ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

There are many people that helped and assisted me throughout this long journey and without you all this would have been much more difficult, thank you! In particular I would like to express my gratitude to the following people:

My supervisor Mats Wahlgren, I still remember the first time I sat in your office and you started talking about rosetting. Thank you for your guidance, your enthusiasm, your energy and the constant support. Thank you for the scientific freedom and opportunities you gave me during these 5 years.

My co-supervisor Kirsten Moll. I don’t even know where to start to express my gratitude for your constant help, all the time, every day and for every single doubt I had: thank you Kirsten for your patience. Also thank for the more “unofficial”

discussions and for all the lunch and coffee breaks spent together.

My co-supervisor Adnane Achour. Thank you for introducing me to the unknown field of structural biology. You really supported me day by day. I learned a lot from you and thanks to your guidance and constant suggestions I became a better scientist.

Thank you also for your friendship and invaluable support of my career pursuit.

My unofficial co-supervisor and teacher Tanja Sandalova, your great knowledge and patience inspired me throughout the years. Thank you for being available to answer all my doubts and to explain me all the secrets of structural biology.

My mentor Benedict Chambers: you mentored me indeed! Thanks for the serious chats, in-between the fun moments and jokes.

All the co-authors and friends that made it possible for me to accomplish my work while being in a fun, constructive and stimulating environment. Letusa Albrecht for teaching me when I started, for discussions, help and singing nights: you and Kirsten have been the best working partners! Karin Blomqvist for good times and inspiring discussions about FACS, antibodies and science in general; a special thank for proof-reading this thesis. Pilar Quintana good luck with everything. Tahmina for the invaluable bioinformatics support. Susanna Bächle for the friendship, the help with HTS and the fun times together. Nicolas Joannin and Arnaud Chêne for introducing me to the lab and sharing fantastic lunch breaks and Friday beers. Our great collaborator Alan Sawyer for the support with the mAb production, for being able to adapt according to our needs and for the nice lunch in Rome.

Thanks to the senior members of the Wahlgren´s group for fun and stimulating discussion: Akira Kaneko, Kristina Persson, Susanne Nylén and Qijun Chen.

Past and present members of the Wahlgren´s group for creating a fun and enjoyable environment and for the good every day laughter. My good friend Mia Palmkvist for fun times in and outside the lab. Johan Ankarklev for the great company and fun when you are in the lab, see you in the US my friend. Mattias Westman for nice after

works and “Hä”. Hodan Ismail, wish you all the best! Sandra Nilsson for looong discussions and enjoyable coffee breaks. Ulf Ribacke, Johan Normark, Fingani Mphande, Johanna Breuer, Jon Ortiz, Josea Rono, Sreenivasulu Basi Reddy, Sherwin Chan, Sriwipa “Jeab” Chuangchaiya, Isabel Dellacasa, Allan Lugaajju, Florence Urio, Muyideen Kolapo Tijani, Caroline Rönnberg, Kim Brolin, Adrian Luscombe, Zach Darroch, Alva Lindquist, Katja Obieglo, Marcus Österblad, Viviana Taylor Orozco, Suchi Goel, Reetesh Raj Akhouri, Junhong Ch´ng, Thomas Geislinger, Chim Chan and “Zul” Zulkarnain Md Idris.

Karolina Palmgren, before, and Martina Löfstedt Jalava, now, for fantastic administrative support and enjoyable discussions.

All the members of the Achour´s research group for being so kind and helpful and always taking the time to answer my questions and teaching me new methods. Tim Schulte, Hannes Uchtenhagen, Eva Allerbring, Anatoly Dubnovitsky, Adil Duru and Inga Muller.

All malaria researchers in Stockholm and in Sweden, members of the SMN for entertaining and interesting seminars, discussion and conferences. I will not mention all of you, but thank you to the members of the Anna Färnert, Anders Björkman, Göte Swedberg, Marita Troye-Blomberg and Klavs Berzins groups. In particular to all present and past fellow SMN board members: Ioana Bujila, Pablo Giusti, Isabel Veiga, Klara Lundblom, Irina Jovel-Dalmau, Ulrika Morris.

Members of the former PMV at SMI for welcoming me at the beginning of my adventure: Johan Lindh, Antonio Barragan, Polya Rosin, Romanico Arrighi, Victor Fernandez, Cecilia Thors, Marianne Lebbad, Silvia Botero-Kleiven, Ewert Linder, Anders Barfod and Jadwiga Krusnell.

Collaborators in Uganda Fred Kironde, Steven Kiwuwa and Justus Byarugaba.

The service, IT and administrative units at MTC. Especially the head of the department Marie Arsenian-Henriksson and co-ordinators Helene Stambeck and Anita Wallentin. Brigitta Wester for the help with FACS at MTC. David Malone and Martin Ivarsson for help with FACS at CIM. Tage for great support and big smiles. Susanne Larsén for her valuable work. Marcel Bokhove and Luca Jovine at NOVUM for access to and help with the thermophoresis instrument.

Milina, Rehijana and Jelena: tack för ert fantastiska job, stöd och humor. Tack för att ni delat fika pauser med mig och all skratt vi haft tilsammans. Jag kommer att saknar er!

For my far away friends, for always being there for me and for being good at keeping contact. For being so enthusiastic, every time I come back to visit, and welcoming me like no time has passed. For all the past good moments and the future one we are going to have together. Grazie ragazzi di tutto, specialmente a voi Sara, Clara, Massi, Francesca, Federica, Gabriella. Un grazie speciale e un mega abbraccio ai miei quasi fratelli Matteo e Niccoló e alla sempre presente e amorevole “Cugina” Frenci.

My friend Alessandro, to whom this work is dedicated, for showing me how, with strength and determination, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve your goals.

You set an example and I know you are still accompanying and guiding me through the journey of my life.

My family, for constant support and care over the years. My mum Francesca and my aunt Cristina. My father Luca. Thank you for giving me endless opportunities in life and always supporting me in every decision. For being there for me and making me feel close to home.

La mia famiglia, per il supporto e la cura incessante durante tutti questi anni. Mia mamma Francesca e mia zia Cristina. Mio padre Luca. Grazie per avermi dato infinite opportunitá nella vita e avermi sempre sostenuto in ogni mia decisione. Per esserci e farmi sentire sempre a casa.

My wife Aishe, yes during this time in Sweden I also had the luck to meet the most amazing person in my life, my person… This work would not have been possible without your support, help and encouragement. Thank you for enduring me during stressful periods. You made every day more enjoyable and special and I am looking forward to the rest of our lives together…