The Johns Hopkins Malaria
Research Institute (JHMRI)
History and Goals
The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute (JHMRI) was created in
May, 2001, with funds from an anonymous donor of $100 million, to
establish a state-of-the-art research facility to treat and control malaria,
develop a vaccine and find new drug targets to prevent and cure this
deadly disease.
Anonymous Donor
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Diane Griffin, MD, PhD
Founding Director
Director and Deputy Directors
Director
Peter Agre, MD
Deputy Directors
George Dimopoulos, PhD
Fidel Zavala, MD
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Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena, PhD
Photini Sinnis, MD
Malaria Researchers affiliated with JHMRI
Fidel Zavala
Immunology
Photini Sinnis Alan Scott
Cell Biology
Genomics
Sungano Mharakurwa Phil Thuma
Parasite diagnostics
Clinical malaria Passive case detection
Isabelle Coppens
Jenny Stevenson
Plasmodium metabolism
Entomology
Jelena Levitskaya
Douglas Norris
Immunology
Mosquito biology/ecology
Peter Agre
Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena
Water channel biology
Mosquito-parasite interactions
David Sullivan
Heme metabolism
George Dimopoulos
Sean Prigge
Mosquito innate immunity
Co-factor metabolism
Rhoel Dinglasan
Scott Bailey
Transmission-blocking
DNA regulation
Greg Glass
Jürgen Bosch
Environmental Surveillance
Structure-based drug design
Gary Posner
Drug compounds
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Clive Shiff
Theresa Shapiro
Drug development
Myaing Nyunt
Drug efficacy
Ernesto Freire
Parasite inhibitors
William Moss David Smith
Epidemiology
Mathematical modeling
Macha Research Trust, Choma,
Southern Province, Zambia
• Field station in rural Zambia
• Access to community
• Focus on malaria, but other
diseases studied (HIV, TB)
• Molecular lab
• Insectary
• Development of malaria sphere
• Operations also include sociologybased research (e.g. perceptions of
malaria)
• Dr. Phil Thuma, MD
Senior Scientific Advisor
• Dr. Sungano Mharakurwa, PhD
Scientific Director
• Dr. Jennifer Stevenson, PhD
Lead Entomologist
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Field sites – Zambia and Zimbabwe,
ICEMR project
• International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research:
– Combined and complimentary studies on:
– malaria epidemiology, vector biology and parasite genetics/genomics
• 3 sites:
Zambia: Choma, south; Nchelenge, north;
Zimbabwe: Mutasa, East
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Core Facilities
I. JHMRI Cores
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Biophysics Core
Environmental Surveillance Core
Insectary Core
Parasitology Core
II. MMI Cores & Facilities
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Genomic Analysis and Sequencing Core
Core Microscopy Facility
Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting
Becton Dickinson Immune Function Laboratory
HIV Clinical and Basic Research Laboratory
Biophysics Core
• Facility Co-Directors
Scott Bailey, PhD
Email: scbailey@jhsph.edu
Jürgen Bosch, PhD
Email: jubosch@jhsph.edu
Sean Prigge, PhD
Email: sprigge@jhsph.edu
Biophysics Core
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
615 N. Wolfe Street, Room W8620
Baltimore, Maryland 21205
Telephone: 443-287-48227 fax: 410-955-0105
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Biophysics Core
The Biophysics Core Facility provides equipment for JHMRI
investigators who want to characterize macromolecules or
macromolecular complexes using biophysical techniques
Isothermal Titration Calorimetry: This technique measures the heat of binding
between two molecules, providing a direct measurement of binding affinity.
Location: W8620
Biophysics Core
Dynamic Light Scattering. This technique provides information about the size, shape
and oligomerization state of biomolecules.
Location: W8620
Circular Dichroism. This technique measures the overall secondary structure content
of proteins and quantifies changes in structure under different conditions.
Location: W8620
Biophysics Core
X-ray Crystallography. This technique is used to determine the atomic resolution
three-dimensional structure of biomolecules and macromolecular complexes.
Location: W4317
Environmental Surveillance Core
http://gislab.jhu.edu/default.asp
• Facility Co-Director
Timothy Shields, MA
Department of MMI
Email: tshields@jhsph.edu
• Facility Co-Director
Dr. Frank Curriero, PhD, MA
Department of EHS
Email: fcurrier@jhsph.edu
Environmental Surveillance Core Facility
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
615 N. Wolfe Street, Room E3025
Baltimore, Maryland 21205
Telephone: 410-502-9077 fax: 410-955-0105
Overview - Spatial Analysis
Spatial Data
Obtain, Collect, Create
Images (Satellite, Google Earth)
Spatial Data Accuracy
Non-spatial data
GIS*
Maps
Spatial Database/Integration
View Patterns Simultaneously
Generate/Refine Hypothesis
Spatial Statistics
Quantify Relationships
Test Hypothesis
Study Design
Go Beyond the Map!
