Last Updated: 02/12/2024

Verification of the effect of Ripr5 malaria erythrocyte stage vaccine against endemic mutant protozoans

Objectives

To measure the ex vivo proliferation inhibitory effect of anti-Ripr5 antibody and SNPs analysis of the Ripr gene for Kenyan clinically isolated protozoa. 

Principal Institution

Ehime University, Japan

Principal Investigators / Focal Persons

Eizo Takashima

Rationale and Abstract

The realization of an erythrocytic-stage Plasmodium falciparum vaccine is an urgent issue. In recent years, there has been success in discovering Ripr, which is an excellent vaccine candidate molecule, and its site responsible for vaccine activity (Ripr5). Although the Ripr gene is orders of magnitude more highly conserved than other vaccine candidate molecules, even very limited single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) are expected to be exploited to evade host protective antibodies. This will also establish a new joint research base with a research team represented by Dr. Gitaka of the University of Mount Kenya, establish a new base for international joint research between Kenya and Japan, in which young researchers from both sides mutually improve each other, and realize a malaria vaccine. and contribute to the eradication of malaria. Due to Covid-19, it was not possible to visit the experiment site in Kenya this year. In addition, this study has outsourced immunization to rabbits and created rabbit anti-Ripr5 antibodies that are essential for this research. 

Themes

Vaccines

Date

Oct 2021 — Mar 2025

Total Project Funding

$161,692

Funding Details
Project Site

Japan
Kenya

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