Understanding how Plasmodium vivax invades blood cells in people without Duffy antigens
Official title: Investigating the molecular mechanisms of Plasmodium vivax invasion in Duffy-negative hosts
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11071945 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how the malaria parasite can still infect red blood cells in people who don't have a specific protein that was thought to protect against it, and it aims to find new ways to stop this infection, especially for those in Africa where this type of malaria is on the rise.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $40,518 |
| NIH project number | 5F30AI183592-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11071945 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in Africa who are Duffy-negative and at risk of malaria infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Duffy-negative or who do not reside in areas where P. vivax is prevalent may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax can invade red blood cells in individuals who lack the Duffy antigen, which was previously thought to prevent infection. By using advanced techniques such as single cell RNA sequencing and in vitro models, the study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms that allow this invasion to occur. The research will also explore the use of monoclonal antibodies to block this invasion, providing insights into potential therapeutic strategies. This work is particularly important as P. vivax is becoming more prevalent in Africa, where many people are Duffy-negative.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for malaria that are effective in Duffy-negative populations.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on P. vivax, this specific investigation into Duffy-negative invasion pathways is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Connelly, Sean — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Connelly, Sean
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.