How malaria parasites recycle damaged proteins to survive artemisinin
Proteostasis in Plasmodium falciparum artemisinin resistance
Researchers are trying to block the malaria parasite’s protein-recycling machinery to help artemisinin drugs work better for people with drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11234241 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team grows Plasmodium falciparum parasites in the lab and compares strains that carry kelch13 and proteasome-related mutations linked to artemisinin resistance. They use genetic approaches and chemical proteasome inhibitors to see whether blocking the parasite proteasome makes artemisinin more effective. The researchers will identify parasite proteins that are chemically modified by artemisinin and test whether those damaged proteins are tagged for degradation. This work is lab-based using parasite samples and molecular analyses rather than a trial treating patients directly.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People infected with Plasmodium falciparum, especially infections showing artemisinin resistance or linked to kelch13 mutations, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People without falciparum malaria, infected with other malaria species, or whose infections are already cured by existing treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to drug combinations that restore artemisinin effectiveness against resistant malaria.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory studies have shown proteasome inhibitors can kill artemisinin-resistant parasites and act synergistically with artemisinin, but translating this into patient treatments remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Omaha, United States
- University of Nebraska Medical Center — Omaha, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ng, Caroline L — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ng, Caroline L
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.