Finding a key cell part inside the malaria parasite that helps it spread
Functional investigation of a novel and essential subcellular compartment in Plasmodium falciparum transmission stage parasites
Researchers are looking at a newly found internal part of the malaria parasite to find ways to stop it maturing and spreading to other people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11289461 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or your community are affected by malaria, this lab work focuses on a newly discovered parasite protein called PfBLEB that is required for mature transmission-stage parasites. Scientists grow Plasmodium falciparum in human red blood cells, manipulate the parasite's genes to reduce or remove PfBLEB, and use high-resolution microscopy and biochemical tests to observe resulting changes. They study how this subcellular compartment controls parasite shape and the structures needed for gametocytes to survive and infect mosquitoes. Understanding these details could point to targets that block gametocyte maturation and stop transmission.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This is a laboratory project that does not enroll patients; any future clinical work based on these findings would recruit people at risk of or recovering from P. falciparum malaria.
Not a fit: People with other types of malaria (such as P. vivax) or anyone needing immediate clinical care are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic lab research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new ways (drugs or vaccines) to block malaria transmission by preventing parasites from maturing into infectious forms.
How similar studies have performed: Blocking gametocyte development has reduced transmission in laboratory and model systems before, but PfBLEB is newly identified so this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dvorin, Jeffrey D — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Dvorin, Jeffrey D
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.