Award
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 5R01AI168238-04
Evaluating the Functional Impact of Genetic Diversity on Malaria Vaccine Candidates
Recipient
Yale University
Award Amount
$551,244.00
Ceiling
$551,244.00
Awarded
August 18, 2025
Identifier
5R01AI168238-04
A research project funded by NIAID to study genetic diversity in malaria vaccine candidates using genomic and CRISPR-Cas9 techniques to improve vaccine efficacy.
Description
This project aims to utilize genomic approaches and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to identify and functionally analyze the diversity of vaccine candidate antigens, including PfRh5 and its binding partners. The study will assess how genetic diversity influences immune evasion and vaccine efficacy by creating transgenic parasites and testing their susceptibility to immune responses from malaria-immune individuals and vaccine trial subjects. The research will integrate genomic sequencing, structural biology, and standardized immunological assays to accelerate the discovery of broadly neutralizing vaccine candidates, ultimately contributing to the development of a globally effective malaria vaccine.