Malaria, an infectious disease caused by a single-celled parasite, is a major health problem throughout the developing world. There is no vaccine and although we do have antimalarial drugs the parasite has become, or is becoming, resistant to all of these. Pharmaceutical companies have traditionally shown little interest in tropical diseases such as malaria as there is little financial incentive for them to do so.
However, recent investment in this area by government agencies and, in particular, by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has led to increased research into developing new antimalarials. Work involving students and staff at the ANU Research School of Biology has focused on a novel, recently-discovered antimalarial that is now being trialed in malaria patients in Asia. This work done at ANU has revealed that the new drug exerts its toxic effect on the parasite by blocking a molecular salt pump, causing the parasite to fill up with salt.
The Last Lecture is a chance for students to choose a lecturer from the University whom they want to see give a captivating and enthusiastic lecture to the whole University at the end of the year. This year, the students chose Professor Kiaran Kirk from the Research School of Biology to deliver this lecture. Professor Kirk discusses some historical and economic aspects of malaria research and showcases some of the University's recent efforts in contributing to the discovery and development of new antimalarial drugs.
