The Duffy laboratory studies the pathogenesis of malaria in human populations and uses this information to guide the development of vaccines. The research team integrates epidemiologic, immunologic, and parasitologic information with data derived from functional genomics and bioinformatics approaches to study host-parasite interactions, and to identify the parasite antigens targeted by protective immune responses that can be the basis for new vaccines.

The laboratory currently has several postdoctoral fellow opportunities in malaria immunoepidemiology and pathogenesis, pregnancy malaria vaccines, severe malaria of childhood, and liver stage malaria. Some specific project areas include:

• Immunology (antibodies) - Our effort to develop a pregnancy malaria vaccine envisions eliciting antibodies that block parasite-infected erythrocytes from binding and sequestering in the placenta. These antibodies are acquired naturally, but responses are sometimes delayed or subverted. The acquisition of specific B cell immunity in pregnant women naturally exposed to malaria requires further study.
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• Immunology (cellular immunity) - We are preparing to initiate experimental infection studies of human volunteers to examine the acquisition of responses against the parasite while it develops in the liver. Attenuated parasite vaccines demonstrate that immune responses against this stage of the parasite can be 100% protective, but the mechanisms that mediate this effect in humans remain unclear. In animal models, CD8+ T cells directed against parasite-infected hepatocytes are essential for protection. Studies that examine the immune response to experimental and naturally acquired infections, particularly early infection in the liver are planned.
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• Severe malaria of children (functional genomics) - Our studies of severe malaria in children indicate that the parasites causing different syndromes have distinct transcriptional and proteomic profiles. These initial promising studies need to be expanded to larger cohort studies using high throughput methods particularly deep sequencing of parasite DNA and RNA using samples taken directly from infected donors.

To apply:

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) conducts and supports basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. For more than 50 years, NIAID research has led to new therapies, vaccines, diagnostic tests, and other technologies that have improved the health of millions of people in the United States and around the world.