How the malaria parasite uses sugar tags to move its proteins
Protein glycosylation and trafficking in Plasmodium falciparum
This project explores how the malaria parasite adds sugar tags to its proteins and moves them inside infected red blood cells to help people with malaria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11329544 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I or a loved one has malaria, this work looks at how the malaria parasite modifies and ships its proteins while growing inside red blood cells. Scientists grow and manipulate Plasmodium falciparum in the lab and use molecular tools, biochemical assays, and microscopy to find sugar attachments on parasite proteins and trace their paths. They compare parasite protein processing to what is known in other eukaryotes to find differences the parasite relies on. Understanding these pathways could point to weak spots in the parasite that new drugs or vaccines might target.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients, but people with P. falciparum malaria could be candidates for future studies or sample donations based on these findings.
Not a fit: People without P. falciparum infection (for example, infections with other malaria species) or those needing urgent clinical care are unlikely to benefit directly from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could identify new drug or vaccine targets against P. falciparum that help prevent or treat malaria.
How similar studies have performed: Glycosylation pathways are well-studied in other organisms and have led to therapeutic insights, but applying this work to P. falciparum is relatively novel and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Athens, United States
- University of Georgia — Athens, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muralidharan, Vasant — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Muralidharan, Vasant
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.