Reducing the adhesion of infected red blood cells in malaria
Official title: Mitigation of erythrocyte adhesion in human malaria
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-11135437 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how malaria-infected red blood cells stick to blood vessels in young children in Africa, and it’s testing a way to block a specific protein that helps them stick, which could help make the disease less severe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 9, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $206,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI186378-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11135437 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old who are infected with malaria, particularly in regions of Africa where the disease is prevalent.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with malaria or are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how infected red blood cells (iRBCs) adhere to blood vessel walls in malaria, particularly in young children in Africa. The team is exploring a specific protein that helps these iRBCs stick to blood vessels, which can lead to severe complications like cerebral malaria. By disrupting the structure of this protein, they aim to prevent the iRBCs from adhering, potentially reducing the severity of the disease. The approach involves laboratory techniques to manipulate and study these proteins in detail.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly reduce the severity and mortality of malaria in affected children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting similar adhesion mechanisms in malaria, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chishti, Athar H. — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Chishti, Athar H.
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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.