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. 2021 Aug 10;12:4806. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-24954-4

Fig. 6. Scheme depicting the simple induction protocol for the routine mass production of NF54/iGP gametocytes and potential applications for future research.

Fig. 6

Addition of Shield-1/removal of GlcN (NF54/iGP1) or removal of GlcN (NF54/iGP2) from a synchronous ring stage culture triggers sexual commitment in trophozoites and produces progeny consisting of up to 75% sexual ring stage parasites. Addition of 50 mM GlcNAc to the culture medium for the next six days eliminates the remaining asexual parasites. Expected numbers of parasite-infected RBCs (#) and percent parasitaemia (% P) of total (black letters), asexual (grey letters), and sexual (red letters) parasites in the progeny routinely obtained from a 10 ml culture at 5% haematocrit (HC) and 1.5% starting parasitaemia are indicated. Asexual parasites are depicted in grey, sexually committed parasites and gametocytes are depicted in purple (females) and green (males). asS/scS asexual/sexually committed schizont, asR/scR asexual/sexually committed ring stage, T trophozoite, I–V gametocyte stages I–V, D1–D10 days 1–10 of gametocyte maturation, G gametes, Z zygote, Ok ookinete, Oc oocyst, Sp sporozoites, hepS intrahepatic schizont. Possible applications of NF54/iGP lines for basic, applied, and translational research on P. falciparum gametocytes and mosquito-stage parasites are listed below the schematic.