Understanding immunity to protect pregnancies from malaria
Official title: Determining the key features of immunity associated with protection against pregnancy associated malaria
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11352328 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how antibodies against malaria protect pregnant women and how a vaccine could boost this protection for women in malaria-prone areas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $201,744 |
| NIH project number | 1K08AI199115-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11352328 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant women or women planning pregnancy in malaria-endemic regions who may benefit from future vaccines or immunotherapies.
✕Less likely to help
Women not at risk of malaria exposure or those not participating in immunological studies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant looks at how the immune system’s antibodies against the VAR2CSA protein can prevent placental malaria and improve pregnancy outcomes. The work builds a detailed map of antibody responses across diverse VAR2CSA variants to guide a more broadly protective vaccine. Using advanced sequencing and computer tools, the team will connect antibody features to protection against adverse outcomes like low birth weight and preterm birth. The goal is to translate these findings into a vaccine strategy that works for women in Africa where malaria poses the greatest risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to a vaccine or immune-based strategy that reduces malaria-related pregnancy complications and improves birth outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows antibodies to VAR2CSA can correlate with better birth outcomes, but vaccine coverage against diverse parasite variants is still challenging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hathaway, Nicholas — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Hathaway, Nicholas
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving newborn health with rapid malaria testing in pregnancy in Africa
A funded project will test high-sensitivity malaria rapid tests to help manage malaria in pregnant people in Africa, aiming to reduce infant deaths and improve newborn health.
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Improving neonatal health with rapid malaria testing in early pregnancy
A study tests a high-sensitivity malaria test in pregnant people to help protect newborns in Africa.
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Rapid malaria testing in early pregnancy to protect newborn health
A Duke University-led project will test high-sensitivity malaria tests in the first trimester to help keep mothers and babies healthier in Africa.
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Household malaria treatment to protect pregnant women
This project gives malaria medicine to people who live with pregnant women to lower the risk of malaria for the mother and her unborn baby.
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How HIV and malaria together weaken immune defenses during pregnancy
Researchers are looking at how an HIV-like infection and malaria during pregnancy change immune cells in pregnant monkeys to learn ways to better protect mothers and their babies.
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Understanding immune system issues in pregnant women with HIV and malaria
This study looks at how having both HIV and malaria affects the immune system of pregnant women, using pregnant monkeys to learn more about the problems that can arise during pregnancy, with the hope of finding better ways to help mothers and their babies stay healthy.
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.