Joachim Michael Matz

PfATG18 links V-ATPase assembly to endocytic membrane dynamics in malaria parasites

Malaria parasites replicate inside red blood cells, degrading hemoglobin within a specialized digestive vacuole. Efficient hemoglobin processing is essential for parasite survival and influences antimalarial drug susceptibility. The vacuole constantly fuses with incoming hemoglob...

The Plasmodium heme detoxification protein functions in mitochondrial protein synthesis

Abstract Malaria blood-stage parasites digest ~80% of host cell hemoglobin within a degradative vacuole, releasing heme that is detoxified by sequestration into hemozoin crystals. Although essential for survival and a validated drug target, the mechanisms of heme biomineralizatio...