Antibodies To The Invasion Ligand EBA175 And Protection From Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$407,792.00
Summary
Malaria causes disease and death by invading into human red blood cells and it achieves this by using specific parasite proteins. One of these, erythrocyte binding antigen 175 (EBA175), is especially important and parasites have evolved different versions of the protein. This project seeks to understand the importance of these different EBA175 variants in evading antibody responses. This has important implications in understanding natural immunity but also for future vaccine development.
Plasmodium vivax is a parasite that invades the youngest of human red blood cells. Our work will reveal how this malaria parasite enters our blood cells and the molecular mechanisms that allows successful invasion. This proposal will redefine our understanding of P. vivax invasion and explore novel ways to block its entry into red blood cells and therefore prevent malaria infection.
Insights Into The Biology Of The Carcinogenic Blood Fluke, Schistosoma Haematobium – A First Response To The Wake-up Call
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
Schistosoma haematobium is a seriously neglected parasite that infects > 100 million people. Chronic infection severely affects the urino-genital system and causes malignant bladder cancer. Advanced technologies will be used to explore, for the first time, the molecular biology of this parasite, design new strategies to fight this insidious pathogen and understand how it induces cancer.
OptiMalVax: Optimizing A Deployable High Efficacy Malaria Vaccine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$494,618.00
Summary
In this proposal, a consortium comprising many of the leading malariologists, vaccine researchers and product developers in Europe, USA, Australia and Africa will collaborate in an exciting programme of antigen discovery science linked to rapid clinical development of new vaccine candidates against malaria.
Identification And Development Of Proteins Which Interact With The Innate Immune System As Malaria Vaccine Candidates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,564.00
Summary
Parasites causing malaria live inside red blood cells. Some human proteins act in a chain reaction to destroy infected cells. Although these proteins recognise parasite-infected cells and the chain reaction starts, the infected cells are not destroyed due to parasite proteins which inhibit the human proteins. A vaccine could induce antibodies which block the parasite proteins inhibiting the human proteins so the immune system can function normally and kill infected cells, thus stopping malaria.
This an integrated program of basic research on antigen discovery and immune mechanisms, and preclinical research on novel vaccine platforms, formulations or delivery systems for the rational design and clinical testing of a next generation vaccine against malaria. This interdisciplinary research fosters strong national and international links and offers the potential for significant economic benefit to Australia.
Antibodies That Inhibit Erythrocyte Invasion By Plasmodium Falciparum And Their Role In Protective Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,250.00
Summary
Malaria continues to be a leading cause of death and disease globally, resulting in up to 3 million deaths annually, mainly among children. After repeated episodes of malaria, children that survive develop immune responses that protect them against further episodes. Currently, it is not well understood how these protective immune responses work. Malaria parasites infect red blood cells and multiply inside them, leading to the symptoms and serious complications of malaria. Antibodies that block t ....Malaria continues to be a leading cause of death and disease globally, resulting in up to 3 million deaths annually, mainly among children. After repeated episodes of malaria, children that survive develop immune responses that protect them against further episodes. Currently, it is not well understood how these protective immune responses work. Malaria parasites infect red blood cells and multiply inside them, leading to the symptoms and serious complications of malaria. Antibodies that block the entry of parasites into red blood cells have been found in adults who are immune to malaria, and can be stimulated by certain vaccines, but little is known about this immune response and whether it is effective in protecting against malaria. Many investigators have focussed on the detection of antibodies, but we will focus on the function of antibodies in blocking parasite entry into red blood cells, thereby blocking parasite growth. We will examine how these antibodies develop among children at risk of malaria living in a region of Kenya where malaria is a major cause of death, and whether these antibodies protect children against malarial illness. Malaria parasites produce a variety of different proteins that enable them to stick and then enter red blood cells. We will identify the main proteins that antibodies target to block malaria growth. We will also determine whether variations in the proteins produced by malaria are used to avoid immune responses. Results from these studies will advance our understanding of how the immune system protects against malaria. With this knowledge, vaccines can be designed that will target essential malaria proteins, and reduce or prevent malaria infection and illness.Read moreRead less
Functional Genomic Analysis of Exported DNAJ Molecules in the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria is not only a global health problem, but also affects countries surrounding Australia like PNG and Indonesia, reducing the region's stability and prosperity. Environmental changes and increased mobility of people (eg. aid and security personnel) make Australia itself more prone to malaria. The project will translate recent genomic data into functional insights using frontier technology t ....Functional Genomic Analysis of Exported DNAJ Molecules in the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria is not only a global health problem, but also affects countries surrounding Australia like PNG and Indonesia, reducing the region's stability and prosperity. Environmental changes and increased mobility of people (eg. aid and security personnel) make Australia itself more prone to malaria. The project will translate recent genomic data into functional insights using frontier technology to identify new intervention targets for P. falciparum infection. Developing novel targets is mandated by humanity, and also to safeguard Australia's region against the social and economical implication of this disease. An Australian developed intervention would increase the global visibility of its science, leading to increased investments.Read moreRead less
Red Cell Polymorphisms and Malaria. Certain red blood cell disorders have been associated with innate protection against malaria infection. However many early studies were inconclusive. We intend to carry out a comprehensive study to investigate the effect of red blood cell differences on the invasion and/or growth of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro using improved techniques. Identification of red cell components involved in interaction with P.falciparum would give a better understanding of host ....Red Cell Polymorphisms and Malaria. Certain red blood cell disorders have been associated with innate protection against malaria infection. However many early studies were inconclusive. We intend to carry out a comprehensive study to investigate the effect of red blood cell differences on the invasion and/or growth of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro using improved techniques. Identification of red cell components involved in interaction with P.falciparum would give a better understanding of host parasite interactions which may in turn suggest novel approaches or pathways to persue. This may eventually lead to the development of novel therapeutics.
Read moreRead less