The blood-stage malaria antigens merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) and apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) are exposed as the merozoite invades target erythrocytes, and are considered important blood-stage vaccine candidates, especially owing to their association with protective immunity in pre-clinical studies of mice3,4 and non-human primates.5–7 Protection is primarily associated with the induction of high-titre antibodies and, to a lesser extent, T-cell activity. The gene discussed is ATAD1; the disease is malaria.