Finding new drug targets to fight malaria resistance
Official title: Discovering resistance-resistant antimalarial drug target
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-10874764 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how malaria parasites become resistant to current treatments so that researchers can find new ways to fight the disease and develop better medicines for people affected by malaria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | June 23, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $200,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI174085-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10874764 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children and young individuals aged 0-21 who are at risk of malaria infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by malaria or those who are older than 21 may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how malaria parasites develop resistance to current antimalarial drugs. By studying the metabolic changes in these resistant parasites, researchers aim to identify new vulnerabilities that can be targeted with innovative drug therapies. The approach involves detailed biochemical analysis of both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, to uncover potential new treatment options. This could lead to the development of more effective antimalarial drugs that are less likely to encounter resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the creation of new antimalarial drugs that are effective against resistant strains of malaria.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in resistant malaria parasites is innovative, similar strategies in drug discovery have shown promise in other infectious diseases.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Llinas, Manuel — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Llinas, Manuel
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.