Idle Parasites

We’ve all heard of malaria, a parasite-induced blood infection that causes flu-like symptoms and possibly death. However, did you know that a malaria causing parasite can lie dormant in your liver for weeks to months? It’s called Plasmodium vivax, and Dr. Dennis Kyle from UGA’s Infectious Disease and Cellular Biology departments is here to talk about his research on this problematic parasite. Through a Gates Foundation grant, Dr. Kyle recreated liver conditions in a lab setting and was one of the first to measure the effects of P. vivax dormancy outside the body. Join host April Sorrow on this segment of Classic City Science to learn about Dr. Kyle’s research and his pursuit to cure the world of this deadly parasite.