Genetic reasons why malaria in Africa is becoming resistant to key drugs
The genetic basis of emerging multidrug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum African malaria
Researchers are looking at genetic changes in Plasmodium falciparum from East Africa to understand why common treatments like Coartem sometimes stop working for patients there.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11253311 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, scientists will collect malaria parasites from people in East Africa and read their genetic code to find changes linked to drug failure. They will use laboratory tests and gene-editing tools to see which mutations let parasites survive artemisinin and lumefantrine. The team will also measure how those changes affect parasite growth and the chance they spread to other people. Results will link specific parasite genes to treatment failure and transmission risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people in affected East African regions (for example Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia) who have falciparum malaria and are willing to provide blood samples for parasite testing.
Not a fit: Patients with non-falciparum malaria, people who cannot provide blood samples, or individuals outside the affected regions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help health authorities choose more effective treatments and slow the spread of drug-resistant malaria in affected regions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked K13 gene mutations to artemisinin resistance but have shown resistance is genetically complex, so this work builds on and extends recent genetic and lab findings.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mok, Sachel — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Mok, Sachel
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.