Liver-stage Plasmodium (IMAGE) Duke University Caption The liver stage of the malaria parasite Plasmodium (blue) relies on a host protein called aquaporin-3 (pink) to survive and copy itself. Inhibiting the function of 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.