From malaria to space: the road that didn’t exist | Antonella Pantaleo

Global Health & Disease Research - Malaria is a leading cause of death from parasitic diseases, causing 600,000 deaths annually, with 80% of deaths occurring in children under 5 [1] - The World Health Organization emphasizes the urgent need for new antimalarial drugs due to parasite resistance to existing treatments like artemisinin derived from Artemisia annua [2] - Research shifted focus from targeting the parasite directly to protecting the erythrocyte (red blood cell) by preventing the parasite from modifying its membrane proteins [2] - A drug, already in use for leukemia treatment, was found to trap and kill the parasite within the erythrocyte [2] - Ex vivo experiments in Uganda showed the drug's effectiveness in blood samples from malaria-infected children, leading to further trials [2][3][4] - Clinical trials in Vietnam demonstrated the drug's effectiveness in men, paving the way for potential commercialization in a few years, with the drug being patented [9][10][11] Space Biology & Research Applications - Research extended to space biology, studying the immune system in space missions and utilizing microgravity simulators [13][14][15] - Spirulina (cyanobacteria) demonstrated enhanced growth in extreme conditions (microgravity and 100% CO2) on simulated Martian soil, using synthetic urine as a nutrient source, indicating its potential as food and air purifier for astronauts [16][17] - Microgravity conditions were used to accelerate neurodegenerative disease studies using neuronal cells, creating a model for research [18]