Role of liquid-liquid phase separation in malaria parasite gene control
Official title: Revealing the Role of Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in Plasmodium falciparum Transcriptional Regulation
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-11454554 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how a natural cellular process in the malaria parasite might control which genes are turned on, with the aim of finding new ways to fight malaria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | August 6, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $196,625 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI193904-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11454554 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with malaria or populations at risk for malaria could benefit from future therapies derived from this research.
✕Less likely to help
This basic science grant does not involve direct patient participation or current clinical treatment changes.
What this research studies
Malaria remains a major global health problem, especially for children. This study focuses on Plasmodium falciparum and investigates how special protein regions rich in amino acids may form liquid-like droplets inside cells to regulate gene activity. By exploring the link between these droplets and parasite transcription, the research aims to identify new drug targets that could overcome resistance to current therapies. The approach combines biology and biochemical assays to understand how parasite-specific processes control gene expression. Results could guide the development of novel treatments that disable essential parasite functions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new drug targets in malaria parasites and help guide the development of therapies less prone to resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research on LLPS in other organisms shows potential for regulating gene activity, suggesting this approach could yield actionable insights for malaria.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Llinas, Manuel — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Llinas, Manuel
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.