# Development of novel diagnostics for African non-falciparum malaria

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $230,805

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
While malaria deaths in Africa due to Plasmodium falciparum have fallen over the last decade, the proportion
of malaria cases due to non-falciparum species is rising. Improved diagnostics are needed to respond to this
changing epidemiology. Yet current “test and treat” strategies in Africa rely upon rapid diagnostic tests
(RDTs) that do not reliably detect most non-falciparum infections and may be compromised by histidine-rich
protein 2- (PfHRP2-) negative parasites. We propose to develop and compare novel recombinase polymerase
amplification- (RPA-) and CRISPR-based diagnostic platforms that have the potential to launch the next
generation of RDTs, capable of sensitive multiplexed detection of all Plasmodium species. We have already
successfully adapted RPA and a new technology called SHERLOCK (Specific High Sensitivity Enzymatic
Reporter Unlocking) for malaria, reaching limits of detection on par with real-time PCR. We now propose to
tackle the more difficult detection of Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale. Our experience in
diagnostic development and evaluation, expertise in non-falciparum and low-density malaria infections, and
collaborative relationship with multiple in-country African investigators make us uniquely suited to pioneer this
new technology. In Aim 1, we will develop and optimize P. malariae and P. ovale RPA and SHERLOCK
assays with enhanced sensitivity and robustness, utilizing a range of strategies that have previously allowed
streamlined, multiplexed detection of multiple pathogens. We will detect target nucleic acids using a
multiplexed lateral flow device for RPA and simple fluorimeter for SHERLOCK. Sensitivity and specificity of
the new assays will be benchmarked using a large sample bank of archived isolates from the Democratic
Republic of the Congo and Tanzania. In Aim 2, we will field test the best performing RPA or SHERLOCK
assays in Bagamoyo, Tanzania. We will determine their sensitivity and compare their performance to current
RDTs, as well as real-time PCR. These studies will leverage promising new technology for pathogen
detection to provide a low-cost platform for the study of non-falciparum malaria in low-resource settings. If
successful, they will lay the groundwork for development of species-specific, sensitive RDTs capable of
multiplexed detection of both P. falciparum and non-falciparum malaria in Africa.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10206017
- **Project number:** 5R21AI148579-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Jessica Lin
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $230,805
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-06-30 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10206017

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10206017, Development of novel diagnostics for African non-falciparum malaria (5R21AI148579-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10206017. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*