ND Magazine home page Magazine market, subscribe, sample copy, writers' guidelinesND reflections, address changes ND reflections, change address
 
Spring contentsSpring contents

Links

ND department of biological sciences

Malaria

 

Block that parasite

Biologist John H. Adams has been awarded a U.S patent for the potential use of a protein molecule he discovered. The molecule could be used in the world's first vaccine against malaria.

Adams isolated a molecule in the malaria parasite that allows the parasite to attach itself to human red blood cells, grow and spread throughout the body. The next step for researchers is to develop a vaccine to stimulate the production of antibodies capable of blocking the action.

There are some 600 million cases of malaria annually worldwide, and they result in as many as 3 million deaths.

Adams is an associate professor of biological sciences and a member of the Notre Dame Center for Tropical Disease Research and Training.

 

Malaria-spreading anopheles mosquito
(CDC photo)

© Notre Dame Magazine
ND Magazine home page Magazine market, subscribe, sample copy, writers' guidelinesND reflections, address changes