Implementation of a human hepatocyte culture system to study the liver stages of malaria parasites

Malaria represents a huge public health problem worldwide, killing more than half a million people annually. Adaptive events in parasite and vector populations, as well as demographic and climatic events, and the COVID-19 pandemic, have made it impossible to reduce the incidence and mortality of malaria by 90% by 2030. In this context, the scientific community has established a new deadline for eradication by 2050, which can only be achieved through the deep involvement of international entities responsible for financing and developing relevant public health measures. However, taking into account that global eradication begins with regional elimination, responsible entities present in endemic countries were urged to invest in research and development initiatives that can generate innovative tools to solve specific local problems. In Brazil, malaria has particular characteristics such as the transmission of both P. falciparum and P. vivax, the emergence of strains resistant to antimalarials and cases of malaria associated with relapses, which has affected the country’s ability to eliminate the disease. These specific challenges can only be addressed through the implementation of research models that favor the development of transformative technologies such as vaccines, diagnostics for asymptomatic parasite carriers and safe medicines against relapses.

Project details

Basic Science

Aug 2024 — Jul 2026

Brazil