Dissecting the function of essential rhoptry genes of the malaria parasite

This thesis explored the role of essential Rhoptry-proteins (RAPs) in parasites that cause malaria. Utilising genetic engineering approaches, this work provides the first formal proof that RAPs are not involved in the invasion of host erythrocytes and instead presents evidence supporting a post-invasion role. This changes the existing notion of RAPs as potential vaccine-candidates to being potential drug-targets.