Associate Professor Paul Gilson
Deputy Discipline Head, Life Sciences; Co-Head Malaria Virulence, Drug Discovery and Resistance; Head of Burnet Cell Imaging Facility
Working groups
Background
Paul Gilson is a molecular biologist primarily interested in how malaria parasites invade and thrive in human red blood cells and avoid host immunity.
Improving our understanding of these basic cellular processes will greatly accelerate our efforts to develop new drugs and vaccines to combat this devastating disease.
Awards
- 2019: Fenner Award, Burnet Institute. Awarded for outstanding contribution towards the Institute’s mission
- 2012: Gust-McKenzie medallist, Burnet Institute
Positions
- Co-lab head of the Gilson/Crabb laboratory
- Co-head, Malaria Virulence and Drug Discovery Group
- Head of Burnet’s Cell Imaging Facility.
Burnet publications
View 95 moreOptimization and Characterization of the Antimalarial Activity of N-Aryl Acetamides that are Susceptible to Mutations in ROM8 and CSC1
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
William Nguyen et al
Review 1: "Prodrug Activation in Malaria Parasites Mediated by An Imported Erythrocyte Esterase, Acylpeptide Hydrolase (APEH)"
Paul R. Gilson
Review of "Prodrug Activation in Malaria Parasites Mediated by An Imported Erythrocyte Esterase, Acylpeptide Hydrolase (APEH)"
Paul R. Gilson
Current projects
Understanding how malaria parasites become resistant to drugs
This project aims to understand how novel mutations will affect malaria parasites from West Africa.
Developing a new rapid diagnostic test for elimination of malaria
Rapid diagnostic tests can analyse a drop of someone's blood to check if they're carrying Plasmodium. The tests use antibodies to capture and detect proteins produced by the parasite.
Discovering novel antimalarials to block parasite invasion of human cells
Drugs are the main weapons used to combat malaria infection. However, parasites are becoming resistant and new medicines and drug targets are needed.
Past projects
Drug resistance and mechanism of action studies
We work with medicinal chemists to develop new antimalarials that are effective against already multi-drug resistant parasites.
Discovering novel antimalarials to block parasite virulence
Drugs are the main weapons used to combat malaria infection, but parasites are becoming resistant and new medicines and drug targets are needed.