Plasmodium reichenowi is a species of malaria parasite that primarily infects chimpanzees. While it does not commonly infect humans, studying this parasite and its key proteins can provide valuable insights into the biology and pathology of other malaria parasites that do affect humans, such as Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.

One important protein in Plasmodium reichenowi that researchers are studying is its erythrocyte binding protein (EBP).

The erythrocyte binding protein (EBP) is a protein found in Plasmodium reichenowi and other malaria parasites. It is essential for the parasite’s invasion of red blood cells, a critical step in the lifecycle of the parasite.

Studying EBP and its role in the invasion of red blood cells can provide valuable insights into the biology and pathology of malaria parasites. Researchers are working to develop drugs and vaccines that target this protein, with the hope of preventing the invasion of red blood cells and ultimately curing malaria.

In addition to EBP, researchers are also studying other key proteins in Plasmodium reichenowi, including MSP-1, AMA-1, and RH5. These proteins play critical roles in the invasion of red blood cells and the transmission of the parasite.

The application of Plasmodium reichenowi cDNA and recombinant antigen can also be in several areas, including:
Evolutionary studies: cDNA and recombinant antigens can be used to study the evolutionary relationship between different species of malaria parasites. Comparing the genetic sequences of different Plasmodium species can provide insights into the evolution of different traits such as drug resistance or virulence.
Drug discovery: cDNA and recombinant antigens can be used to identify new drug targets and to screen for potential drug candidates. The parasite’s genetic information can be used to identify genes that are essential for its survival, which can then be targeted with new drugs. Recombinant antigens can also be used to test the efficacy of new drugs by measuring their ability to inhibit the activity of the antigen.
Vaccine development: cDNA and recombinant antigens can be used to develop vaccines against malaria in chimpanzees. The genes that encode important surface proteins or other antigens of the parasite can be cloned and expressed as recombinant antigens to induce an immune response against the parasite in chimpanzees.

The use of recombinant proteins/cDNA in academic research and therapeutic applications has skyrocketed. However, in heterologous expression systems, successful recombinant protein expression is dependent on a variety of factors, including codon preference, RNA secondary structure, and GC content. When compared to pre-optimization, more and more experimental results demonstrated that the expression level was dramatically increased, ranging from two to hundred times depending on the gene. Bioclone has created a proprietary technology platform that has resulted in the creation of over 6,000 artificially synthesized codon-optimized cDNA clones (cloned in E. coli expression Vector), which are ready for production of the recombinant proteins.