What lets P. vivax malaria enter and grow in red blood cells
Host and parasite factors influencing P. vivax RBC invasion and asexual development
This project looks at how differences in red blood cells, people's immune responses, and parasite traits affect P. vivax malaria infections using blood samples from patients in Cambodia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11091507 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I take part, researchers will collect blood samples from people with P. vivax malaria in Cambodia and examine the infected cells and their RNA. They will compare genetic differences in red blood cells, measure immune markers and antibodies, and profile parasite gene activity using modern single-cell and CITE-seq methods. The team will combine host and parasite data to identify factors that help the parasite invade and grow inside red blood cells. Findings will be used to guide development of better vaccine targets and treatments for P. vivax.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people diagnosed with P. vivax malaria—especially patients at clinical sites in Cambodia—who can provide blood samples.
Not a fit: People without P. vivax infection or those seeking immediate treatment benefits are unlikely to gain direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets for vaccines or therapies that prevent P. vivax from invading red blood cells.
How similar studies have performed: Genomic and single-cell approaches have improved understanding of other malaria parasites, but applying these methods directly to patient-derived P. vivax samples is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Serre, David — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Serre, David
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.