Malaria Mosquito & Parasite Core

MMPC Overview

The Malaria Mosquito and Parasite Core (MMPC) is a Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute (JHMRI) service center which was created by combining the Insectary and Parasite Cores to streamline services and provide a better experience for researchers. MMPC provides mosquitoes, mosquitoes infected with malaria parasites, blood, various stages of malaria parasites, training, consultation and other services in the field of malaria research. 

Insectary Core

The Insectary Core is housed on the 4th Floor of the main School of Public Health building and occupies 3,000 square feet. It consists of seven environmentally controlled walk-in incubators, ten reach-in incubators and seven laboratory work areas. One section of the Insectary Core is a designated high-security area for handling arthropods infected with human malaria parasites and other pathogens.  This facility is dedicated to the production of mosquitoes for research purposes. The two major species reared are Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles stephensi. Aedes mosquitoes are also kept. Other mosquito species may be reared on demand.

Director: Dr. Conor McMeniman

Manager: Christopher Kizito

Parasite Core

The Parasite Core is located on the 4th Floor of the main School of Public Health building and is spatially integrated within the Insectary Core facility.  It comprises a state-of-the-art tissue culture room with relevant equipment. The malaria parasite has a complex life cycle, which involves the human host and mosquito vector and comprises of morphologically and physiologically different stages within a single host. The major function of Parasite Core facility is to support JHMRI researchers by providing consistent access to various stages of the malaria parasite.  In addition to providing core services, the Parasite Core is collaborating (and open to collaborate) with labs within and outside JHMRI for various research projects of mutual interests. 

Director: Dr. George Dimopoulos

Managers: Dr. Godfree Mlambo and Dr. Abhai Tripathi

 Links and Resources

1. Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute
2. General Insectary SOPs
3. JHMRI Insectary Anopheles Rearing Protocol
4. Phlebo user application

Contacts