The malaria parasite is transmitted from humans to mosquitoes in the form of male and female gametocytes. These gametocytes are transferred to the mosquito in red blood cells, when it takes a blood meal. The gametocytes immediately escape from the red blood cells, transform into gametes and fertilize. But what triggers them to do this in the mosquito, yet not in the human circulation? The factor turns out to be a single molecular entity, xanthurenic acid, and its identification may pave the way for new anti-malarial strategies.
- Richard Carter
- Lisa Ranford-Cartwright
