Understanding how malaria parasites use fatty acids for survival
Official title: Profiling malarial lipid biosynthesis and key acyl-coenzyme A synthetase activities with fatty acid alkynes
Funded at Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-11129925 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how malaria parasites use fats from the blood to grow and survive, focusing on two important enzymes that might help them resist treatments, with the hope of finding new ways to fight malaria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | July 2, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $189,916 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI178339-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11129925 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in malaria-endemic regions who may be at risk of malaria infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of malaria or who live in non-endemic regions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the metabolic processes of malaria parasites, specifically how they utilize fatty acids from the host's blood for lipid synthesis. By focusing on two key enzymes, ACS10 and ACS11, the study aims to uncover their roles in fatty acid uptake and how mutations in these enzymes contribute to drug resistance. The researchers will employ a novel technique called 'FA alkyne profiling' to analyze fatty acid uptake and lipid biosynthesis in the malaria parasite, potentially leading to new anti-malarial drug discoveries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new anti-malarial treatments that effectively target the metabolic vulnerabilities of the malaria parasite.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting metabolic pathways in malaria parasites, indicating that this approach could yield significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Klemba, Michael — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Klemba, Michael
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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.