About
Dr. Calisto is a molecular and cellular parasitologist dedicated to using his expertise for the betterment of human health. He grew an interest in cells and their fascinating biology during high school and went to the University of Georgia to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology. During his studies, he took an interest in in protozoan parasites and decided to acquire a PhD in Cell Biology at the University of Georgia and the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases to study the influence of cell signaling in the process of host-cell egress in the deadliest of the human malaria-causing parasites, Plasmodium falciparum. Dr. Calisto continued his postdoctoral training at Iowa State University to understand the process of protein export and host-cell subversion in P. falciparum. He is now an assistant professor in the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry and the Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center.
Visit Dr. Calisto's Faculty Profile.
How their research is transforming health care
Malaria remains a devastating parasitic disease in the world with ~249 million new cases resulting in ~608,000 deaths, mostly caused by the species Plasmodium falciparum. Despite major progress in Malaria control, resistance to frontline antimalarials is well established in Southeast Asia and emerging in Africa where the most severe cases occur. This highlights the significance of continuing to understand the factors that control the growth and development of the parasite to identify key points of attack against this deadly parasite. Dr. Calisto's lab aims to discover pathogenic vulnerabilities by studying the clinically relevant stage of Malaria which is the asexual expansion that occurs within the vertebrate host’s Red Blood Cells (RBCs). In order to survive within RBCs, P. falciparum relies on an intricate system of protein export and secretion that remodels its host for survival. His work deals with understanding both the proteins that are exported to remodel RBCs and the process taken by these proteins to reach the RBC compartment. Understanding both of these aspects will provide a rich source of targets that can be used for both novel antimalarial and vaccine development.
Health Research Expertise Keywords
Malaria, Plasmodium, Red Blood Cells, exported proteins, host-pathogen interactions.
