Vaccine to stop mosquitoes from spreading malaria
Species-transcending prevention of mosquito vector infection
This project tests a vaccine approach that aims to stop malaria parasites from developing inside mosquitoes so fewer people — especially children in affected areas — get malaria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11231742 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is developing vaccines that teach the immune system to make antibodies against mosquito-stage parasite proteins called HAP2 and HAP2p. Those antibodies are intended to prevent parasites from infecting mosquitoes when they bite an infected person, breaking the transmission cycle. Researchers will use laboratory experiments and animal models to measure antibody activity and transmission-reducing effects and to refine vaccine candidates. If the preclinical work is successful, the approach could move toward testing in people living in malaria-endemic communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future human testing would be people living in malaria-endemic regions, particularly children and families at high risk of mosquito exposure.
Not a fit: People who live outside malaria-endemic areas or those with an active severe malaria infection would not directly benefit from a transmission-blocking vaccine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower malaria transmission in communities and help protect children and other at-risk people in endemic areas.
How similar studies have performed: Transmission-blocking vaccines have shown promising antibody activity in lab and animal studies, but no widely used mosquito-stage vaccine exists yet and targeting HAP2/HAP2p is a relatively new strategy.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Seattle Children's Hospital — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sather, D. Noah — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sather, D. Noah
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.