Desai Research Group

The Apicomplexan Molecular Physiology Section (AMPS) studies the cell and molecular biology of malaria parasites. We are focused on ion channels and transporters unique to these parasites and aim to develop novel antimalarial therapies against these targets.

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Apicomplexan Molecular Physiology Section: (left to right) Inderjeet Kalia, Jonathan Chu, Tatiane Macedo-Silva, Zabdi Gonzalez, Sanjay Desai, Mansoor Siddiqui, Jinfeng Shao, Mohammad Kashif, Gagandeep Saggu

Sanjay Desai, M.D., Ph.D.

Chief, Apicomplexan Molecular Physiology Section

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Specialty(s): Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine

Education:

M.D., Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis

Dr. Desai received his M.D. and Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis. Following an internal medicine residency and infectious diseases fellowship at Duke University Medical Center, he joined the Division of Intramural Research. His work focuses on the molecular and cellular biology of malaria parasites.

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Lalana Appasani

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Education:

University of Rochester

Lalana’s work is focused on improving DNA transfection of the human Plasmodium falciparum pathogen.

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Jonathan Chu, B.S.

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Education:

B.S., Biotechnology, Rochester Institute of Technology

Jonathan’s work is focused on calcium transport and utilization in human erythrocytes before and after infection with Plasmodium spp.

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Zabdi Gonzalez, Ph.D.

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Education:

Ph.D., National Autonomous University of Mexico

Dr. Gonzalez trained in molecular and biochemical parasitology, studying trypanothione-dependent metabolism of Trypanosoma cruzi. He is currently studying the structure and function of ion channel complexes in malaria parasites.

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Inderjeet Kalia, Ph.D.

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Education:

Ph.D., National Institute of Immunology in New Delhi, India

Dr. Kalia trained in the molecular immunology of malaria infections. He is working to identify and characterize parasite ion channels in various stages of the malaria parasite life cycle.

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Mohammad Kashif, Ph.D.

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Education:

Ph.D., National Institute of Immunology in New Delhi, India

During his Ph.D., Dr. Kashif studied gametocyte formation, differentiation, heat shock responses, and drug targets in Plasmodium spp. He is currently studying transport of macromolecules in infected erythrocytes.

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Tatiane Macedo-Silva, Ph.D.

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Education:

Ph.D., University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Dr. Macedo-Silva trained in molecular biology and epigenetics of P. falciparum. She is now focused on calcium transport and utilization in malaria parasites.

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Gagandeep Saggu, Ph.D.

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Education:

Ph.D., BITS, Pilani, India

Dr. Saggu was trained in molecular parasitology, focusing on cell and molecular biology of bloodstream malaria parasites. His work is currently focused on biochemical and molecular studies of intracellular ion channels in the parasite.

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Jinfeng Shao, Ph.D.

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Education:

Ph.D., University of Groningen, Netherlands

Dr. Shao trained in protein X-ray crystallography with an emphasis on unnatural amino acid labeling. She is interested in structure-function studies, channel protein trafficking, and drug discovery targeting nutrient transport.

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Mansoor Siddiqui, Ph.D.

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Education:

Ph.D., ICGEB-Jawaharlal Nehru University, India

Dr. Siddiqui is trained in molecular and biochemical parasitology. He is now focused on the molecular basis and transport properties of intracellular ion channels in malaria parasites.

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