NHMRC funding: Exploring new approaches to target the malaria parasite 

Malaria parasites are becoming increasingly resistant to current treatments, including the front-line drug Artemisinin, highlighting the urgent need for a new approach. 

Researchers from Deakin University’s Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) have received $838k in funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to better understand how malaria parasites function within infected red blood cells. 

Project lead Professor Tania de Koning-Ward says the focus is to uncover how malaria parasites generate extracellular vesicles (EVs) from the red blood cells they infect. 

‘During malaria infection, small particles called EVs are released by cells as well as by the red bloodcells the parasites infect.’

The EVs released by red blood cells (called REVs) help the parasite communicate between cells and influence the immune system.

‘Higher levels of REVs are linked to increased severity of malaria, making them a potential target for new treatments.’ 

‘We will be using a range of approaches to identify potential strategies to block EV production with anti-malaria drugs, aiming to prevent malaria disease and potentially even parasite transmission to mosquitoes.’ 

‘Despite the fact that EVs contribute to the severity of malaria disease, the mechanism by which they are generated by red blood cells infected with malaria parasites remains unknown’, she explains.

Professor de Koning-Ward emphasises that a better understanding of these processes is vital for uncovering key pathways that are critical for parasite survival, virulence and transmission and could be used to identify ways to reduce severe malaria and limit the spread of the parasite.  

‘Anti-malarial drugs have been effective in the past, but the parasites continue to develop resistance to many of these treatments.’ 

‘To address this challenge, we are exploring new approaches to target the parasite and reduce the burden of disease.’ 

‘These innovative strategies are essential to stay ahead of the evolving parasite and improve outcomes for those affected, she says. 

Funded by the NHMRC Ideas Grant, Professor de Koning-Ward aims to provide crucial insights into how malaria parasites function within infected red blood cells, leading to more effective treatments.