Erythrocytes infected with the protozoan parasite Plasmodium falciparum, in the final stages of asexual development, sequester and adhere to the lining of capillaries in the brain; killing 1-3 million (mostly children under the age of 5) each year. I will argue here that the rapidly evolving tools of developmental biology be employed to find a way of inducing gametocytogenesis, thereby making the parasite 'grow-up' prematurely, and in large numbers alleviating the severe symptoms in the brain.
Copyright 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.