Malaria

Malaria is a disease affecting over 500 million people around the world and resulting in the deaths of up to 2 million children every year. Australia is not immune, with over 1000 Australians contracting the disease while working or holidaying abroad every year. There are four species of malaria parasites that infect humans and they are spread from person to person by anopheline mosquitoes. The parasite is becoming ever more resistant to the drugs used to both prevent infection and treat established disease and for this reason development of a malaria vaccine is an absolute priority. Research at QIMR is aimed at: (1) understanding the patterns of transmission of malaria in various communities; (2) studying the genetic make-up (genome) of the parasite; (3) studying the nature of immunity to malaria in both humans and in animal models of the disease; and (4) testing potential malaria vaccines in clinical studies in Brisbane and in Papua New Guinea, in collaboration with scientists at the PNG Institute of Medical Research.

Malaria vaccine research is coordinated through the Cooperative Research Centre for Vaccine Technology, involving QIMR and 6 other organisations throughout Australia. There are many strategic collaborations with other groups internationally.

For more information select:

• Immunology & Infection
• Malaria Biology
• Malaria & Scabies
• Malaria Drug Resistance and Chemotherapy
• Molecular Immunology
• Mosquito Control