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People
Research Summary The Plasmodium falciparum parasite is a shape-shifter: it avoids our immune system by changing its 'disguise' every 48 hours. Yet, even while the surface proteins of P. falciparum-infected red cells vary periodically, the infected cells maintain their ability to adhere to host cells, 'hiding' from the blood-patrolling spleen. Cellular adhesion and sequestration of infected red cells are major factors in severe malaria complications and yet the mechanisms underlying the disease pathophysiology are poorly understood. In an effort to monitor and manipulate cellular adhesion, I am developing molecular probes that can specifically recognize P. falciparum-infected red cells. These will enable me to monitor, capture, or target infected red cells with unprecedented control and specificity. About Me After living twenty-some years in the arid deserts of Arizona, Christina pined for cooler climes, driving 3,000 miles to the near-arctic Commonwealth of Massachusetts. After so much highway time, Christina vowed to never again be behind the wheel of a car and instead took to the streets on one of her many bicycles (or unicycle). Christina spends most of her time outside of BL2 in the saddle, training for long-distance triathlons with MIT Triathlon or splashing through the mud in a winter cyclocross race with MIT Cycling. Con mucha frecuencia, ella va a la librería para comprar libros en español y siempre busca aprovechar oportunidades de conversar en otras idiomas. Christina is currently open to feedback regarding selection of her next language to learn or country to visit. Publications Wang Z, Birch CM, Sagotsky J, Deisboeck TS. Cross-scale, cross-pathway evaluation using an agent-based non-small cell lung cancer model. Bioinformatics; 2009; 25(18):2389-96. Wang Z, Birch CM, Deisboeck TS. Cross-scale sensitivity analysis of a non-small cell lung cancer model: linking molecular signaling properties to cellular behavior. Biosystems; 2008; 92(3):249-58.
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