How monkey (primate) malaria spreads to people
Evolutionary Dynamics of Zoonotic Malaria
Researchers will compare genomes of malaria parasites from monkeys and people to find genetic changes that let primate malaria infect humans, focusing on cases in Brazil and parts of Asia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249978 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I live where monkey malaria happens, this project looks at parasite and host genes to understand how infections move between species. Scientists will collect parasite samples from wild primates and from people—especially the Brazilian parasite P. simium—and read their whole genomes. They will combine lab experiments with computer simulations to pinpoint parasite and host factors that enable host switching. The aim is to give public health teams better information to monitor and respond when new malaria strains start infecting people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living in or recently traveling to areas with known zoonotic malaria (for example parts of Brazil or Southeast Asia), or anyone with a recent malaria-like illness willing to provide blood samples, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People far from regions with primate malaria or whose infections are known to be common human-only malaria types are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help public-health teams detect and stop new malaria strains from animals before they cause larger outbreaks in people.
How similar studies have performed: Whole-genome sequencing has helped track human malaria evolution before, but applying these methods specifically to zoonotic primate malaria is relatively new and less proven.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldberg, Amy — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Goldberg, Amy
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.