Functional Assays Of Immunity To Malaria In Pregnant Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,905.00
Summary
Pregnant women are highly susceptible to malaria due to the adhesion of infected erythrocytes to the placenta. Antibodies to these infected erythrocytes can block their placental adhesion and/or facilitate their clearance by immune cells, improving pregnancy outcomes. We aim at informing vaccine design by better understanding the placental adhesion mechanisms and identifying targets of protective immunity as well as antibody correlates of protection from placental malaria and its consequences.
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.