Discovering the mechanisms and targets of immunity against malaria

Open to students

Antibodies play a vital role in acquired immunity against malaria. While the mechanisms of protection are not well understood, this knowledge is crucial for developing highly effective malaria vaccines.

We're uncovering important roles for antibodies that can:

directly inhibit host cell infection
interact with immune cells to kill and clear malaria, or
recruit the body’s complement system to neutralise infection.

Student opportunities

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Discover how immune responses protect children from malaria

The aims of this project include:

identifying key targets of protective immunity (specific antigens and epitopes)
quantifying the importance of specific mechanisms mediating immunity and how they mediate protection from malaria in children and adults living in malaria endemic regions.

The project may combine detailed studies of immune responses with clinical and population studies in Africa, Asia, and Papua New Guinea. In particular, we're interested in understanding how immune responses protect children from malaria.

Studies would focus on using innovative approaches to determine how antibodies neutralise and clear malaria parasites in the blood. This includes interactions with monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer cells. It also includes identifying specific epitopes targeted by protective antibodies.

Skills may involve: