Figure 1.

Principle of malaria theranostics with hemozoin-generated vapor nanobubbles (H-VNB). (A): Selective generation of a transient H-VNB around hemozoin nanocrystal inside a malaria parasite within an infected red blood cell (iRBC). (B): Detection of optical scattering signals from the H-VNB can occur with an additional probe laser (red) and optical detector (OD). (C): The mechanical destruction of the parasite occurs by explosive expansion and collapse of the H-VNB during its nanosecond lifespan. There would be no effect on nearby uninfected red blood cells, which lack hemozoin particles.