Abstract

Our work concentrates on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of anti-malarial immunity, the immunological consequences of malaria infection in endemic and non-endemic populations and immuno-epidemiological studies of the relationship between defined immune responses and acquisition of clinically protective immunity.

Our aim is to characterise the effector mechanisms of both innate and acquired immunity to malaria, to understand how these mechanisms are induced and how they are regulated in order to promote parasite clearance without inducing immunopathology.

We also conduct research oriented to the development and evaluation of anti-malarial vaccines, especially those targeting the asexual, blood stage of the infection.

Current projects include (i) mechanisms of cytokine regulation, especially the balance between pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN -gamma and TNF -alpha and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10, (ii) investigation of the role of innately activated cellular immune mechanisms (particularly Natural Killer cells) in resistance to malaria infection (iii) induction and maintenance of B and T cell memory to malaria parasites (iv) human genetic variation, acquired immunity and resistance to severe malarial disease (v) immunological evaluation of the RTS ,S vaccine.