Rationale
Identified malaria outcomes and measured environmental determinants
likely vary spatially. Collect and harness this information to improve
• study design
• analysis
• prevention, intervention, control and policy efforts
*Geographic Information System
GIS
- Integrate data layers
- Spatially link data
- Digitizing
- Maps
- Hypotheses
Spatial Statistics
- Risk map estimation
- Assess clustering
- Detect clusters
- Identify Env factors
for modeling spatial
variation
- Assess trends over
space & time
Insectary Core Facility
• Facility Director:
Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena, PhD
Email: mlorena@jhsph.edu
• Facility Manager:
Christopher Kizito, MS
Email: ckizito@jhsph.edu
Insectary Core Facility
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
615 N. Wolfe Street, Room W4700
Baltimore, Maryland 21205
Telephone: 443-287-0789 fax: 410-955-0105
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Insectary Map
• Size: 3000 sq ft.
divided into two
operational areas –
High-Containment
(Area 2) and LowContainment
(Areas 1, 3 & 4).
• There are seven
procedure rooms
and an autoclave.
Insectary Core Services
• Mosquito rearing: produces 30~40,000
mosquitoes per week (An. gambiae and An.
stephensi). Mosquitoes can be ordered by
researchers.
• Provides space and assistance for rearing of other
mosquito species.
• Training in insectary use, mosquito rearing,
handling and identification techniques.
• Mosquito transformation (transgenic mosquitoes)
services and training in embryo injections.
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For new insectary users:
• Training required by insectary manager before access is granted
• Specialized training required to work with Plasmodium falciparum-infected
mosquitoes
• Register on the website to place mosquito orders:
http://jhmalaria.jhsph.edu/department/insectary/FrameForm.cfm
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Parasite Core Facility
http://www.parasitecore.org/
• Facility Director:
George Dimopoulos, PhD, MBA
gdimopou@jhsph.edu
• Facility Co-Manager:
Godfree Mlambo, PhD
gmlambo@jhsph.edu
• Facility Co-Manager:
Abhai K. Tripathi, PhD
atripath@jhsph.edu
Parasite Core Facility
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
615 N. Wolfe Street, Room W4212
Baltimore, Maryland 21205
Telephone: 410-502-7744 fax: 410-955-0105
Parasite Core Facility
LOCATION
-TISSUE/CELL/PARASITE CULTURE ROOM
-OFFICE AND MOLECULAR LAB ON 5TH FLOOR
Parasite Core Facility
Major Core Services…
P. falciparum Parasite Cultures
Asexual Stage (1 week prep time)
Gametocyte Stage (3 week prep time)
Rings Stage
Mosquito Stage Parasites
P. falciparum sporozoites (6 weeks prep time)
P. berghei and yoelii sporozoites (4 weeks prep time)
Trophozoites and Schizonts
Drug Sensitivity Assays
in vitro antimalarial assays (P. falciparum)
in vivo antimalarial assays (rodent model)
Gametocytes
Training
Malaria culture techniques
Membrane feeding assay
Safe technique for infected mosquito handling
Sporozoites
Parasite Core Facility
Custom Services and Collaboration Opportunities
• Generation of Transgenic parasite lines
• Transmission blocking assays (sera and compounds)
• IFA (Mosquito stages)
• Sporozoite slides
• High-throughput Anti-malarial assays (SYBR green)
• In vivo drug efficacy assays
• P. falciparum gametocytocidal assays (96 well plate, fluorescence assay)
Genomic Analysis and Sequencing Core Facility
http://jhmmi.jhsph.edu/department/gene_array/FrameForm.cfm
• Facility Director:
Alan Scott, PhD
Email: ascott@jhsph.edu
• Facility Manager:
Anne Jedlicka, MS
Email: ajedlick@jhsph.edu
Amanda Dziedzic
Email: adziedzi@jhsph.edu
Genomic Analysis and Sequencing Core Facility
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
615 N. Wolfe Street, Room E4208
Baltimore, Maryland 21205
Telephone: 443-287-5967 fax: 410-955-0105
Core Services
• Microarray experiments (Affymetrix, Agilent, NimbleGen)
• Next Generation Sequencing (Roche 454, Illumina MiSeq)
• Genotyping studies
– Microarray-based GWAS, cytogenetics
– TaqMan allelic discrimination SNP analysis
• Real-Time PCR assays (TaqMan, PCRarray)
• DNA and RNA purification and Quality Assessment
• Detailed Data Analysis (microarray and genotyping)
• Consultation on experimental design, implementation, and/or analysis
• Protocol adaptation and development
• Instrument and Applications training
Next Generation Sequencing
• Instruments
– Roche 454 GS FLX+
– Roche 454 GS Junior
– Illumina MiSeq (JHMI Biological Chemistry Core)
• Applications
– de novo Genome Sequencing (viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites…)
– Targeted Resequencing (amplicon, Sequence Capture)
– Metagenomics (microbiome, mycobiome)
– Transcriptome Analysis
– Gene regulation (CHIP-seq, etc)
– miRNA
• Samples
– Genomic DNA
– PCR products
– cDNA
– Aptamers
Imaging and Microscopy
Resource Facility
http://jhmmi.jhsph.edu/department/microscope1/FrameForm.cfm
• Facility Director:
Isabelle Coppens, PhD
Email: icoppens@jhsph.edu
Imaging and Microscopy Resource Facility
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
615 N. Wolfe Street, Room E2214
Baltimore, Maryland 21205
Telephone: 443-287-1589 fax: 410-955-0105
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Facility Services
The facility provides advanced instrumentation for the digital documentation
of everything from macromolecules to cells and tissues
• Available Equipment
- FujiFilmFLA2000 Fluorescent laser scanning imager
- FujiFilmLAS3000 Luminescense imager
- Nikon Eclipse E800 upright microscope
- Nikon TE200 inverted microscope
- Nikon Eclipse90i upright microscope
• New Users must first register before gaining access to the facility microscopes
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Travel Funds
JHMRI Matching Travel funds
• Matching PI funds up to $600 per academic year for Pre- & Post-docs to
give poster/talk at conference
• PI approval required before submitting request to Maryann Smith.
