# Malaria Invasion™

> Educational game simulating malaria parasite invasion of red blood cells. (iPhone/iPad app by Drexel University.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/malaria-invasion/id1426466230 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Drexel University](https://appshunter.io/developer/410950254)
- Category: Education, Medical
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 138 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2018-10-12
- Data updated: 2026-06-01
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/malaria-invasion/id1426466230/reviews.md

## What is Malaria Invasion™?

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @Drexel_IMMID, #IMMID, #MalariaInvasion
Visit our website: drexel.edu/medicine/immid-cbpd

Purpose:
Malaria Invasion is the second in a series of educational mobile games developed by the Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease at Drexel University College of Medicine, to introduce players to the dynamic world of infectious disease. The first mobile game was CD4 Hunter™. These games are primarily intended for use as a learning tool to supplement the biomedical science curriculum in higher education, by intersecting science with engaging game mechanics.

Game Features:
Malaria Invasion is a 3-level game in which players take the role of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium in the blood-stage of infection. Specifically, players play as a Plasmodium merozoite that arose in the bloodstream of an individual that had been bitten by an infected mosquito. 

By intersecting real science, with attractive visuals and animations, and simple gameplay, each game level teaches players about essential aspects of the complex mechanism by which merozoites invade RBCs while evading the immune system:

• Level 1, Circulation: The goal is to identify and infect as many RBCs as possible and not be detected by the immune system.

• Level 2, Attachment: The goal is to attach specific proteins produced by the merozoite to their specific receptors on the RBC.  The successful protein-receptor binding will increase the intracellular calcium needed to proceed with the invasion process.

• Level 3, Invasion: The goal is to develop the tight junctions necessary to engage the actin-myosin motor and drive the merozoite into the RBC.

Learning Goals:
1. Explain the role of the Plasmodium merozoite in the progression of the blood-stage malaria infection.

2. Identify RBCs and their specific cell-surface receptors as the merozoite targets in the post-hepatic stage of the Plasmodium replication cycle.

3. Identify the key Plasmodium organelles involved in RBC invasion and define the function of essential protein ligands they secrete to facilitate invasion.

4. Explain the role of the essential ligand-receptor pairs in the process of RBC invasion by the Plasmodium 

5. Correlate the evasion of the immune system with the progression of the malaria infection during the blood stage of the Plasmodium replication cycle.

6. Identify important metabolic and structural changes involved in the process of Plasmodium merozoite invasion of RBCs.

Credits:
Malaria Invasion was designed and developed by faculty of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Mary Ann Comunale, EdD, MS and Sandra Urdaneta-Hartmann, MD, Ph.D., MBA) at Drexel University College of Medicine, and an undergraduate student from Drexel University’s Game Design Program (John Harvey). Plasmo® was designed based on original artwork by Andrew Bishop, an Animation and Visual Effects student at Drexel University.

Lawrence Bergman, Ph.D., James Burns, Ph.D., ​and Akhil Vaidya, Ph.D., also faculty in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, contributed their expertise on malaria. 

Brian Wigdahl, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Executive Director of the Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease is the Executive Producer of Malaria Invasion.

Funding for this project was provided by the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease. Additional funding was granted by Drexel University’s Office of the Provost and the Steinbright Career Development Center.

## Key features

- Simulates malaria parasite's blood-stage infection
- 3 levels focusing on circulation, attachment, and invasion
- Teaches about merozoite invasion of RBCs
- Illustrates immune system evasion mechanisms
- Uses real science with attractive visuals and animations
- Designed as a supplement for higher education biomedical science

## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/malaria-invasion/id1426466230/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Fun 4 whole family

*2019-04-18, version 2.0.211*

I’ve always wanted to be a merozoite. Game let me live my dream.

### 5/5 — Fun and educational

*2019-03-08, version 2.0.211*

Game does a pretty good job explaining all the stages of “malaria invasion” and is a good mix of challenging and entertaining.

### 5/5 — More please :)

*2019-02-24, version 2.0.211*

Awesome game, DUCOM! Maybe on the next stage, y’all can include the hepatocyte stage and include the Kupffer cell story? 🤟

## Frequently asked questions about Malaria Invasion™

### What is Malaria Invasion?

Malaria Invasion is an educational mobile game developed by Drexel University. It simulates the malaria parasite's invasion of red blood cells, serving as a learning tool for biomedical science students.

### What are the learning goals of Malaria Invasion?

The game aims to help players explain the role of the Plasmodium merozoite in malaria progression, identify RBC targets, understand key organelles and ligands, and correlate immune evasion with infection spread.

### How does Malaria Invasion teach about the infection process?

The game features three levels: Circulation, Attachment, and Invasion. Each level uses real science, attractive visuals, and simple gameplay to explain essential aspects of how merozoites invade RBCs while evading the immune system.

### Is Malaria Invasion suitable for younger players?

Malaria Invasion has an age rating of 12+, making it suitable for teenagers and adults. It is designed to supplement higher education curricula.

### What devices support Malaria Invasion?

Malaria Invasion is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices, offering a broad reach for users within the Apple ecosystem.

### How often is Malaria Invasion updated?

The app was last updated on October 4, 2022, with the latest version being 2.1. This indicates a history of development and maintenance by the Drexel University team.

### Does Malaria Invasion have ads?

No, Malaria Invasion does not contain advertisements. It is a free educational tool designed without commercial interruptions.

### What is the user reception of Malaria Invasion?

Malaria Invasion has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, holding a perfect 5.0-star rating from 4 reviews. This suggests high user satisfaction with its educational content and gameplay.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 2.1 — 2022-10-04

This update brings the game to more modern devices. It comes with slight gameplay improvements and visual upgrades.

### 2.0.211 — 2019-01-19

Updated minimum app requirement to iOS 12.0.
Significantly lowered App Install size.
Reduced lag when loading levels and viewing instructions.
Improved game instructions for easier navigation.

### 1.0 — 2018-10-11

No release notes.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-01.*