Discovering the mechanisms and targets of immunity against malaria

Antibodies are an important component of acquired immunity against malaria, and many malaria vaccines aim to generate functional antibodies to protect against malaria. However, the mechanisms of protection and specific target epitopes of protective immunity are not well understood, yet this knowledge is crucial for developing highly effective vaccines against malaria. In recent studies, we have begun to uncover important roles for antibodies that can directly inhibit host-cell infection or interact with immune cells to kill and clear malaria (including monocytes, neutrophils, macrophages). We have also established the importance of antibody recruitment of complement proteins to neutralise infection. The aims of this project include identifying the key targets of protective immunity and the quantifying the importance of specific mechanisms mediating immunity. The project combines detailed studies of immune responses with clinical studies of children and adults who live in malaria-endemic regions. The studies would particularly focus on using innovative approaches to understand how antibodies neutralize and clear malaria parasites in the blood, including interactions with monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils and NK cells, and identifying specific epitopes targeted by protective antibodies. Understanding immunologic memory and the maintenance of protective immunity could also be studied. The project will be tailored to best match the student’s interests and training background. Skills may involve assays of functional immunity, cell culture, isolation and analysis of immune cells, flow cytometry, western blotting, ELISA, and epitope mapping. All enquiries relating to this project, please contact Chrissie Collins - chrissie.collins@burnet.edu.au