Understanding how malaria parasites sense and respond to their environment
Official title: Linking metabolite sensing and gene expression in malaria parasites
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-10738297 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how malaria parasites sense changes in their surroundings, especially the levels of a substance called lactate, and how this affects their growth and ability to cause illness, which could help find new ways to treat malaria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | November 9, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $239,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI168806-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10738297 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals infected with malaria, particularly those experiencing severe symptoms related to lactic acidosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with malaria or those with mild cases that do not progress to severe symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how malaria parasites, specifically Plasmodium falciparum, detect changes in their metabolic environment, particularly lactate levels, and how this affects their gene expression. By studying the relationship between lactate accumulation and parasite behavior, the research aims to uncover mechanisms that influence parasite growth and virulence. The approach includes in vitro experiments to observe how variations in lactate impact the parasites' life cycle and their ability to cause severe disease. This could lead to new insights into malaria pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for malaria by targeting the metabolic pathways of the parasites.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding metabolic responses in parasites, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duraisingh, Manoj T — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Duraisingh, Manoj T
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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.