a library of approximately 2000 small molecules biased toward inhibition of histone deacetylases was assayed for antimalarial activity in a high - throughput p. falciparum viability assay . 
 active compounds were cross - analyzed for induction of histone hyperacetylation in a human myeloma cell line to identify hdac inhibitors with selectivity for p. falciparum over the human host . to verify on - target selectivity , pfhdac-1 was expressed and purified and a biochemical assay for pfhdac-1 activity was established .