How Babesia parasites change red blood cells
Official title: Structural and Functional Alteration of host RBCs by Babesia
Funded at New York Blood Center · NIH-11054221 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how Babesia parasites, which are spread by ticks and can make people and animals sick, change red blood cells, and it aims to find out which specific proteins from the parasites are involved in these changes to help us understand the disease better and find new ways to treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York Blood Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | December 13, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $134,730 |
| NIH project number | 1K99AI182422-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054221 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have been diagnosed with babesiosis or are at high risk for severe disease due to compromised immune systems.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have babesiosis or are not at risk for severe complications from the infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how Babesia parasites, which are transmitted by ticks and cause disease in humans and animals, alter the structure and function of red blood cells (RBCs). The study aims to identify specific proteins from the Babesia parasites that interact with RBCs, leading to significant changes in their properties. By using advanced techniques like image flow cytometry and machine learning, the research will analyze the morphological and functional alterations in infected RBCs. Understanding these changes could provide insights into the disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients suffering from babesiosis, particularly those who are immunocompromised.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding similar parasite-host interactions, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful discoveries.
Where this research is happening
-
New York Blood Center
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beri, Divya — New York Blood Center
- Study coordinator: Beri, Divya
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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.