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

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The aim of the project is to decipher the mechanisms leading to severe malariaprotection conferred by anti-PfGARP antibodies in different endemic settings, using acombination of serological and machine learning analyses. The objectives of theproject are: 1. Set up and optimise a serological screening platform for PfGARP usingtruncated protein constructs and screened using our MagPix (Luminex) quantitativesuspension bead array platform 2. Leverage the screening platform to measure levelsof anti-PfGARP in the plasma of individuals with asymptomatic, uncomplicated andsevere malaria infection from different cohorts (high and low-endemic areas, India andUganda) 3. Assess the different protective effects of anti-PfGARP antibodies in thesecohorts 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 aprognostic tool in a clinical setting in India. Dr. Tetteh will oversee research related toserology platform development and optimization, as well as the sample screening. Dr.Wassmer will supervise the machine learning analysis using the extensive clinical andbiological database of the cohorts, as well as the development and assessment of anti-PfGARP antibody detection test on-site in India. The proposed research project is highlyinterdisciplinary and both supervisors will be actively engaged in all aspects of theproject.