The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded a $1,312,892 Project Grant under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) to New York University (NYU) School of Medicine. The grant supports research to characterize the disruption of the brain endothelial barrier during cerebral malaria. The research aims to define the role of natural hemozoin, a byproduct of the malaria parasite, in causing the loss of blood-brain barrier integrity. The project will also investigate the involvement of the cholesterol synthesis pathway and the enzyme farnesyl transferase in this process, both in vitro and in mouse models. The goal is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the breakdown of the brain endothelial barrier in cerebral malaria, which is essential for developing new adjunctive treatments for this condition. The research will be conducted at NYU School of Medicine over a 5-year period from May 2024 to March 2029.
Generated 3/4/25, 4:07 AM