How P. vivax parasites and human liver cells make and keep dormant hypnozoites
Parasite and host cell factors involved in the formation and persistence of Plasmodium vivax hypnozoites
Learning how P. vivax parasites and human liver cells create and keep dormant liver stages (hypnozoites) to help people at risk of relapsing malaria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11260213 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team uses mice that carry human liver cells and lab-grown human liver cells to observe how P. vivax forms and remains dormant in the liver. They use a standardized P. vivax Chesson strain so infections are consistent rather than relying on variable field isolates. Researchers will change parasite genes and host liver-cell factors and run genetic and molecular tests to pinpoint what controls hypnozoite formation, persistence, and activation. The goal is to find vulnerabilities that could lead to new drugs or prevention strategies to stop relapsing infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had P. vivax malaria, suffer relapses, or live in areas where P. vivax is common would be most relevant for future clinical studies or for donating samples to related efforts.
Not a fit: People without exposure to P. vivax or those needing immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify targets for drugs or interventions that prevent relapsing P. vivax malaria by blocking hypnozoite formation or activation.
How similar studies have performed: Recent development of human liver-chimeric mouse models and primary hepatocyte infection systems has made hypnozoite research possible, so this project builds on promising but still-evolving methods rather than on established cures.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Seattle Children's Hospital — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kappe, Stefan Hi — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kappe, Stefan Hi
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.