Malaria Immunomodulation

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Malaria Immunomodulation

Project Overview: The project aims to understand protective immunity to malaria and the potential drivers of severe malaria looking at the host immune responses, the gut microbiota, co-infection and the environment.

Key Findings

Our findings suggest that the stimulation of regulatory T cells through TGF-β1/TGF-β3 and IL-9 is paramount to an effective and balanced protective immunity in natural human malaria infection.

Read the publication: Integrated Analysis of Cytokine Profiles in Malaria Patients Discloses Selective Upregulation of TGF-β1, β3, and IL-9 in Mild Clinical Presentation

Analysis of immune profiles

Gut Microbiota Analysis

Our initial analysis of the gut microbiota showed comparable microbial diversity between patients with mild malaria and healthy participants while significant differences were observed between people living in different environments, possibly driven by their differing dietary habits.

Read the publication: Gut microbiota composition differences are associated with geographic location and age in malaria-endemic regions of Rwanda

Findings on severe malaria patients reveal particular microbial signature (manuscript under review)

DATA SCIENCE PROJECT

- E-system developed (for data collection, analysis and display) and currently applied to SARS-Cov-2 data collection
- Data analytics and repository development ongoing

Before working with this theme, you should become familiar with the Bootstrap framework, especially the utility classes.

CAPACITY BUILDING

In addition to the 2 PhD students, short trainings take place at the University of Rwanda School of Health Sciences under TIBA