Growing the malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax in a lab setting
Official title: Continuous in vitro culture and genetics of Plasmodium vivax in a bespoke blood cell bioreactor
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11024040 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to grow the malaria parasite in the lab, which will help scientists learn more about how it behaves and how to create better treatments, especially by using special red blood cells that the parasite can easily infect.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 7, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $406,450 |
| NIH project number | 1R61AI187114-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11024040 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals affected by malaria, particularly those infected with Plasmodium vivax.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with malaria or those with other types of malaria, such as Plasmodium falciparum, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a continuous culture system for the malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax, which is crucial for understanding its biology and developing effective treatments. By using a specialized bioreactor, the researchers will create conditions that mimic the natural environment of the parasite, allowing for better study of its growth and interactions with red blood cells. The project will also involve engineering stem cells to produce red blood cells that are more susceptible to infection, enhancing the understanding of how the parasite invades and survives in the human body.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments and vaccines for malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in developing culture systems for different malaria parasites, but this specific approach for Plasmodium vivax is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duraisingh, Manoj T — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Duraisingh, Manoj T
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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.