MMI Travel Funds
• 1st & 2nd year MMI students eligible for $750 per academic year
• Submit requests to Thom Hitzelberger
JH Center for Global Health Travel Funds
• Global Health Established Field Placement Awards
http://www.hopkinsglobalhealth.org/travel_grants/established_placements/index.html
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JHMRI Pre- and Post-doctoral Fellowships
• Maximum two years support
• Eligibility:
- in JHMRI laboratory
- Pre-docs, PhD candidate & completed all requirements including oral exam
• Applications accepted once a year July 1st
• Proposals reviewed by Director, Deputy Directors & 2 to 3 JHMRI Faculty
Other Funding Opportunities
• Barr Research – Vector Research
• Bang Award – For students engaged in pathobiology research
• Sommer Scholar – 2nd year students applying for 3rd year funding
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JHMRI Pilot Grants for Faculty
• Development of new malaria ideas which lead to future external funding
• Maximum support $150,000 over 2 years
• Pre-applications accepted on May 1st
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“Points of Contact”
Items related to Dr. Agre:
Trish Ward
tward@jhsph.edu
Room E5143, x78745
Fellowship, Pilot Grant & Listserve:
Maryann Smith*
mksmith@jhsph.edu
Room E5004, x74853 or
Genevieve Nixon Williams
gnixon@jhsph.edu
Room E5141, 44883
*Tropical Medicine Dinner Club &
MMI Thurs Seminar Listserves
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Reimbursements, Access to
Copier, Printers & Rooms:
Thom Hitzelberger
thitzelb@jhsph.edu
Room E5132, x53457
Human Resources Questions:
Nancy Lance
nbiglari@jhsph.edu
Room E5132, x74775
Welch Library/PubMed research help:
Peggy Gross
mgross21@jhmi.edu
Room E5640, x27574
(available Tues & Thurs)
MMI Internal Website
http://jhmmi.jhsph.edu
• Department directory
• Personnel photos and search features
• MMI Equipment, Instruments & scheduling
• Events calendar, etc.
• Inter-departmental email system
- allows mass emailing to department
• Access with your JHBSPH email login and password
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JHMRI Website
http://malaria.jhsph.edu/
School plans redesign of MMI
& JHMRI websites.
Send your suggestions for
redesign of JHMRI website to
malaria@jhsph.edu
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Student Research Groups
• JHMRI Organizer:
Peter Dumoulin
Room: W2708
410-502-9134
pdumouli@jhsph.edu
•MMI Organizer:
Amanda Balaban
Room: E4209
443-287-0129
abalaban@jhsph.edu
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MMI/JHMRI Post-doc Organization
Organizers:
Daniel Ragheb
dragheb@jhsph.edu
Room E4209
x70129
Ryan Smith
rcsmith@jhsph.edu
Room W4008
x70789
• Informal monthly meetings with MMI and MRI post-docs to
promote camaraderie within the department
– Able to present results, troubleshoot experiments, discuss events in
the department and plan social gatherings
• MMI Post-doc Summer Seminar Series
– Weekly seminar series for post-docs to present their work
• JHMRI Post-doc Summer Seminar Series
- Friday seminar series for post-docs to present their research
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For students and post-docs….
• The JHMI Professional Development Office (PDO)
-http://www.jhu.edu/~pdo/
• Professional Development Courses
– Grant writing (GrantCraft)
– Research Leadership
– Presentation and Writing Skills
• Career Development Center
– Career Fairs and job postings
– Individual Consultations
• Contact info :
– Donna Vogel
dvogel@jhmi.edu
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