Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research

Xin-zhuan Su, Ph.D.

Chief, Malaria Functional Genomics Section
Senior Investigator

Malaria Functional Genomics Section

Dr. Su received his Ph.D. in parasitology from the University of Georgia in 1990. He joined NIAID's Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases in 1992 and became an investigator in the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research in 2001 and a senior investigator in 2006.

Description of Research Program

Our lab develops and uses genome-wide approaches to study mechanisms of drug resistance, virulence, genome diversity, population genetics, and evolution of malaria parasites. Large numbers of parasite isolates and progeny from genetic crosses are being typed using thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and the genotypes are being associated with or linked to differences in parasite response to large numbers of chemical compounds and drugs.

We also use the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii as a model to study virulence factors and disease phenotypes. We have developed a microsatellite genetic map and performed several genetic crosses to identify genes associated with parasite growth, virulence, and drug resistance. Other projects include nucleosome position mapping and gene expression regulation, recombination hotspots and conserved motifs that play a role in genetic recombination, and the roles of ABC transporters in drug resistances.

Research Group Members

Maria Barragan

Richard Eastman

Hongying Jiang

Jacob Lemieux

Jianbing Mu

Sittiporn Pattaradilokrat

Xin-zhuan Su

Jing Yuan

Selected Publications

(View list in PubMed.)

Mu J, Myers RA, Jiang H, Liu S, Ricklefs S, Waisberg M, Chotivanich K, Wilairatana P, Krudsood S, White NJ, Udomsangpetch R, Cui L, Ho M, Ou F, Li H, Song J, Li G, Wang X, Seila S, Sokunthea S, Socheat D, Sturdevant DE, Porcella SF, Fairhurst RM, Wellems TE, Awadalla P, Su XZ. Plasmodium falciparum genome-wide scans for positive selection, recombination hotspots, and resistance to antimalarial drugs. Nat Genet. 2010 Mar;42(3):268-71.

Yuan J, Johnson RL, Huang R, Wichterman J, Jiang H, Hayton K, Fidock DA, Wellems TE, Inglese J, Austin CP, Su XZ. Genetic mapping of targets mediating differential chemical phenotypes in Plasmodium falciparum. Nature Chem Biol. 2009 Oct;5(10):765-71.

Li J, Zhang Y, Liu S, Hong L, Sullivan M, McCutchan TF, Carlton JM, Su XZ. Hundreds of microsatellites for typing Plasmodium yoelii parasites. Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2009 Aug;166(2):153-8.

Raj DK, Mu J, Jiang H, Kabat J, Singh S, Sullivan M, Fay MP, McCutchan TF, Su XZ. Disruption of a Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance associated protein (PfMRP) alters its fitness and transport of antimalarial drugs and glutathione. J Biol Chem. 2009 Mar 20;284(12):7687 96.

Jiang H, Yi M, Mu J, Zhang L, Ivens A, Klimczak LJ, Huyen Y, Stephens RM, Su XZ. Detection of genome wide polymorphisms in the AT rich Plasmodium falciparum genome using a high density microarray. BMC Genomics. 2008 Aug 25;9:398.

Joy DA, Gonzalez-Ceron L, Carlton JM, Gueye A, Fay M, McCutchan TF, Su XZ. Local adaptation and vector-mediated population structure in Plasmodium vivax malaria. Mol Biol Evol. 2008 Jun;25(6):1245 52.

back to top