How malaria parasites keep their apicoplast, a vital internal part, working
Determinants of apicoplast maintenance in malaria parasites
Researchers are figuring out which parasite proteins keep a tiny but essential organelle (the apicoplast) working so new malaria medicines can be discovered for people with malaria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319778 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This lab project uses engineered malaria parasites that can survive when the apicoplast is disrupted, allowing scientists to turn off or relocate individual parasite proteins to see which ones are essential. The team built a metabolic bypass using a four-enzyme mevalonate pathway to provide key isoprenoid precursors so parasites survive apicoplast loss while specific genes are tested. They will apply genetic knockdown, conditional localization, and DiCre recombinase tools to define protein function and the resulting parasite defects. The goal is to map the metabolic and non-metabolic processes the apicoplast needs and produce validated targets for future drug development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Although this is lab-based work with no current patient enrollment, people with malaria are the ultimate beneficiaries and may be candidates for future clinical trials based on findings from this research.
Not a fit: This project will not provide direct clinical benefit or immediate treatment options to patients who need urgent care right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new parasite-specific drug targets that lead to treatments that kill malaria parasites and slow drug resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using IPP rescue and limited genetic tools have shown this metabolic bypass approach can reveal apicoplast functions, but this comprehensive, genome-wide application is more extensive and relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prigge, Sean Taylor — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Prigge, Sean Taylor
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.