Welcome to MalParTraining
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A word from the Scientific Director and Coordinator
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium spp, a highly evolved protozoal pathogen that affects more than half a billion people. MalParTraining is a European Early Stage Training (EST) Marie Curie Action dealing with the biology of the malaria parasite, and its interactions with both mammalian hosts and mosquito vectors.
The goal of this Marie Curie action entitled "The challenge of malaria in the post genomic era" is to train young and mobile researchers in biology, in the field of Malaria. Indeed, the complete genomes of many Plasmodium spp including the most virulent causative agent of human malaria, P. falciparum are now available. This flood of data provides enormous potential for exploitation and the field has never been better equipped to advance rapidly. Malaria parasites possess many unusual and novel structural and biological properties, its multi-stage life cycle being shared between vertebrate and insect hosts, and it engages in extensive interactions with these hosts. As a result the field of malaria provides a rich training ground for young research scientists, introducing them to the remarkable diversity of eukaryotic biology and the challenges of unravelling its complexities, whilst at the same time giving them an opportunity to engage in an area of scientific endeavour that can make a real contribution to improving human health. The challenge now is to build on this investment, using the knowledge optimally to seek new approaches to malaria control and therapy.
MalParTraining has placed emphasis on cross-disciplinary projects which address fundamental questions of malaria biology. 9 PhD students have been recruited in a competitive call with 5 of them being outside the E.U (and from endemic countries). Each young researcher is jointly supervised by two experienced PIs from different leading research groups bringing a genuinely multicultural element to the programme. Most of the teams are members of BioMalPar, a Network of Excellence that focuses primarily on fundamental studies in biology and pathology of malaria that must underpin future strategies to control malaria. Most projects have multi-disciplinarity as a major theme, and focus on the innovative use of post-genomic tools to enhance knowledge of malaria parasite biology and its interaction with its hosts. The different projects deal with Functional biochemistry and therapeutic targets, Sub-cellular organisation, and Host-parasite interactions. The focus is on research skills; participants perform collective research, exchange ideas and practice complementary skills.
An important element of this action consists of regular collective and high standard training. It is delivered on a regular basis (> 8 days per year) and includes a vast array of topics such as a large introduction to malaria and to the world of enterprise, and also the preparation and finalization of publications through virtual learning and working environment. Workshops and practical courses given in Montpellier, London, Paris and Heidelberg represent additional training opportunities. All students attend the annual BioMalPar meeting, a European Network of Excellence devoted to the malaria biology and coordinated by the Pasteur Institute in Paris (Artur Scherf, coordinator).
This web site briefly outlines each PhD student’s individual project, provides guidelines for their PhD diploma, indicates the milestones of the 3-year long training and summarizes the training events occurring all along the 4-year Marie Curie action.
I would like to thank all the PIs , their institution and their staff for their supervision and their involvement in this collective training. I wish all the PhD students the best for their future.
Henri Vial
Scientific Director and Coordinator
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Coordination: University of Montpellier 2
Scientific Director & Coordinator: Henri Vial
Web manager: Nathalie Modjeska