Developing methods to grow malaria parasites in the lab for better treatments
Official title: Establishing strains and conditions for long-term P. vivax cultures
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-11023444 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to grow the malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax in the lab so that researchers can learn more about it and find better treatments for malaria, especially for people outside of Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | December 6, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $392,710 |
| NIH project number | 1R61AI187112-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11023444 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals affected by malaria, particularly those with P. vivax infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with malaria caused by other species of Plasmodium, such as P. falciparum, may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on establishing a reliable system to culture Plasmodium vivax, a malaria parasite responsible for many cases outside Africa. By creating a continuous culture system, researchers aim to study the biology of the parasite, which is crucial for developing new therapies. The project will explore how to generate gametocytes, the sexual stage of the parasite, in vitro, which is essential for understanding its lifecycle and finding effective treatments. The research addresses significant challenges in culturing the parasite, such as its preference for specific red blood cells and low growth rates.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new and effective treatments for malaria caused by P. vivax.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research with related malaria parasites has shown promise in developing culture systems, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Joyner, Chester J. — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Joyner, Chester J.
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.