Malaria immunology - (BRI-Zolg)

Through optimization of an automated mass culture system based on hemodialysis, the SP - to be conducted by the Biomedical Research Institute (BRI) - will generate sufficient parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) material to allow BRI and other laboratories collaborating in A.I.D. malaria research to isolate the total RNA, enrich the m-RNA, synthesize the cDNA and clone the cDNA into various suitable vectors. The SP will be highly integrated into the red blood cell research component of the A.I.D. collaborative network (especially the University of Missouri, the University of Hawaii, and the Scripps Clinic) in order to quickly accelerate red blood cell stage antigen isolation and recombinant genetics work. (Author abstract, modified) Amendment of 5/27/87 increases funding to $4,893,449 and extends PACD three years to continue research on genetically engineered amplification systems for use with DNA probes which are designed to monitor the effects of malaria vaccines under field conditions as well as investigate alterations of parasite genes that may be induced by high levels of anti-malarial antibody. Specifically, BRI will: (1) complete and evaluate the Multiple-Sandwich-Assay (MSA) specific to P. falciparum; (2) perform molecular cloning of probes specific to P. vivax, P. malariae, and P. ovale and integrate these probes into the MSA system; (3) adapt the MSA to field conditions by using non-radioactive detection systems; (4) detect sporozoite in mosquito vectors and discriminate the parasite species present in these vectors using the MSA; and (5) monitor gene alterations in P. falciparum. (PD-ABB-928)