Investigation of the protective role of anti-PfGARP antibodies against severe malaria

Objectives

The overall aim of the project is to decipher the mechanisms leading to severe malaria protection conferred by anti-PfGARP antibodies in different endemic settings, using a combination of serological and machine learning analyses. The objectives of the project are:

1. Set up and optimise a serological screening platform for PfGARP using truncated protein constructs and screened using our MagPix (Luminex) quantitative suspension bead array platform
2. Leverage the screening platform to measure levels of anti-PfGARP in the plasma of individuals with asymptomatic, uncomplicated and severe malaria infection from different cohorts (high and low-endemic areas, India and Uganda)
3. Assess the different protective effects of anti-PfGARP antibodies in these cohorts by performing machine learning analyses including clinical (parasitaemia, parasite biomass, platelet levels, brain swelling assessed by MRI, complications, outcome, etc.) and biological parameters (selection of less virulent parasites, etc.)
4. Develop an anti-PfGARP antibody detection test and evaluate its potential as a prognostic tool in a clinical setting in India.