PTEX protein export and host-cell remodeling in malaria parasite
Official title: PTEX mechanism in malaria parasite effector protein export and host cell subversion
Funded at Iowa State University · NIH-11384462 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher at a university is studying how malaria parasites move proteins into host cells, which could reveal new ways to stop the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $364,908 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL170104-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384462 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable for this basic science project; the study focuses on parasite biology rather than recruiting patients.
✕Less likely to help
There are no direct patient participation components in this basic mechanistic study.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the malaria parasite uses the PTEX machinery to export proteins that alter the host’s red blood cells. The team will examine the roles of EXP2, PTEX150, and HSP101 to understand how proteins are selected and moved across membranes. Cryo-electron microscopy and other methods will help map how the export complex assembles and functions in the parasite and during liver and blood-stage infection. The findings could point to new targets for therapies that interrupt parasite survival and disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new targets for anti-malarial drugs that block parasite protein export and reduce disease severity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked PTEX function to parasite survival, with potential for translating findings into therapies, though full causal mechanisms remain to be clarified.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa State University
Ames, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beck, Josh Ryan — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Beck, Josh Ryan
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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.