Understanding how PvDBP gene copies help malaria parasites dodge antibodies
Official title: Extent, dynamics and mechanisms of Plasmodium vivax immune evasion caused by PvDBP gene amplification
Funded at Institut Pasteur Du Cambodge · NIH-11413423 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to learn how Plasmodium vivax with extra PvDBP copies escapes the body’s antibodies, with findings helping travelers, military personnel, and communities at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Institut Pasteur Du Cambodge NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA) |
| Project start | July 17, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $537,248 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI173171-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413423 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants include individuals in malaria-endemic areas, particularly adults and children who are infected with Plasmodium vivax or contribute samples for longitudinal studies.
✕Less likely to help
Participants not infected with Pv or whose samples do not show PvDBP amplification may not directly benefit from the study outcomes.
What this research studies
This project will examine how amplification of the PvDBP gene affects parasite invasion of red blood cells and the immune response, using clinical samples from Cambodia and Ethiopia. Researchers will apply long-read sequencing, transcriptomics, flow cytometry, and P. knowlesi models to uncover the mechanisms behind immune evasion. The work aims to map how these gene copies influence disease severity and immunity over time in affected individuals. By understanding these pathways, the study hopes to inform the development of next-generation malaria therapies and improve global health security.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to more effective malaria treatments and vaccines, reducing illness in people traveling or deployed in malaria-endemic regions.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown that PvDBP amplification can alter antibody sensitivity, but this project advances understanding with longitudinal data and modern molecular tools.
Where this research is happening
-
Institut Pasteur Du Cambodge
Phnom Penh, Cambodia Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Popovici, Jean — Institut Pasteur Du Cambodge
- Study coordinator: Popovici, Jean
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.