New synchronization method for Plasmodium falciparum

Ranford-Cartwright, L.C. , Sinha, A., Humphreys, G.S. and Mwangi, J.M. (2010) New synchronization method for Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria Journal, 9(170), (doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-9-170)

Abstract

<b>Background</b>: Plasmodium falciparum is usually asynchronous during in vitro culture. Although various synchronization methods are available, they are not able to narrow the range of ages of parasites. A newly developed method is described that allows synchronization of parasites to produce cultures with an age range as low as 30 minutes. <b>Methods</b>: Trophozoites and schizonts are enriched using Plasmion. The enriched late stage parasites are immobilized as a monolayer onto plastic Petri dishes using concanavalin A. Uninfected erythrocytes are placed onto the monolayer for a limited time period, during which time schizonts on the monolayer rupture and the released merozoites invade the fresh erythrocytes. The overlay is then taken off into a culture flask, resulting in a highly synchronized population of parasites. <b>Results</b>: Plasmion treatment results in a 10- to 13-fold enrichment of late stage parasites. The monolayer method results in highly synchronized cultures of parasites where invasion has occurred within a very limited time window, which can be as low as 30 minutes. The method is simple, requiring no specialized equipment and relatively cheap reagents. <b>Conclusions</b>: The new method for parasite synchronization results in highly synchronized populations of parasites, which will be useful for studies of the parasite asexual cell cycle.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Sinha, Dr Abhinav and Ranford-Cartwright, Dr Lisa and Mwangi, Dr Jonathan and Humphreys, Ms Georgina
• Authors: Ranford-Cartwright, L.C., Sinha, A., Humphreys, G.S., and Mwangi, J.M.
• Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Malaria Journal
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• ISSN (Online): 1475-2875
• Published Online: 17 June 2010
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2010 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Malaria Journal 9:170
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher