Patrick Duffy, M.D.

The Duffy laboratory focuses on host-parasite interactions and vaccine development for malaria. In our Seattle laboratory, we are studying blood stage parasites that bind to the placental receptor chondroitin sulfate A. We are applying microarray and proteomics tools to characterize the distinct features of these parasites, and evaluating infected red cell surface proteins that may be developed as pregnancy malaria vaccines. We are also collaborating with colleagues to study the transcriptome of liver stage parasites. In the clinical research laboratory recently established with colleagues in Tanzania, we are studying host-parasite interactions that underly severe malaria in children. We have recruited 450 (of an expected total 1000) mother-infant pairs, and we are evaluating immunoparasitologic factors that may predict clinical outcomes, including parasite adhesion phenotypes, and humoral and cellular immune responses. We also lead an International Malaria Research Training Program, that supports young Tanzanian scientists to conduct research in Seattle and at our overseas laboratory, and that organizes regional scientific workshops in East Africa on diseases endemic to those countries.

Friedman JF, Kurtis JD, Mtalib R, Opollo M, Lanar DE, Duffy PE. Malaria related to decreased nutritional status among adolescents and adults in the setting of intense perennial transmission. J Infect Dis, in press.

Fried M, Duffy PE. Two DBLgamma subtypes are commonly expressed by placental isolates of Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Biochem Parasitol 122:201-10, 2002.

Fried M, Duffy PE. Analysis of CSA-binding parasites and antiadhesion antibodies. Methods Mol Med 72:555-60, 2002.

Gourley IS, Kurtis JD, Kamoun M, Amon JJ, Duffy PE. Profound bias in interferon-gamma and interleukin-6 allele frequencies in western Kenya, where severe malarial anemia is common in children. J Infect Dis 186:1007-12, 2002.