Vaccine to block malaria spread by targeting mosquito metabolism
Official title: A vaccine targeting mosquito metabolic pathways to eradicate malaria
Funded at L2 Diagnostics, LLC · NIH-11420559 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A vaccine aimed at blocking malaria transmission by mosquitoes, helping communities where malaria is common.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | L2 Diagnostics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $300,065 |
| NIH project number | 5R41AI195232-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420559 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable; this is a vector-targeted vaccine development project, not a patient-specific trial.
✕Less likely to help
There may be no direct benefit to individuals during early development stages; the impact is population-level.
What this research studies
This grant supports developing a mosquito-transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) that works by targeting mosquito metabolic pathways. The approach uses antibodies from vaccinated people to prevent Plasmodium from completing its life cycle in the mosquito, reducing new infections in communities. The team has shown in animal tests that transmission can be blocked, and they plan to refine the vaccine to focus on the most important targets while preparing for real-world use in malaria-endemic settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the TBV could reduce malaria transmission in communities and complement existing vaccines to help protect people.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in transmission-blocking strategies has shown promise in models, with ongoing efforts to translate to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
L2 Diagnostics, LLC
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chuang, Yu-Min — L2 Diagnostics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Chuang, Yu-Min
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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.