Each of the liberated progeny invade red cells to repeat the cycle of growth, division and red cell destruction that causes the symptons of malaria. To obtain the nutrients it requires from the blood plasma, the parasite increases the permeability of the host cell membrane to specific substances. Dr. Raftos is investigating the characteristics of these 'parasite induced' permeability pathways on the red cell surface. If the new pathways prove to be very different from the permeability pathways on normal mammalian cells and are essential for the survival of the parasites, they would be a potential target for novel anti-malaria drugs. A particular focus of this study is the influx of magnesium into malaria infected red blood cells.
Magnesium plays an important role in the regulation of diverse cell functions.
At present, Dr. Raftos is carrying out an experimental investigation of magnesium buffering in red cells. The aim is to measure the concentration of the active forms of magnesium under varying conditions so that eventually the interactions of magnesium with cell metabolites can be simulated using a computer model. Dr. Raftos teaches in the areas of membrane biology and transport, renal and cardiovascular physiology and body acid-base balance.