Round 2, 2025

• Non-invasive detection of zoonotic malaria, Plasmodium knowlesi using infrared light and artificial intelligence
  Angelica Tan, QIMR Bergohfer Medical Research Institute
  Giri Rajahram, Queen Elizabeth Hospital II Infectious Disease Society
  Funding amount: $24,993.69 
• A novel metabarcoding surveillance platform to accelerate malaria elimination through integrated surveillance of key neglected tropical diseases
  Patsy Zendejas-Heredia, Deakin University
  Elma Nate, PNG Institute Medical Research
  Funding amount: $25,000 
• Establishing high-resolution genotyping of Plasmodium falciparum in China to monitor drug-resistance in the China-Myanmar border region
  Kian Soon ‘Ludwig’ Hoon, Menzies School of Health Research
  Haoyue Yin, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, China
  Funding amount: $23,974.80 
• Evaluating the Mic real-time PCR for sensitive and quantitative diagnosis of Plasmodium knowlesi
  Jeremy Gower, QIMR Bergohfer Medical Research Institute
  Giri Rajahram, Queen Elizabeth Hospital II Infectious Disease Society
  Funding amount: $24,999.63

 

Round 1, 2025

• Optimising and accelerating P.vivax drug resistance surveillance
  Ashley Osborne, Menzies School of Health Research
  Agatha Mia Puspitasari, Exeins Health Initiative
  Funding amount: $24,015.40

 

 

Round 2, 2024

• Can species-specific serological markers supplement scarce occurence data to support vector mapping?
  Gerard Ryan, The Kids Research Institute
  Ellen Kearney, University of Melbourne
  Funding amount: $24,599

 

• Investigation of a novel pfcrt gene copy number amplification potentially underlying drug resistance
  Anjana Rai, Menzies School of Health Research
  Maria Lourdes Macalinao, RITM
  Funding amount: $17,207

 

Round 1, 2024

• Developing and optimising sensitive Plasmodium vivax antigen-detection assays
  Anju Abraham, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
  Jean Popovici, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge
  Funding amount: $20,000

 

• Spatio-temporal modelling of multi-market artemisinin resistance mutations
  Tianxiao Hao, The Kids Research Institute
  Imke Botha, University of Melbourne
  Funding amount: $20,000

 

• Development of assessment tool to assess the readiness of an area’s health system to enter into malaria elimination phase
  Win Htike, Burnet Institute and University of Melbourne
  Alyssa Barry, Deakin University
  Funding amount: $20,000

 

• Community based information and communication strategy to improve malaria case management in Indonesia
  Annisa Rahmalia, Menzies School of Health Research
  Enny Kenangalem, Papuan Health and Community Development Foundation
  Funding amount: $20,000

 

• Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum Pfs47 gene and its association with vector diversity in Papua New Guinea
  Myo Naung, Deakin University
  Joshua Chapau, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research
  Funding amount: $20,000

 

Round 2, 2022

• Hybrid genome assembly and annotation of Plasmodium vivax from the Asia-Pacific region
  Paolo Bareng, Deakin University

 

• Determining the degree of infant exposure to primaquine through colostrum and transitional breast milk – opening the gateway to early postpartum radical cure to curb maternal Plasmodium vivax relapse
  Dr Brioni Moore, Curtin University

 

• Predicting malaria transmissibility in a near elimination setting and identifying key drivers for malaria elimination
  Dr Kinley Wangdi, Australian National University

 

• Genomic surveillance for emerging Plasmodium knowlesi malaria
  Dr Jacob Westaway, Menzies School of Health Research
  The long-term goal of our project is to develop a cost-effective genomic surveillance tool for Plasmodium knowlesi. This involves the in-silico development of a microhaplotype panel using an appropriately geographically diverse dataset of P. knowlesi whole genomes. With support from our regional partners in Indonesia, we have obtained an additional 59 P. knowlesi isolates from outside the geographic distribution of our current dataset. However, given the difficulties in collecting high quality field-isolates and in sequencing low-parasitemia samples, we plan to sequence a high-quality subset and are in the process of testing several methods that will improve parasite DNA yield. We plan to send isolates for whole genome sequencing by the end of 2023, with in-silico development of the microhaplotype panel to commence in early 2024.

 

Round 1, 2022

• Defining the antigenic diversity of Plasmodium vivax apical membrane antigen-1 to inform vaccine development
  Dr Lee Yeoh, Burnet Institute
  Since the project initiation, the team has successfully completed a comprehensive meta-population analysis of Plasmodium vivax AMA1 genetic diversity. Using whole genome sequences obtained from MalariaGen, we have identified AMA1 variants circulating in various populations and provided insights into the selection pressure in different AMA1 domains. These findings will be used to select and express alleles to measure antibody responses in different serum samples. This will enable us to develop an effective vaccine against the parasite diversity in high-burden countries.
  

 

• A statistical framework for identifying sufficient data to infer a total parasite biomass
  Dr David Price, Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne
  Within-host pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic models that describe the relationship between antimalarial drug concentrations and parasite dynamics provide a valuable decision tool for determining optimal dosing regimens for new and existing drugs. Whether evaluating the drug characteristics in early-phase volunteer infection studies or in field trials, proper study design is critical to generating as much information as feasible within the constraints on study resources and practical blood sampling times. This project is developing a computational framework to evaluate how much information on key drug effect parameters is generated under different blood sampling times, to inform the design of future drug trials.

