Epidemiology of complex malaria in Southeast Asia
Official title: Project 1 The epidemiology of complex malaria in Southeast Asia
Funded at Mahidol University · NIH-11398929 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A basic research grant is exploring how malaria spreads in Southeast Asia and how to better diagnose and track it in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mahidol University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nakhon Pathom, Thailand) |
| Project start | June 21, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $382,528 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI181583-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398929 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals in Southeast Asia at risk for malaria, or people in communities where P. knowlesi and other malaria species are present.
✕Less likely to help
People outside Southeast Asia or those not at risk for malaria may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how malaria is transmitted across Southeast Asia, including shifts between parasite types and new factors like land use and zoonotic cases. It aims to find seromarkers for P. knowlesi and develop easier, cheaper tests for malaria detection. The team will study parasite genetics and virulence to understand severe malaria better and improve point-of-care diagnostics for real-world use. The work will involve monitoring human populations and collecting data that could eventually inform public health actions and patient care in the region.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to faster, more accurate malaria tests and better understanding of transmission, helping clinicians diagnose and treat patients sooner.
How similar studies have gone: Previous malaria epidemiology studies have informed control efforts, but this project focuses on complex transmission including P. knowlesi and novel antigens, representing a potentially novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Mahidol University
Nakhon Pathom, Thailand Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nguitragool, Wang — Mahidol University
- Study coordinator: Nguitragool, Wang
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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.