Malaria is caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes and is one of the most devastating infectious diseases of man. It results in the massive infection and the destruction of the body’s blood cells. As many as one billion people are infected with malaria each year and more than two million people die, mostly young children living in the poorest communities. In fact, it’s estimated that somewhere in the world a child dies from malaria every 30 seconds.

What we’re doing in the laboratory and overseas

With these terrible statistics in mind, Burnet’s malaria research is focused on both preventing infection and improving treatment options for people already infected. Unfortunately, malaria is becoming much more resistant to the drugs currently available and new ways of preventing and treating this infection are urgently needed. Strategies, including a steady stream of new drugs, and particularly a malaria vaccine, are needed to reduce the impact of this devastating disease.

Our malaria work extends from basic laboratory research through molecular epidemiology to large field trials of anti-malarial drugs in children in Papua New Guinea, all aimed at providing evidence for more effective control and treatment by discovering new drugs and in particular a vaccine.

Most recently, our scientists discovered a potential Achilles heel in the malaria parasite. This discovery which was published in the prestigious journal Nature and will now provide an opportunity for drugs to be developed to target this part of the parasite, which hopefully will soon ultimately prevent this disease.

For more information about Burnet’s work on malaria go to www.burnet.edu.au