Tracking real-time drug resistance in malaria in Africa
Official title: Real-time drug resistance emergence and spread in Africa
Funded at University of Notre Dame · NIH-11355544 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will map the genetic changes that drive artemisinin resistance in malaria parasites to understand why resistant strains spread in Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Notre Dame NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Notre Dame, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2017 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $536,034 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AI127338-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11355544 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals and communities affected by malaria in Africa where drug-resistant infections may arise and be studied through collaborative surveillance.
✕Less likely to help
Direct clinical benefits to individual patients may be limited in the short term while methods and findings are translated into practice.
What this research studies
This project uses advanced genetic crossing and sequencing methods to locate the genes and mutations that cause drug resistance in malaria parasites. By partnering with African researchers, it aims to map resistance traits through experimental crosses and robust genetic analyses, including bulk segregant analysis and clone-based QTL mapping. The work focuses on how different Kelch13 mutations behave in varied African settings and how these changes affect treatment effectiveness. The ultimate goal is to inform surveillance and guide faster responses to emerging resistance, improving patient outcomes across the region.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to faster detection of resistance and better strategies to preserve the effectiveness of anti-malarial drugs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that genetic mapping can identify resistance genes, though the rapid spread of ART resistance in Africa makes this work particularly timely and valuable.
Where this research is happening
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University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ferdig, Michael T — University of Notre Dame
- Study coordinator: Ferdig, Michael T
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.