Malaria remains a major global healthcare burden, responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. The complexity of Plasmodium’s lifecycle, involving both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, and its sophisticated mechanisms for adapting to and evading host immune defenses have made malaria a challenging disease to control and eradicate. Deeper insights into the biological interactions between Plasmodium and its hosts remain crucial for designing effective therapeutic, immunological, and vector management strategies. Understanding these intricate relationships is pivotal to advancing global malaria elimination efforts.

This article collection centers on recent advancements in unraveling the pathogenic mechanisms employed by Plasmodium species, including host-cell invasion strategies and immuno-modulation. It also explores mechanisms of immune evasion by the parasite, progress in vaccine research, and the critical biology of Plasmodium-vector interactions. By highlighting cutting-edge findings, innovative methodologies, and translational research, this collection seeks to foster multidisciplinary collaboration and identify knowledge gaps that, when addressed, may have profound implications for malaria control and eradication.

To build on our knowledge of malaria, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o Reviews on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of Plasmodium pathogenicity in hepatocytes and erythrocytes

o Research articles elucidating host innate and adaptive immune responses to Plasmodium infection

o Studies on the molecular strategies of immune evasion employed by different Plasmodium species

o Investigations into the signaling pathways manipulated by Plasmodium to subvert host defenses

o Reports on the role of the Plasmodium surface proteins in host cell recognition and invasion

o Evaluations of novel vaccine candidates and their efficacy

o Articles describing advances in adjuvant and delivery systems for malaria vaccines

o Comparative genomics and proteomics analyses of Plasmodium isolates with varying pathogenicity

o Insights into mosquito-vector biology, specifically Anopheles-Plasmodium interactions and parasite development

o Perspectives on challenges and future directions in integrating parasite, host, and vector biology for malaria elimination

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Filling the Research Gaps of Malaria Pathobiology