Investigating how malaria parasites evade the immune system
Official title: Understanding and overcoming Plasmodium-specific immune evasion mechanisms
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11144240 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how malaria parasites trick the immune system in young children, with the goal of finding better ways to make vaccines work for those who have had malaria before.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $80,224 |
| NIH project number | 5F32AI178963-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144240 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under the age of five who are at risk of malaria infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not children or those who have never been exposed to malaria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how Plasmodium parasites, which cause malaria, evade the immune system, particularly in children under five. By examining the immune responses of B cells to specific proteins in the malaria parasite, the study aims to identify why current vaccines are less effective in individuals who have previously been infected. The researchers will use advanced techniques to track and analyze B cell responses during infection and vaccination, which could lead to improved vaccine strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective malaria vaccines, significantly reducing the disease burden in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding immune responses to malaria, but this specific approach to studying immune evasion mechanisms is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdougal, Courtney — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Mcdougal, Courtney
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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.