She has 20 years of experience working on molecular biological approaches to parasitology and immunology. For the last 8 years her research at the Institut Pasteur has been largely devoted to baculovirus expression of MSP1 C-terminal antigens and the analysis of their structure, biological properties and role in the induction of protective efficacy in primate systems. This work has provided the basis for the recent determination of the MSP1-19 crystal structure and has led to filing three patent applications based on the use of these antigens in malaria vaccines.

The combined impact of the research from this laboratory and its collaborators has led to the designation of baculovirus MSP1-19 as a leading vaccine candidate. Dr Longacre is a Directeur de Recherche in the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientific) and has been a member of the WHO MSP1 vaccine development team.

Dr Longacre will contribute to the EUROMALVAC Consortium's structural studies by producing and purifying the baculovirus recombinant MSP1-19 and MSP1-42 proteins. She is also responsible for making mutated versions of these proteins for the determination of functionally important structures. In this work she will collaborate directly with Drs Holder and Bentley.

Other members of Dr Longacre's laboratory will also contribute to the work of the EUROMALVAC Consortium. A senior engineer in this laboratory, I. Holm has participated since 1994 in all htmlects of the MSP1 related research. She will be involved with the purification and analysis of the recombinant protein. S. Petres is a senior technician in the Cellular Technology Laboratory at the Pasteur Institute and has worked extensively with the baculovirus expression system for many years. He will be involved with the optimisation of conditions for the production of the baculovirus recombinant proteins.