Understanding how malaria immunity develops after infection
Official title: Once Bitten: Acquisition of Malaria Adaptive Immunity (OBAMA - Immunity)
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10889259 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how people build immunity to malaria after getting infected several times, aiming to find better ways to create vaccines that can protect against different types of the malaria parasite.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | July 17, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,206,058 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI179141-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10889259 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in malaria-endemic regions who have been exposed to Plasmodium falciparum.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have never been exposed to malaria or those living in non-endemic regions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how individuals develop immunity to malaria after being infected multiple times. It focuses on the immune responses to the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, particularly how these responses can protect against various strains of the parasite. By studying the diversity of antigens that trigger immune responses, the research aims to identify ways to create more effective malaria vaccines that provide broader protection. The approach includes analyzing immune responses in populations naturally exposed to malaria to uncover mechanisms of strain-transcendent immunity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of a highly effective malaria vaccine that provides broad protection against multiple strains of the parasite.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding immune responses to malaria, but this approach aims to explore novel mechanisms of immunity that have not been fully tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prudhommeomeara, Wendy — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Prudhommeomeara, Wendy
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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.