📄 In silico analysis of the invasion mechanics and invasiveness of the Plasmodium falciparum merozoite

For this PhD, Dr. Chimwemwe Msosa used in silico biomechanics to unravel how Plasmodium falciparum merozoites invade human red blood cells—and why cell shape and membrane damage matter.
With finite element modelling and smoothed particle hydrodynamics, he shows that:
▪️ Erythrocyte morphology matters
Increased sphericity (as in hereditary spherocytosis) significantly reduces merozoite invasiveness by increasing the energetic cost of invasion.
▪️ Invasion requires surprisingly small forces
The minimum force required for successful invasion is ≈ 11 pN, providing a quantitative benchmark for future experiments and models.
▪️ Timing of erythrocyte membrane damage plays a role
Membrane damage induced early during invasion makes the merozoite more invasive than damage accumulated over time.
▪️ Nanoindentation shows real promise
Local nanoindentation is sensitive to merozoite‑induced membrane damage in erythrocytes, pointing to a potential mechanics‑based screening tool for invasion‑blocking antimalarial drugs.
These findings highlight host‑cell biomechanics as a quantifiable and targetable factor in malaria invasion—bridging computational modelling, cell mechanics, and drug discovery.

Thanks to Tamer Abdalrahman for his contributions!