How the malaria parasite splits to make new infectious cells
Spatial, temporal, and functional study of the basal complex in Plasmodium falciparum
Researchers are uncovering how the malaria parasite divides inside red blood cells to help people—especially children and pregnant women—who get severe malaria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11259584 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, scientists are looking at the parasite structures that control how it makes many new copies inside red blood cells. They will grow Plasmodium falciparum in the lab, use advanced microscopy and protein-tracking tools to map where and when key components assemble, and test how disrupting those parts affects division. Much of the work focuses on two parasite-specific machines called the inner membrane complex and the basal complex that are essential for making infectious daughter parasites. By pinpointing parasite-only proteins and steps, the team hopes to reveal weak spots that future drugs could target.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People infected with Plasmodium falciparum—often children and pregnant women in high-risk areas—would be the most relevant candidates for donating blood samples or for future related trials.
Not a fit: People without malaria or those infected with other, non-falciparum malaria species are unlikely to see direct benefits from this specific lab-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug targets that stop parasites from multiplying in the blood and reduce severe malaria cases.
How similar studies have performed: Prior basic studies have found parasite-specific division proteins and led to early drug discovery efforts, but detailed mapping of the basal complex in P. falciparum remains relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dvorin, Jeffrey D — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Dvorin, Jeffrey D
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.