An update on the rapid advances in malaria parasite cell biology

Recent years have seen rapid advances in our understanding of malaria parasite cell biology. Some of this progress has been the result of developments in genetic techniques, advances in imaging technology, and new molecular tools. We focus on three aspects of parasite cell biology: (i) plastid metabolism, (ii) sporozoite biology, and (iii) protein transport to and from the host erythrocyte. In each case recent work has led to a deeper understanding of parasite biology, often at the expense of previously accepted paradigms. These studies also highlight the impediments, technical and otherwise, that will have to be overcome for continued rapid progress in these fields.