Federal Grant Award Summary

Mercer University received a $230,463 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), awarded July 3, 2026, with completion targeted for June 30, 2028. The research focuses on developing a novel multi-stage malaria vaccine antigen that targets multiple critical points in the Plasmodium parasite lifecycle. The project builds upon the institution's prior identification of mimotope peptides that mimic sporozoite ligands and gamete fertilization factors, advancing toward a comprehensive fusion vaccine construct.

The primary deliverable is an engineered vaccine antigen combining five distinct epitope targets: a female gamete antigen (either HSP90N' domain or MG1 peptide), the FG1 peptide targeting male gametes, the PFCSP NPNA repeat peptide, the P39 peptide targeting sporozoite-Kupffer cell traversal, and the HP1 peptide targeting sporozoite-hepatocyte invasion. Work includes comparative evaluation of transmission-blocking efficacy between candidate female-targeting antigens, development of dual-target and multiple-stage fusion constructs, and characterization of the resulting vaccine antigen's capacity to elicit broad protective immunity across multiple parasite lifecycle stages. This approach aims to enhance malaria control strategies through a single antigen addressing both pre-erythrocytic and transmission-blocking immunity.