Understanding the circadian rhythms of malaria parasites
Elucidating the mechanism for malaria rhythmicity: an underlying circadian clock of the parasite
This study looks at how malaria parasites time their life cycle to match the body's natural clock, which causes fevers in people with malaria, and it aims to understand how things like nutrition and possibly the parasites' own internal clock affect this timing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10833643 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how malaria parasites synchronize their life cycle with the host's biological clock, leading to recurrent fevers in infected individuals. By studying the timing of red blood cell bursting, which coincides with the parasite's cell cycle, the research aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms of this periodicity. The approach includes examining the influence of host nutritional status and exploring the potential existence of a circadian clock within the parasites themselves. This could provide insights into how these parasites regulate their behavior and lifecycle in relation to their environment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals infected with malaria, particularly those experiencing recurrent fevers.
Not a fit: Patients who are not infected with malaria or those with other unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for controlling malaria by disrupting the parasites' rhythmicity.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of circadian rhythms in parasites is being explored, this specific approach to understanding malaria's rhythmicity is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Berkeley, United States
- University of California Berkeley — Berkeley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rijo-Ferreira, Filipa — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Rijo-Ferreira, Filipa
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.