Developing New Diagnostic Tools for Detecting Plasmodium Across Disease Severity
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-11520932 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to create better tests to detect Plasmodium (malaria) across all stages of illness to help India move toward malaria elimination.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $32,479 |
| NIH project number | 3U19AI181587-03S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11520932 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older in malaria-endemic districts of India who are participants in the cohort sub-study and consent to monthly sampling.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not exposed to malaria or who choose not to participate in the cohort may not benefit from these diagnostic advances.
What this research studies
This project focuses on developing and validating new diagnostic biomarkers and bead-based assays to detect malaria infections, including asymptomatic cases, in India. A prospective cohort within an existing study will enroll participants monthly in select villages, collecting samples over 13 visits. The team will measure anti-Plasmodium antibodies and parasite biomarkers to track transmission and identify who may carry gametocytes, and will explore host- and parasite-derived biomarkers to detect infections over time and during clinical episodes. The ultimate goal is to provide reliable, user-friendly tools for accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and transmission monitoring in malaria elimination efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive faster and more accurate malaria diagnoses, improving treatment decisions and helping communities reduce transmission.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that biomarker-based and bead-based assays can improve malaria detection, but this project aims to advance toward practical, field-ready tools.
Where this research is happening
-
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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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.
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Center studying hidden malaria infections in India
A national effort in India to understand why malaria persists by studying infections that are hard to detect and how to improve control strategies.
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.