LIHEME: Unraveling Lipid-dependent Mechanisms in Heme Detoxification

This project aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms behind hemozoin formation in Plasmodium falciparum, a vital process for parasite survival and a key target of antimalarial drugs. Focusing on the role of lipids and their involvement in heme detoxification, we use genetically engineered parasite lines, advanced imaging, and drug susceptibility assays to investigate how disruptions in lipid dynamics affect parasite growth and drug response. Combining expertise in parasitology, molecular biology, and drug resistance, this international collaboration seeks to identify novel targets for antimalarial therapy, contributing to global efforts to improve treatment strategies and overcome drug resistance.

Funding Agency

ESCMID – European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Funding Agency

ESCMID – European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Project Reference

19298 ESCMID_2025

Project Members

Main Project Outcomes

S. Queirós, “Right ventricular segmentation in multi-view cardiac MRI using a unified U-net model”, in E. Puyol Antón et al. (eds) Statistical Atlases and Computational Models of the Heart. Multi-Disease, Multi-View, and Multi-Center Right Ventricular Segmentation in Cardiac MRI Challenge. STACOM 2021. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 13131, pp. 287-295, Springer, Cham, 2022.

“Best Paper Award in the M&Ms-2 Challenge”, by M&Ms2 Challenge organizers and the Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention (MICCAI) Society.