Understanding how past malaria infections affect vaccine responses in children
Official title: Mechanisms of compromised CD8 T cell responses to vaccination in malaria experienced hosts
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11124154 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how having malaria before affects how well kids in malaria-prone areas respond to vaccines, using a mouse model to help understand this better and find ways to make vaccines work better for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | June 24, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $742,107 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI185725-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124154 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old who have experienced malaria infections and live in regions where malaria is common.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have never been exposed to malaria or who are outside the targeted age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how previous malaria infections impact the immune response to vaccines in children living in malaria-endemic regions. By using a mouse model that mimics human malaria infections, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind reduced vaccine efficacy in individuals who have experienced malaria. The researchers will analyze immune responses to a specific type of vaccine that has shown promise in preventing malaria, with the goal of improving vaccine strategies for affected populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective malaria vaccines for children in endemic areas, ultimately reducing malaria incidence and improving health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding immune responses in malaria-experienced individuals can lead to advancements in vaccine development, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harty, John T — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Harty, John T
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Malaria vaccine and infection: how the body’s early and later immune responses relate to protection
Researchers are studying how people’s immune systems respond to the malaria pre-erythrocytic stage, whether after vaccination or infection, to identify which responses are linked to protection.
-
Malaria prevention in Malawi: smarter analysis of transmission and RTS,S vaccination for kids
A large study in Malawi aims to understand how vaccination and mosquito control affect malaria risk in children, with a focus on how and where transmission happens.
-
Why past malaria infections make vaccines work less well
This project is testing ways to improve vaccine-driven CD8 T cell responses in people who have had malaria.
-
Immune responses to an attenuated malaria vaccine
This project looks at how an attenuated Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite vaccine triggers immune cells and antibodies in people with and without prior malaria exposure.
-
Understanding immune responses to malaria vaccination
This study is looking at how the immune system reacts to a malaria vaccine made from weakened parasites, and it's for people who want to help researchers understand what makes the vaccine work better for those who have and haven't had malaria before.
-
Digital malaria surveillance in Ethiopia to improve outbreak detection
A collaboration to add a malaria-specific digital module to an existing surveillance system in Africa to help detect and respond to outbreaks faster.
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.