New Antimalarial Drug Leads Targeting Multiple Species And Life Cycle Stages
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$818,477.00
Summary
Malaria causes ~200 million clinical cases and >430,000 deaths annually. Prevention and treatment relies on drugs, however malaria parasite drug resistance is an enormous problem. To address this issue, and aim towards eliminating malaria, we need to develop new drugs. This project addresses this important health need by investigating the ability of new chemical compounds, developed at CSIRO, to kill human-infecting malaria parasites during different parts of their complicated lifecycles.
Formulation Of A Pan-species, Multi-stage Vaccine For The Malaria Eradication Agenda
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$777,611.00
Summary
GNT 1093311 entitled 'Formulation of a pan-species, multi-stage vaccine for the malaria eradication agenda' seeks to undertake the preclinical development of a saccharide conjugate vaccine directed towards all major species and stages of malaria. The objectives are: (i) to undertake the synthesis of the vaccine construct; (ii) to compare immunogenicity, formulation and efficacy of various vaccine constructs with a view to down-selecting the optimal combination to take to human clinical trial.
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.