Understanding how Plasmodium vivax parasites remain dormant in the liver
Official title: Multi-Omics Characterization of Plasmodium Vivax Hypnozoites
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10984982 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how malaria parasites can hide in the liver and come back later, which makes it harder to get rid of malaria, and it aims to find new ways to help create better vaccines and treatments for people affected by this disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | December 22, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $688,160 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI172827-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10984982 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been infected with Plasmodium vivax or are at risk of malaria infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with malaria or who have other types of malaria infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which Plasmodium vivax parasites can stay dormant in the liver, posing a challenge to malaria elimination efforts. By analyzing samples from infected non-human primates and human liver cells, the study employs advanced techniques to explore gene expression, epigenetic changes, and lipid profiles. The goal is to uncover the biological processes that allow these parasites to persist and reactivate, which could lead to new strategies for preventing malaria. Patients may benefit from insights that could inform the development of more effective vaccines and treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved vaccines and therapies for malaria, particularly targeting the dormant stages of the disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding malaria parasites, but this specific approach focusing on dormancy mechanisms is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Serre, David — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Serre, David
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.