Better malaria tests to find infections and brain risks
Project2: Developing New Diagnostic Tools for the Detection of Plasmodium Infection Across the Spectrum of Disease Severity
This project is creating and testing new blood-based diagnostics and eye/brain markers to detect malaria infections and spot adults at risk of brain-related problems in India.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (London, United Kingdom) |
| Project ID | NIH-11173583 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of work that uses computer algorithms to search the malaria parasite’s genes and proteins for better targets, then builds detector molecules that can go on rapid test strips. Those new strips will be tried at field clinics in India and compared with commonly used HRP2 rapid tests, especially where HRP2/3-deleted parasites are common. The project also follows adults with falciparum malaria using blood tests, eye exams, brain scans, and thinking tests over time to identify who develops short- or long-term brain or cognitive problems. The combined approach aims to both catch infections current tests miss and spot early signs of brain injury after malaria.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with suspected or confirmed Plasmodium falciparum infection, especially those seen at participating field sites in India (for example regions like Odisha), would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children under 21, people without malaria, or individuals living outside the participating Indian field clinics are unlikely to take part or benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the new tests and biomarkers could find infections that current rapid tests miss and help identify patients at risk of brain injury so they can get earlier care and follow-up.
How similar studies have performed: Standard HRP2 rapid tests generally work but can fail where parasites lack HRP2/3, and imaging plus plasma biomarkers have shown promise for cerebral malaria, while using deep-learning-chosen protein targets and newly designed test binders is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
London, United Kingdom
- London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine — London, United Kingdom (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wassmer, Sam — London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- Study coordinator: Wassmer, Sam
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.