Malaria Research @ Eijkman Institute

Research Interests in Malaria

Malaria Laboratory

Malaria has been selected as one of the major research interests at the Eijkman Institute since the re-opening of the Institute in 1993. This selection was based on the mission of the Institute to advance fundamental knowledge in the field of molecular cell biology, and to apply such knowledge to the understanding, and the prevention and treatment of human diseases.

The research interests in malaria at the Eijkman Institute currently focus on studies to elucidate the assembly of the mitochondrial respiratory chain of the malaria parasites, the molecular basis of resistance to antimalarial drugs, molecular pathogenesis of severe malaria, and the host-genetic factors that may be responsible for the morbidity of malaria infection.

To strengthen the research activities, the malaria group has been conducting several collaborations with international research Institutions under several programs such as Australia-Indonesia Medical Research Initiative (AIMRI) with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Researchers: [ Staff Details ]

Din Syafruddin, MD, PhD
Rintis Noviyanti, PhD
Farah N. Coutrier, PhD
Josephine E. Siregar, MSc
Leily Trianty, MSc
Puji BS. Asih, BSc

Research supports:

AIMRI support to research on molecular basis of drug resistance and molecular pathogenesis of severe malaria
PRIOR (Poverty Related Infection Oriented Research) to all research components of malaria group for malaria research in Sumba Island
WHO/TDR: for research on pregnancy-associated malaria in Indonesia
WHO Indonesia: for support in malaria surveillance program in tsunami-affected area in Indonesia
Indonesia Science Toray Foundation: Science and Technologies Research Grant 2005.

Research publication associated with the activities:

I. Molecular basis of drug resistance;

Din Syafruddin , Puji B.S. Asih, Farah N. Coutrier, Leily Trianty, Rintis Noviyanti, Yaveth Luase, Wajiyo Prawirosumarto, Marten Caley, Andre var der Ven and Robert Sauerwein. 2006. Malaria in Wanokaka and Loli sub-districts, West Sumba District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Am J Trop Med Hyg. In press
Linn TZ, Awale S, Tezuka Y, Banskota AH, Kalauni SK, Attamimi F, Ueda JY, Asih PB, Syafruddin D, Tanaka K, Kadota S. Cassane- and norcassane-type diterpenes from Caesalpinia crista of Indonesia and their antimalarial activity against the growth of Plasmodium falciparum. J Nat Prod. 2005 May;68(5):706-10.
Syafruddin D, Asih PB, Casey GJ, Maguire J, Baird JK, Nagesha HS, Cowman AF, Reeder JC. Molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to antimalarial drugs in Indonesia. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2005 Feb;72(2):174-81.
Syafruddin D, Asih PB, Aggarwal SL, Shankar AH. Frequency distribution of antimalarial drug-resistant alleles among isolates of Plasmodium falciparum in Purworejo district, Central Java Province, Indonesia. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2003 Dec;69(6):614-20.
Syafruddin D, Asih PB, Casey GJ, Maguire J, Baird JK, Nagesha HS, Cowman AF, Reeder JC. Molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to antimalarial drugs in Indonesia. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2005 Feb;72(2):174-81.
Keenihan SH, Gramizinki R, Ratiwayanto S, Hadiputranto H, Riberu W, Soebianto S, Rusjdy F, Syafruddin D, Kartikasari A, Djojosubroto M, Setianingsih I, Harahap A, Krisin, Fryauff D, Richie T, Charoenvit Y, Marwoto HA, Kumar S, Hoffman S, Marzuki S, Baird K. 2003. Mechanisms of innate and acquired protection against Plasmodium falciparum in Javanese transmigrant adults and children newly resident in malaria-endemic Northwest Papua. Adv Exp Med Biol, 531:83-102.
Syafruddin D, Asih PBS, Siregar JE and Tjitra E. 2003. Molecular Basis of Antimalarial Drug Resistance in Indonesia. Adv. Exp Med Biol. 531:103-115.
8.Fryauff DJ, Leksana B, Masbar S, Wiady I, Sismadi P, Susanti AI, Nagesha HS, Syafruddin, Atmosoedjono S, Bans MJ, Baird JK. 2002. The drug sensitivity and transmission dynamics of human malaria on Nias Island, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 96:447-62.
Hadya NS, Din-Syafruddin, Casey GJ, Susanti AI, Fryauff DJ, Reeder JC, Cowman AF. 2001. Mutations in the pfmdr1, dhfr and dhps genes of Plasmodium falciparum are associated with in-vivo drug resistance in West Papua, Indonesia. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 95:43-9.
Syafruddin, Siregar JE and Marzuki S. 1999. Mutations in the cytochrome b gene of Plasmodium berghei conferring resistance to atovaquone. Mol Biochem. Parasitol. 104:185-194.
Budimulja AS, Syafruddin, Tapchaisri P, Wilariat P, Marzuki S. 1997. Sensitivity of Plasmodium protein synthesis to prokaryotic ribosomal inhibitors. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol, 84:137 ? 141.

II. Molecular pathogenesis of malaria

Duffy MF, Byrne TJ, Elliott SR, Wilson DW, Rogerson SJ, Beeson JG, Noviyanti R, Brown GV. Broad analysis reveals a consistent pattern of var gene transcription in Plasmodium falciparum repeatedly selected for a defined adhesion phenotype. Mol Microbiol. 2005 May;56(3):774-88.
Noviyanti R, Brown GV. 2003. Phenotypic switching and var gene transcription in Plasmodium falciparum. Adv Exp Med Biol; 531: 149-159.
Duffy MF, Brown GV, Basuki W, Krejany EO, Noviyanti R, Cowman AF, Reeder JC. 2002. Transcription of multiple var genes by individual, trophozoite-stage Plasmodium falciparum cells expressing a chondroitin sulfate A binding phenotype. Mol Microbiol. 43: 1285-1293.
Noviyanti, R. Brown GV, Wickham ME, Duffy MF, Cowman AF, Reeder JC. 2001. Multiple var gene transcripts are expressed in Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes selected for adhesion. Mol Biochem Parasitol; 114: 227-237.