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-11551801 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how Plasmodium vivax may escape immune responses by increasing copies of the PvDBP gene, which could affect how well future treatments work for people exposed to malaria.
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) | $63,525 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AI173171-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11551801 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with Plasmodium vivax infection or exposure in Cambodia or Ethiopia, and participants in ongoing clinical cohorts with available samples.
✕Less likely to help
People without malaria exposure or infection are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project examines how extra copies of the PvDBP gene in Plasmodium vivax impact parasite invasion, patient immunity, and disease severity. Using blood samples from people in Cambodia and Ethiopia, researchers will track changes over time and apply advanced sequencing and cell-analysis techniques to understand the underlying biology. The work combines clinical data, laboratory experiments, and patient-derived samples to inform development of better malaria therapies. The study is led by researchers from the United States and Cambodia to strengthen global health security in malaria-endemic regions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide the design of next-generation therapies and vaccines against Plasmodium vivax malaria and improve preparedness for imported infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that gene copy number can influence immune evasion in malaria parasites, but this study extends understanding to PvDBP amplification in real-world cohorts.
Where this research is happening
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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.