Understanding how vaccines work in protecting African children from malaria

Systems biological assessment of vaccination-induced protective immunity in African children

NIH-funded research Stanford University · NIH-11062380

This study is looking at how young children in Malawi respond to the RTS,S malaria vaccine to see if we can find clues that help us understand how well it works and how long it keeps them safe from malaria.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project IDNIH-11062380 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the immune responses of young children in Africa to the RTS,S malaria vaccine, which has shown limited effectiveness. By analyzing blood samples and using advanced computational models, the study aims to identify biological markers that predict how well the vaccine works and how long its protection lasts. The research will focus on children aged 0-11 years in Malawi, leveraging a collaboration with local health initiatives to gather comprehensive data on vaccine responses over time.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are receiving the RTS,S malaria vaccine in Malawi.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 11 years or those who are not receiving the RTS,S vaccine may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved malaria vaccine strategies that enhance protection for children in Africa.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding vaccine responses through similar biological and computational approaches, indicating potential for success in this study.

Where this research is happening

Stanford, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.