How immune cells fight malaria infections in young children
Official title: Regulation of macrophage function during acute infection with Plasmodium
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-11096090 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how certain immune cells in young children fight off malaria infections, aiming to learn more about their early response to the malaria parasite so we can find better ways to treat or prevent the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $185,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI180630-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11096090 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are at risk of malaria infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not children or those who do not live in malaria-endemic regions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific immune cells, particularly macrophages, respond to malaria infections in young children. It focuses on understanding the early immune response to the Plasmodium parasite, which causes malaria, and how certain transcription factors influence the activity of these immune cells. By studying the interactions between these cells and the parasite, the research aims to uncover new insights that could lead to improved treatments or preventive measures against malaria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better strategies for preventing and treating malaria in young children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses to malaria, but this specific focus on transcription factors in macrophages is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stumhofer, Jason S — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Stumhofer, Jason S
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.