Uncovering malaria parasite proteins that hide in liver cells
Official title: Identifying Plasmodium Liver-Stage Secreted Effector Proteins
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-11455061 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for Plasmodium proteins that get into liver cells to help the parasite survive, using advanced methods to map where these proteins go.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $190,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI196824-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11455061 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with malaria exposure or interest in malaria research may benefit indirectly once targets are validated, but this is a basic science project not a direct patient intervention.
✕Less likely to help
There is no immediate treatment or clinical trial component for patients in this grant.
What this research studies
In people, malaria starts when parasites reach the liver and then move to the blood. This study will map the Plasmodium proteins that the parasite exports into liver cells, using proximity labeling and mass spectrometry. It also plans to confirm where these proteins go inside cells and to tag them with CRISPR to study their roles. The goal is to identify candidates that help the parasite evade the immune system and reshape the host cell.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new targets for vaccines or therapies that block parasite evasion in the liver.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts have started mapping parasite proteins, and this study aims to expand the liver-stage secretome with higher sensitivity.
Where this research is happening
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University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rozenberg, Alexander — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Rozenberg, Alexander
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.