Plasmodium Vacuole (VIDEO) Duke University This video is under embargo. Please login to access this video. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Caption Before invading the bloodstream, the malaria-causing Plasmodium parasite (small blue blobs) hides inside small pouches within its host's liver cells and rapidly reproduces. In a new study, Duke University researchers found that liver-stage Plasmodium tricks cells into producing a protein called aquaporin-3 (red) and then steals the protein for its own use. Inhibiting aquaporin-3 may provide a new way to fight the proliferation of the Plasmodium parasite and prevent malaria before symptoms start. Credit Dora Posfai, Duke University Usage Restrictions with credit License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.