Better malaria tests to find infections and brain risks
Official title: Project2: Developing New Diagnostic Tools for the Detection of Plasmodium Infection Across the Spectrum of Disease Severity
Funded at London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine · NIH-11173583 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $72,754 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI181587-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11173583 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
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London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine
London, United Kingdom Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wassmer, Sam — London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- Study coordinator: Wassmer, Sam
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Developing New Diagnostic Tools for Detecting Plasmodium Across Disease Severity
This grant aims to create better tests to detect Plasmodium (malaria) across all stages of illness to help India move toward malaria elimination.
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Identifying why malaria reservoirs persist in Odisha, India
Aimed at understanding why malaria cases stay in Odisha despite control efforts, this project follows people in three districts to find factors that keep the parasite circulating.
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New diagnostic tools to detect malaria across all illness levels
A new project aims to create and validate better tests to detect Plasmodium (malaria) infections in adults in India, including asymptomatic cases.
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Identifying malaria parasite reservoirs in Odisha to help eliminate infections
A large study in Odisha, India will follow thousands of people over several years to understand why malaria infections persist even with current control efforts.
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Administrative Core for the Center for the Study of Complex Malaria in India
A central administrative grant supports day-to-day operations, finances, and coordination for a malaria research center involved in policy-ready work in India and international collaborations.
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Center studying hidden malaria infections in India
A US NIH-funded center is helping India tackle malaria by studying hidden infections, mosquito transmission, and new biomarkers to support elimination efforts.
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.