Starving malaria parasites inside mosquitoes
How to starve a parasite: Manipulating CoA biosynthesis to control Plasmodium development in the mosquito
Researchers are trying to reduce a vitamin-like nutrient in mosquitoes so malaria parasites can't grow and fewer infected mosquitoes reach people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319008 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to push mosquitoes to convert the vitamin pantothenate into coenzyme A so malaria parasites inside them run out of a nutrient they need. The team will screen drug-like compounds called pantazines and test genetic changes that boost the mosquito enzyme PanK. Promising pantazines will be tested for their ability to lower Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium yoelii infections in lab mosquitoes. RNAi and CRISPR methods will be used to confirm that any protective effect is caused specifically by PanK activation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients; it focuses on laboratory experiments in mosquitoes and parasites rather than treating people.
Not a fit: People currently sick with malaria will not receive direct treatment from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce malaria transmission by lowering parasite survival in mosquitoes, potentially leading to fewer human infections.
How similar studies have performed: Targeting the pantothenate/CoA pathway has shown promise in laboratory parasite studies, but using pantazines or genetic changes in mosquitoes is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Riehle, Michael Allen — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Riehle, Michael Allen
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.