# Host and Parasite Transcriptional Changes Associated with Immunity to Clinical Malaria in Malian Children

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2020 · $193,125

## Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for more than 200 million cases of clinical malaria and half a million deaths
every year. Falciparum malaria disproportionally affects young children as individuals living in endemic areas
gradually acquire immunity against the disease. Despite the importance of acquired immunity to malaria, we still
know very little about the molecular and cellular bases of this dynamic process. Here, we propose to analyze
blood samples collected during a five-year longitudinal study in Mali to comprehensively characterize the role of
the host and parasite gene expression in the acquisition of immunity against falciparum malaria. First, we will
compare the transcriptomic responses to a first P. falciparum infection of children who then remain free of
symptoms for five years, to those of matched children who developed many clinical malaria episodes. Second,
we will analyze the changes in gene expression occurring, in the same children, over five successive malaria
episodes to better understand the molecular changes accompanying the gradual acquisition of immunity. Overall,
our studies will provide a unique perspective on the role of the parasite and host gene expression in the
acquisition of immunity against clinical malaria and could provide important information to guide the development
of more efficient malaria vaccines.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9950998
- **Project number:** 5R21AI146853-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** David Serre
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $193,125
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-06-11 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9950998

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9950998, Host and Parasite Transcriptional Changes Associated with Immunity to Clinical Malaria in Malian Children (5R21AI146853-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9950998. Licensed CC0.

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