Hope for a vaccine against malaria

A new finding by scientists from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU) brings promise about the possibility of developing a vaccine against malaria. The results after five years of research have created a turning point based on the ability to prevent invasion of red blood cells by deadly parasites.

According to the World Health Organization, about half of the world's population, or about 3.3 billion people, are at risk of getting malaria, and about 627,000 cases of malaria were recorded in 2012. There is currently no vaccine available to prevent malaria, although scientists around the world are still working hard to work towards that goal.

Unlike the method of antibody production, NTU studies chose another method. Red blood cells are targets of malaria parasites, Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), which then transmit the virus to the host body, where it will grow and reproduce causing fever and pain. head, nausea and there are a few life-threatening situations.

Scientists at NTU University

The method developed by NTU prevents parasites from attacking red blood cells at the first stage. The vaccine will break down the calcium signal between the parasite and the host's cells. Things to consider are two types of proteins, erythrocyte-binding-like-proteins (EBLs), erythrocyte-binding-like protein (EBLs) and reticulocyte-binding protein dates (RHs) . Both of these proteins are used by P. falciparum parasites in the early stages of invasion of special organelles, also known as rhoptry and parasitic micrneme on host cells. Research by scientists at NTU has shown that, by breaking the penetration process, the parasite will be stopped.

Monoclonal antibodies, homogenous antibodies produced by asexual immune cells, have been used to prevent RH and EBL proteins. This is achieved by breaking down calcium signals between PfRH1 (a RH protein found in P. falciparum) and the host. The scientists also found that breaking down calcium signaling could also prevent the formation and release from the EBBA EBA175 protein, effectively stopping the penetration process.

The development of high-frequency fluorescence scanners plays an important role in the research results of NTU scientists. This new technology allows them to quickly identify antibodies that affect the prevention of malaria parasites from entering red blood cells. Scientists hope this turning point will be a premise to find an effective remedy to fight malaria for a long time.