Position

Group Leader

Contact

Division of Infection and Immunity
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
1G Royal Parade
Parkville VIC 3050

Tel: +61 3 9345 2476
Fax +61 3 9347 0852
www.wehi.edu.au/jake_baum

Research interests

My research interests focus on the molecular biology of the malaria parasite and how it invades the human erythrocyte. This is a critical stage in parasite development, responsible for all disease pathology, and therefore a focus of drug and vaccine development to prevent invasion and as such combat malaria disease.

Qualifications

B.A. Hons (Oxon), M.A. (Oxon), M.Sc., Ph.D.

Ten Most Significant Publications

1. Baum, J., L. Chen, J. Healer, S. Lopaticki, M. Boyle, T. Triglia, F. Ehlgen, S. A. Ralph, J. G. Beeson and A. F. Cowman. Reticulocyte-binding protein homologue 5 – an essential adhesin involved in invasion of human erythrocytes by Plasmodium falciparum. International Journal of Parasitology. In press October 2008. IF 3.39. CI NA.

2. Baum, J., T. W. Gilberger, F. Frischknecht and M. Meissner. 2008. Malaria parasite host-cell invasion: insights from across the Plasmodium lifecycle and Toxoplasma. Trends in Parasitology 24:557-63. IF 4.96 CI NA. Invited review.

3. Baum, J., C. J. Tonkin, A. Paul, B. J. Smith, D. Richard, T. D. Pollard, and A. F. Cowman. 2008. Formin regulation of actin polymerisation during malaria parasite invasion of the erythrocyte. Cell Host and Microbe 3:188-198. IF NA. CI 4.

4. Baum, J.*, A. T. Papenfuss*, B. Baum, T. P. Speed, and A. F. Cowman. 2006. Regulation of Apicomplexan actin-based motility. Nature Reviews Microbiology 4: 621-628. IF 14.96 CI 15.

5. Baum, J.*, D. Richard*, J. Healer, M. Rug, Z. Krnajski, T. W. Gilberger, J. L. Green, A. A. Holder and A. F. Cowman. 2006. A conserved molecular motor drives cell invasion and gliding motility across malaria lifecycle stages and Apicomplexan parasites. Journal of Biological Chemistry 281: 5197-208. IF 5.58 CI 46.

6. Baum, J., A. G. Maier, R. T. Good, K. M. Simpson, and A. F. Cowman. 2005. Invasion by P. falciparum merozoites suggests a hierarchy of molecular interactions. PLoS Pathogens 1: e37. IF 9.34 CI 26.

7. Marti M., J. Baum, M. Rug, L. Tilley and A. F. Cowman. 2005. Signal-mediated export of proteins from the malaria parasite to the host erythrocyte. Journal of Cell Biology 171:587-92. IF 9.60 CI 35.

8. Baum, J., A. W. Thomas, and D. J. Conway. 2003. Evidence for diversifying selection on erythrocyte-binding antigens of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. Genetics 163:1327-36. IF 4.00 CI 40.

9. Baum, J., M. Pinder, and D. J. Conway. 2003. Erythrocyte invasion phenotypes of Plasmodium falciparum in The Gambia. Infection and Immunity 71:1856-63. IF 4.00 CI 29.

10. Baum, J., R. H. Ward, and D. J. Conway. 2002. Natural selection on the erythrocyte surface. Molecular Biology and Evolution 19:223-9. IF 6.44 CI 29.

Currently Held Grants

Fluorescence Applications in Biotechnology and Life Sciences (FABLS) Project Grant. Imaging actin dynamics in the malaria parasite. International research exchange at Imperial College, London, UK. March to April 2009.

National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) Project Grant (516747) J. Baum (CIA) and C. J. Tonkin (CIB): Regulation of actin polymerization during malaria parasite invasion of human the erythrocyte. January 2008 to December 2010.

NHMRC Career Development Award I (516763) J. Baum: Regulation of actin polymerization during malaria parasite invasion of the human erythrocyte. January 2008 to December 2011.