ATTENUATED LIVER-STAGE PLASMODIUM AND VACCINE CONTAINING THE SAME
The present invention relates to a genetically engineered live Plasmodium organism. In particular, the present invention relates to an attenuated live Plasmodium organism characterized in being attenuated in the liver-stage. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to isolated nucleic acids relating to a liver specific promoter allowing liver-stage specific expression of mRNA in Plasmodium organisms. In addition, pharmaceutical compositions, in particular, vaccines, are provided comprising the live Plasmodium organism of the present invention in particular useful for vaccination against malaria diseases.