Understanding how the immune system fights liver-stage malaria
Immunity to Liver-stage malaria
This study is looking at how to help the immune system, especially a type of immune cell called CD8 T cells, learn to fight off liver-stage malaria, with the goal of creating better vaccines to protect young children in sub-Saharan Africa from this disease.
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 ID | NIH-11164918 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how the immune system, particularly CD8 T cells, can be trained to combat liver-stage malaria caused by Plasmodium species. The team has been studying the immune response to malaria for over a decade, focusing on how specific immunizations can generate memory T cells that effectively protect against malaria infections. By exploring different immunization strategies, the research aims to identify ways to enhance the immune response and develop effective vaccines for malaria, particularly for young children in sub-Saharan Africa.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old living in sub-Saharan Africa who are at risk of malaria.
Not a fit: Patients who are older than 11 years or those living outside of sub-Saharan Africa may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of effective vaccines that significantly reduce malaria infections and fatalities in children.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in developing immune responses against malaria, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harty, John T — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Harty, John T
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 below.