Malaria has shaped human history for thousands of years and remains a leading cause of child mortality worldwide. To survive and multiply, malaria parasites must navigate the distinct physical environments of various organs and interact with multiple vascular barriers. While the molecular aspects have been extensively studied, we focus on the physical and mechanical properties of living Plasmodium parasites in tissue-specific microvasculature. Using innovative 3D in vitro vascular models and biophysical tools, we investigate how these properties influence parasite behaviour and how the human host has evolved genetic adaptations in an ongoing arms race with the pathogen.

Our ultimate goal is to translate these insights into medical applications to combat malaria and other vascular diseases, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women.