysis, our study demonstrated methylene blue’s efficacy in reversing the detrimental effects of infection on the brainstem. Furthermore, by comparing our brainstem dataset from P. coatneyi-infected Macaca mulatta with two additional transcriptomic datasets (P. coatneyi-infected M. mulatta blood and P. falciparum-infected human blood), we identified nine genes associated with CM severity. Most of these genes were expressed in neutrophils, indicating their potential as blood biomarkers for diagnosing P. falciparum-induced fatal CM. This research highlights the necessity for new CM treatments and reveals promising biomarkers that could improve diagnosis and prognosis in affected individuals.
Biography:
Dr. Hang is a Research Fellow in Assistant Professor Benoit Malleret’s Lab at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. Her research focuses on malaria, with a particular emphasis on Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. knowlesi and P. coatneyi. She leverages in vitro erythropoiesis as a platform to investigate the complex interactions between malaria parasites and their human hosts. In addition, her work involves the identification and analysis of blood biomarkers for the detection of fatal cerebral malaria (CM). By pinpointing key genes linked to CM severity, her research aims to facilitate the development of improved diagnostic tools for this life-threatening condition.
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