FAU Joins $3.8M NIH-Funded Consortium to Develop Novel Antimalarial Drugs Targeting PfGARP
Key Insights
Florida Atlantic University, Brown University, and Florida International University received a five-year, $3.8 million NIH grant to develop new antimalarial drugs targeting the PfGARP (search) protein.
The project builds on the discovery that antibodies against PfGARP (search) trigger apoptosis in Plasmodium falciparum (search) parasites within 12 to 24 hours, independent of other immune cells.
Researchers will use high-throughput screening to identify small molecules that mimic parasite-killing antibodies, creating a novel mechanism-based strategy to combat drug-resistant malaria (search).
A multi-institutional research collaboration led by Brown University, with Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University as key partners, has been awarded a five-year, $3.8 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, to develop an entirely new class of antimalarial drugs. The funding will be shared equally among the three institutions and aims to address the growing threat of drug-resistant malaria (search) through a novel mechanism of action.
The project centers on PfGARP (search), a previously unknown protein discovered exclusively on the surface of red blood cells infected with Plasmodium falciparum (search), the deadliest malaria (search)-causing parasite. The discovery emerged from years of collaborative research led by Jake Kurtis, M.D., Ph.D., of Brown University, who serves as corresponding principal investigator, with Andrew V. Oleinikov, Ph.D., professor of biomedical science in FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, playing a pivotal role. Adel Nefzi, Ph.D., of FIU rounds out the multi-principal investigator team.
A Novel Mechanism to Outpace Resistance
Unlike conventional antimalarials that target biological pathways already exploited by existing medications, the team's strategy leverages a unique vulnerability. Researchers demonstrated that antibodies targeting PfGARP (search) rapidly eliminate malaria (search) parasites by triggering apoptosis, or programmed cell death, within 12 to 24 hours—without requiring assistance from other immune cells or signaling molecules. These findings established PfGARP as an entirely new and highly promising target for antimalarial drug development.
"This award builds on decades of research to better understand how Plasmodium falciparum (search) infects and survives within the human body," said Oleinikov. "With previous support from Dr. Ralph and Marian Falk Medical Research Trust, which helped us to accumulate strong preliminary data, and this support from the National Institutes of Health, we can accelerate the development of an entirely new approach to antimalarial drug discovery—one designed to outpace drug resistance and ultimately improve the lives of millions of people living in regions where malaria (search) remains a constant threat."
High-Throughput Screening at FAU
Complementing the PfGARP (search) discovery, Oleinikov and Nefzi developed sophisticated high-throughput screening technologies capable of evaluating millions of chemical compounds for their ability to interfere with specific protein-protein interactions. By combining these capabilities, the investigators will identify small molecules that bind to the same region of PfGARP recognized by parasite-killing antibodies, effectively allowing the compounds to mimic the antibodies' lethal activity.
FAU will play a central role through Oleinikov's laboratory, which will spearhead the identification and evaluation of promising antimalarial drug candidates. The laboratory's work will determine which compounds advance for further optimization and preclinical testing.
The Global Malaria (search) Burden
Despite being preventable and treatable, malaria (search) remains one of the world's most significant infectious diseases. In 2023, the World Health Organization reported approximately 263 million cases and nearly 600,000 deaths worldwide, with more than 90% occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Children under age 5 are especially vulnerable. The disease, caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, invades red blood cells and can lead to severe anemia, organ failure, and death if untreated.
"This NIH award reflects the scientific leadership of Dr. Oleinikov and his collaborators, as well as the strength and momentum of research at Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine," said Lewis S. Nelson, M.D., dean and chief of health affairs at the Schmidt College of Medicine. "It underscores FAU's growing role in advancing transformative biomedical discoveries and highlights the importance of continued investment in innovative approaches to some of the world's most persistent and devastating infectious diseases."
Over the next five years, the research team will identify, optimize, and evaluate promising new antimalarial compounds designed to target PfGARP (search). By advancing the strongest candidates through rigorous laboratory and preclinical testing, the project aims to lay the foundation for a new generation of therapies to combat drug-resistant malaria (search).