Persistent asymptomatic Plasmodium carriage results in the continuous production of the transmissible sexual stage parasites (gametocytes), which in the presence of competent Anopheles vectors results in the endless spread of malaria. A thorough understanding of the human infectious reservoir and of the gametocyte formation is essential for developing interventions to be targeted to individuals who are most important for the transmission of infection to mosquitoes. The successful completion of the sporogonic life cycle of the parasite within the mosquito sustains malaria transmission. Mosquito saliva is known to generally increase the transmission of pathogens from the mosquito vector to the human host, however little is known about the role played by components of mosquito saliva in the transmission of Plasmodium to humans. We intend to adapt our novel ex vivo gametocyte conversion rate (GCR) assay to determine whether mosquito salivary gland extract directly or indirectly alter GCR and or gametocyte infectiousness to the mosquito. We also intend to use a natural field-based longitudinal study to identify how changes in mosquito biting rates alter gametocyte infectiousness and GCR. We will be following a cohort of adults and children to identify which age range are more at risk of serving as reservoirs for malaria transmission in Ghana as well as identify which season would be ideal to implement transmission blocking interventions