How proteins on red blood cells help malaria parasites get inside
Elucidating the functions of red blood cell factors in malaria parasite invasion
Researchers will edit human blood stem cells and grow lab-made red blood cells to see how two proteins, CD44 and CD55, affect Plasmodium falciparum entering red blood cells, with the goal of finding new ways to prevent severe malaria for people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124794 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project creates human red blood cells in the lab by editing hematopoietic stem cells with CRISPR-Cas9 so the cells lack specific proteins. Scientists will focus on two red blood cell proteins, CD44 and CD55, that were flagged by earlier genetic screens as important for malaria parasite entry. The lab-grown red blood cells will be exposed to Plasmodium falciparum to observe how parasite invasion changes when each protein is missing. The work is bench research done at Stanford but uses human-derived cells, and findings could point to new targets for drugs or vaccines.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Although this is lab-based and does not enroll patients, people affected by or at high risk for malaria—especially children and pregnant women—are the ultimate beneficiaries of the findings and could be future candidates for related clinical trials.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment for malaria will not directly benefit because this project focuses on basic lab research rather than providing clinical care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new targets on red blood cells for drugs or vaccines that reduce severe malaria infections.
How similar studies have performed: Researchers have previously used CRISPR-edited cultured red blood cells and genetic screens to study malaria entry in the lab, but translating those lab findings into effective human treatments remains early and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Egan, Elizabeth S. — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Egan, Elizabeth 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 below.