The podcast of the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP) launches its ninth episode to mark World Malaria Day. This infectious disease, although under control in some regions, still affects more than 200 million people worldwide.

In today's episode, Carmen Fernández Becerra, co-leader of the Plasmodium vivax and Exosome Research Group (PvREX) at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and IGTP, discusses malaria (also known as paludism) and the road towards its elimination. The episode revisits the basics of the disease, the parasites that cause it, and the research being carried out by her group.

It also explores key topics such as preventive measures for travellers to malaria-endemic areas, recently introduced vaccines, and success stories in disease control. Regarding the group's research, the podcast highlights their work on hidden Plasmodium vivax infections and the role of extracellular vesicles, as well as their efforts to develop new methodologies and identify novel biomarkers.

'Un bri de ciència' is an initiative by IGTP that gives voice to its researchers and aims to bring their knowledge and work closer to the general public. The podcast supports the institute's outreach and awareness-raising goals.

The episode is now available on Spotify, iVoox and Apple Podcasts.