This project is an ongoing collaboration among Dr. David Narum in NIAID, Dr. Albert Jin in NIBIB, and coworkers in the area of malaria vaccine development and malaria parasitology. The BESIP student shall join the ongoing investigation of the macromolecular structure and nanomechanical properties of malaria vaccine candidates, nano-particle carriers, and subcellular organelles of the malaria parasites via biological atomic force microscopy (Bio-AFM) and related bioanalysis. The vaccine candidates and nano-carriers are being produced via recombinant-protein biotechnology, purified, and characterized in a manner suitable for human trials and scale-up productions. We here focus on using Bio-AFM to understand the structural properties toward enhanced immunological response and eventual eradication of malaria. This project also aims to extend the AFM methodology for imaging and force spectroscopy of all macromolecules and nanostructures. Specific details of the student's work are to be determined through discussions with the mentors.