How helper T cells respond to malaria parasites
Regulation of Plasmodium-specific CD4+ T cells
Researchers are looking at how a type of immune cell called CD4+ helper T cells reacts to malaria parasites to help people affected by malaria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11259522 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies how malaria parasites interact with the immune system's helper T cells using advanced cellular and genetic tools. Researchers track parasite-specific CD4+ T cells at high resolution and examine how parasite molecules change antigen-presenting cells and the way T cells are primed. The goal is to understand why strong, long-lasting antibody protection rarely develops after infection and to find immune features that could be improved by vaccines or therapies. Much of the work is lab-based but is aimed at questions directly relevant to human malaria.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a history of malaria, those at risk of malaria exposure, or individuals willing to donate blood or tissue samples for immune studies would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People with illnesses unrelated to malaria or those unable or unwilling to provide samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help guide the design of better vaccines or immune therapies that produce stronger, longer-lasting protection against malaria.
How similar studies have performed: Previous immunology research has clarified CD4+ T cell roles in malaria but has rarely achieved sterilizing immunity, and this project applies newer high-resolution methods to fill remaining gaps.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Butler, Noah Sullivan — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Butler, Noah Sullivan
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.