Understanding how malaria parasites evade the immune system through gene changes
Official title: Extent, dynamics and mechanisms of Plasmodium vivax immune evasion caused by PvDBP gene amplification
Funded at Institut Pasteur Du Cambodge · NIH-10889272 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the malaria parasite, Plasmodium vivax, manages to hide from our immune system and how changes in a specific gene might affect the success of treatments using human antibodies, with the goal of helping to create better vaccines for malaria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Institut Pasteur Du Cambodge NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA) |
| Project start | July 17, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $549,692 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI173171-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10889272 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living in malaria-endemic regions, particularly those in Cambodia, who may be affected by Plasmodium vivax infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in malaria-endemic areas or those who are not infected with Plasmodium vivax may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the immune evasion mechanisms of Plasmodium vivax malaria parasites, focusing on the PvDBP gene, which is crucial for the parasite's ability to invade red blood cells. The study aims to assess how variations in this gene affect the effectiveness of human monoclonal antibodies designed to neutralize the parasite. By analyzing samples from Cambodia, the research will explore the relationship between gene amplification in the parasite and genetic variations in the human population that may influence susceptibility to malaria. This work is essential for developing effective blood-stage vaccines against malaria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective malaria vaccines that can overcome the parasite's immune evasion strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing vaccines targeting Plasmodium vivax, but the specific approach of addressing gene amplification and immune evasion mechanisms is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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Institut Pasteur Du Cambodge
Phnom Penh, Cambodia Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Popovici, Jean — Institut Pasteur Du Cambodge
- Study coordinator: Popovici, Jean
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how PvDBP gene copies help malaria parasites dodge antibodies
Researchers are studying how Plasmodium vivax may escape immune responses by increasing copies of the PvDBP gene, which could affect how well future treatments work for people exposed to malaria.
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Understanding how PvDBP gene copies help malaria parasites dodge antibodies
A study to learn how Plasmodium vivax with extra PvDBP copies escapes the body’s antibodies, with findings helping travelers, military personnel, and communities at risk.
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Why some people are naturally protected from Plasmodium vivax malaria
Researchers are comparing genes and immune responses of people in Cambodia who do or do not get symptomatic Plasmodium vivax malaria to find what helps protect them.
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Growing Plasmodium vivax in the lab to speed better treatments
Working to grow Plasmodium vivax parasites in laboratory conditions to help people living where vivax malaria is common by enabling faster drug and test development.
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Why some vivax malaria parasites copy a vaccine target to escape immunity
This work looks at whether extra copies of the PvDBP gene allow Plasmodium vivax parasites to dodge antibodies and reduce protection from blood-stage vaccines for people in areas with vivax malaria.
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Identifying adaptable strains of the malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax.
This study is working on a new way to grow the malaria parasite that causes illness, so researchers can better understand it and find more effective treatments, and it's especially for people in Cambodia who are affected by malaria.
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.