Michael Klemba

Research Interest:

Cell Biochemistry       

Synopsis:

Dr. Klemba studies the biochemistry of the malaria parasite and identifies targets for drug development.    

Description:

 Malaria is responsible for the death of around half a million people annually. Most of malaria’s victims are children under the age of five living in tropical areas of the world. The emergence of parasites that are resistant to available drugs has limited our treatment options and there is an urgent need for the development of new therapies. Dr. Klemba’s research focuses on a class of enzymes, called serine hydrolases, that mediate critical biochemical processes in the parasite as it grows in human red blood cells. Combining biochemical and genetic approaches, Dr. Klemba’s research aims to identify enzymes that are essential for parasite viability and that could serve as targets for novel anti-malarial drugs.