The Diseases Control and Elimination Theme of MRC Unit The Gambia, has been awarded a subcontract grant of 74,847 US Dollars out of a total grant of 506.080 US Dollars awarded to a consortium by PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, through Radboud University in Netherlands. The multicentre trial is for a duration of 12 months, which will investigate “Leveraging mosquito feed assay capacity in endemic site, to understand intra and inter lab assay variability and bridge Standard Membrane Feeding Assay (SMFA) and Direct Membrane Feeding Assay (DMFA)” The trial will take place in 5 malaria endemic countries namely: Malaria Research and Training Centre, Mali; MRC Unit The Gambia; Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)/ Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon; IRD/ Institut de recherche en sciences de la santé (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso and The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/Welcome Trust, Kilifi, Kenya. The Gambian arm of the study will be led by Principal Investigator Musa Jawara and will commence in December 2015 at The Unit’s Field Station in Basse.

The objectives of the project are to assess between laboratories variability in mosquito feed assays performed in the field; parameterize better the association between transmission reducing activity at the scales of oocyst density and oocyst prevalence in the SMFA. Directly compare estimates of transmission reducing activity in the SMFA and DMFA using well characterized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs); establish a network of field sites for mutual support in mosquito feed assay using digital technology and social media networks to leverage local capacity in feed assays; implement standardised mosquito feed assays protocols and quality assurance and control systems. These study outcomes will further more support the development of future transmission blocking vaccines (TBV). Find more information about our partners below:

http://www.malariavaccine.org/about-overview.php
The PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) is a global program of the international nonprofit organization PATH. MVI was established in 1999 through a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

http://www.malariavaccine.org/about-overview.php
Radboud University is a broad, international oriented university that aspires to be one of the best in Europe. Together with Radboudumc, we have created an intellectual environment that inspires and challenges our students and staff so that they can extend the scope of academic disciplines and benefit society.

References:
Churcher TS, Blagborough AM, Delves M, Ramakrishnan C, Kapulu MC, Williams AR, et al. Measuring the blockade of malaria transmission--an analysis of the Standard Membrane Feeding Assay. International journal for parasitology. 2012 Oct;42(11):1037-44.

Armistead JS, Morlais I, Mathias DK, Jardim JG, Joy J, Fridman A, et al. Antibodies to a single, conserved epitope in Anopheles APN1 inhibit universal transmission of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria. Infection and immunity. 2014 Feb;82(2):818-29.

Da DF, Dixit S, Sattabonkot J, Mu J, Abate L, Ramineni B, et al. Anti-Pfs25 human plasma reduces transmission of Plasmodium falciparum isolates that have diverse genetic backgrounds. Infection and immunity. 2013 Jun;81(6):1984-9.