-

About

We have a strong interest in host-parasite interactions that govern successful malaria infection and transmission. In particular we study parasite proteins that are required for entry into red blood cells that are completely exposed to human immune system and parasite proteins involved in malaria parasite transmission.

My lab combines molecular, cellular and structural biology methods with parasitology to study the mechanisms by which parasite proteins recognise and bind to human proteins in parasite invasion, and how they function in fertilisation and transmission. Using this information, we design and generate new vaccines or antibodies that are able to stop the recurrent infection in the host and halt parasite transmission.

We work closely with partners in malaria endemic regions to ensure that our research remains relevant in combating this disease.

Publications

Selected publications from Prof Wai-Hong Tham

Dietrich MH, Chmielewski J, Chan L-J, Tan LL, Adair A, Lyons FMT, Gabriela M, Lopaticki S, Dite TA, Dagley LF, Pazzagli L, Gupta P, Kamil M, Vaughan AM, Rojrung R, Abraham A, Mazhari R, Longley RJ, Zeglinski K, Gouil Q, Mueller I, Fabb SA, Shandre-Mugan R, Pouton CW, Glukhova A, Shakeel S, Tham W-H. Cryo-EM structure of endogenous Plasmodium falciparum Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 fertilization complex. Science. 2025;:10.1126/science.ady0241

D J, Krauss L, Smith L, D’Andrea L, Chan L-J, Abraham A, Kiernan-Walker N, Mazhari R, Lamont M, Lim PS, Sattabongkot J, Lacerda MV, Wini L, Mueller I, Longley RJ, Pymm P, Fleishman SJ, Tham W-H. Stabilized designs of the malaria adhesin protein PvRBP2b for use as a potential diagnostic for Plasmodium vivax. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2025;301(3):10.1016/j.jbc.2025.108290

Winnicki AC, Dietrich MH, Yeoh LM, Carias LL, Roobsoong W, Drago CL, Malachin AN, Redinger KR, Feufack-Donfack LB, Baldor L, Jung NC, McLaine OS, Skomorovska-Prokvolit Y, Orban A, Opi DH, Kirtley P, Nielson K, Aleshnick M, Zanghi G, Rezakhani N, Vaughan AM, Wilder BK, Sattabongkot J, Tham W-H, Popovici J, Beeson JG, Bosch J, King CL. Potent AMA1-specific human monoclonal antibody against P. vivax Pre-erythrocytic and Blood Stages. 2024;:10.1101/2024.02.07.579302

Dietrich MH, Gabriela M, Reaksudsan K, Dixon MWA, Chan L-J, Adair A, Trickey S, O’Neill MT, Tan LL, Lopaticki S, Healer J, Keremane S, Cowman AF, Tham W-H. Nanobodies against Pfs230 block Plasmodium falciparum transmission. Biochemical Journal. 2022;479(24):10.1042/bcj20220554

Pymm P, Adair A, Chan L-J, Cooney JP, Mordant FL, Allison CC, Lopez E, Haycroft ER, O’Neill MT, Tan LL, Dietrich MH, Drew D, Doerflinger M, Dengler MA, Scott NE, Wheatley AK, Gherardin NA, Venugopal H, Cromer D, Davenport MP, Pickering R, Godfrey DI, Purcell DFJ, Kent SJ, Chung AW, Subbarao K, Pellegrini M, Glukhova A, Tham W-H. Nanobody cocktails potently neutralize SARS-CoV-2 D614G N501Y variant and protect mice. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2021;118(19):10.1073/pnas.2101918118

Chan L-J, Gandhirajan A, Carias LL, Dietrich MH, Vadas O, Visentin R, França CT, Menant S, Soldati-Favre D, Mueller I, King CL, Tham W-H. Naturally acquired blocking human monoclonal antibodies to Plasmodiumvivax reticulocyte binding protein 2b. Nature Communications. 2021;12(1):10.1038/s41467-021-21811-2

Gruszczyk J, Huang RK, Chan L-J, Menant S, Hong C, Murphy JM, Mok Y-F, Griffin MDW, Pearson RD, Wong W, Cowman AF, Yu Z, Tham W-H. Cryo-EM structure of an essential Plasmodium vivax invasion complex. Nature. 2018;559(7712):10.1038/s41586-018-0249-1

Gruszczyk J, Kanjee U, Chan L-J, Menant S, Malleret B, Lim NTY, Schmidt CQ, Mok Y-F, Lin K-M, Pearson RD, Rangel G, Smith BJ, Call MJ, Weekes MP, Griffin MDW, Murphy JM, Abraham J, Sriprawat K, Menezes MJ, Ferreira MU, Russell B, Renia L, Duraisingh MT, Tham W-H. Transferrin receptor 1 is a reticulocyte-specific receptor for Plasmodium vivax. Science. 2018;359(6371):10.1126/science.aan1078

França CT, He W-Q, Gruszczyk J, Lim NTY, Lin E, Kiniboro B, Siba PM, Tham W-H, Mueller I. Plasmodium vivax Reticulocyte Binding Proteins Are Key Targets of Naturally Acquired Immunity in Young Papua New Guinean Children. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2016;10(9):10.1371/journal.pntd.0005014

Gruszczyk J, Lim NTY, Arnott A, He W-Q, Nguitragool W, Roobsoong W, Mok Y-F, Murphy JM, Smith KR, Lee S, Bahlo M, Mueller I, Barry AE, Tham W-H. Structurally conserved erythrocyte-binding domain in Plasmodium provides a versatile scaffold for alternate receptor engagement. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2016;113(2):10.1073/pnas.1516512113

Lab research projects

Interested in supporting our research?

Your support will help WEHI’s researchers make discoveries and find treatments to ensure healthier, longer lives for you and your loved ones.

Contact our friendly team to find out how you can help.