Why vivax malaria hides in the liver and causes relapses
Official title: Uncovering the parasite and host determinants of Plasmodium vivax hypnozoite formation and development using single cell sequencing and human liver-chimeric mice
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11503955 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are using single-cell sequencing and human liver–chimeric mice to learn how Plasmodium vivax parasites go dormant in the liver and later cause relapses in people exposed to vivax 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 start | February 7, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $87,480 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AI158536-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11503955 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with a history of Plasmodium vivax infection or who live in or travel to vivax-endemic regions (Asia, Oceania, Central/South America, Horn of Africa) would be the most relevant group for follow-up clinical studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without exposure to P. vivax or those with other non-vivax illnesses are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this specific research right away.
What this research studies
If I've had vivax malaria or live where it is common, this work looks at how the parasite can enter liver cells and remain dormant for weeks to years before reactivating. The team will use single-cell sequencing to read signals from both parasites and the infected liver cells and will test findings in mice that carry human liver tissue. By comparing parasite and host factors that lead to hypnozoite formation and reactivation, they aim to find the biological triggers of relapse. That knowledge could point to better ways to prevent relapses or create drugs that safely target the dormant liver form.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new treatments or prevention strategies that stop P. vivax relapses and reduce pregnancy-related complications and infant risk.
How similar studies have gone: Existing drugs like primaquine and tafenoquine can clear dormant parasites but have safety limits and hypnozoite biology remains poorly understood, so using single-cell genomics with humanized liver models is a relatively new and promising approach.
Where this research is happening
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Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vaughan, Ashley M — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Vaughan, Ashley M
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.