 

• Feasibility assessment of the use of Optical Mark Recognition around Vivax Malaria surveillance
  Dr Mary Malai, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research
  With the seed funding provided by ACREME, data collected in this surveillance will be a valuable resource in helping ACREME researchers and other relevant stakeholders understand the current data surveillance methods and also identify areas that will need improving. As of October 2023, 9 qualitative interviews were conducted with a diverse range of stakeholders (including health facility staff, implementation managers and members of Provincial Health Authorities). We are currently analysing the data and hope to share the findings upon completion.
  

 

• Utilising community malaria volunteers to expand molecular and serological surveillance of malaria in pre-elimination settings
  Dr Win Han Oo, Burnet Institute
  Current tools widely available to diagnose malaria in the field miss the majority of cases due to a huge proportion of low-density, subclinical Plasmodium spp. infections in many malaria-endemic regions. Molecular and serological assays can determine residual malaria transmission missed through routine detection and can be performed using samples derived from used RDTs. Using seed funding provided by ACREME, we optimised procedures for molecular and serological detection of malaria in laboratory and field-performed RDT. Protocols will be transferred to in-country partners to determine their feasibility and utility in pre-elimination settings to detect residual malaria transmission.
  

 

• Web-based interactive tool to improve decision-making for malaria elimination in Vietnam
  Dr Yalemzewod Gelaw, Curtin University and Telethon Kids Institute
  We employed the network diffusion model to estimate the transmission risk, represented by the case reproduction number (𝑅𝑐), for both P. falciparum and P. vivax in Vietnam. The dynamics of transmission for these parasites exhibited variations between 2019 and 2022. Specifically, P. falciparum transmission displayed a seasonal pattern, with forest cases playing a significant role in driving this seasonality. Geographically, transmission of both P. falciparum and P. vivax was clustered in the central and Northwest regions and showed a decreasing trend over time. Since the start of 2020, the fraction of total cases that were imported was much lower than those that were indigenous. The spikes in observed cases during this time can be attributed to indigenous cases.

 

• Collection of cells to isolate monoclonal antibodies to placental malaria antigens
  Dr Elizabeth Aitken, Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne
  Using funding from the seed grant and in collaboration with researchers at the PNG IMR we identified women in the Madang region who were likely to have B-cells which make anti-VAR2CSA antibodies and then collected cells from 11 of these women. These samples should be sufficient to make monoclonal antibodies to placental binding parasite antigen VAR2SCA which is responsible for placental malaria.  Further funding to continue the work from this seed grant has been acquired via a NHMRC Idea’s grant scheme and we will be making monoclonal antibodies to VAR2CSA and then characterising them in the coming months.  We aim to find functional monoclonal antibodies that recognise heterologous parasite strains as they can assist in vaccine design and be potential therapeutics against placental malaria.

 

Round 2, 2021

• MinION sequencing for rapid detection of imported P. vivax cases
  Dr Mariana Kleinecke, Menzies School of Health Research
  We have successfully established a 33 SNP short amplicon assay on the MinION to rapidly determine the country of origin in P.vivax infections. We are currently validating the assay on a diverse sample set from a range of malaria endemic sites with the plan of completion by the end of the year.

 

• Estimating disease prevalence in a sentinel site catchment population to complement case-based surveillance and develop decision-making tools
  Dr Diana Timbi, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research
  Estimating disease prevalence in a sentinel site catchment population to complement case-based surveillance and develop decision-making tools’ will start in July 2023. Staff recruitment begins in July and training of the new staff in August. Data collection will begin in September and end in mid-October.

 

• Characterizing the longitudinal immune response to salivary antigens of Southeast Asian mosquito vectors of malaria, with a human challenge model
  Ms Ellen Kearney, Burnet Institute, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
  Using samples collected as part of a world-first human challenge trial of controlled exposure to mosquito bites, we have measured antibodies against proteins from the saliva-dominant vectors of malaria in the Greater Mekong Subregion and quantified the changes over time in response to mosquito biting exposure. We determined that antibody levels against all salivary proteins decayed overall but were boosted with and following biting exposure. These findings provide evidence of a causal relationship between biting exposure and antibodies against salivary antigens and highlight a role for these antibodies to serve as species-specific biomarkers of exposure to mosquito bites in Southeast Asia. This salivary antibody approach may help to overcome the sensitivity and feasibility limitations of traditional entomological methods to measure mosquito biting exposure.

 

• Understanding cross-reactive antibodies in children without documented exposure to malaria
  Dr Rhea Longley, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

 

• Artificial Intelligence-based drug resistance screening of malaria parasites using ‘Read Until’
  Dr Kirsty McCann, Deakin University

 

• Methodological comparison of P. vivax genotyping approaches for molecular surveillance within the ACREME network
  Dr Caitlin Bourke, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

 

• Identification of antibody targets and mechanisms associated with duration and spontaneous clearance of subclinical Plasmodium vivax infection
  Dr Katherine O’Flaherty, Burnet Institute
  In this study, we sought to identify the specific antibody targets and mechanisms associated with the clearance of P. vivax parasites. Using novel bead-based immunological assays, specific targets anti-P. vivax IgG antibodies were determined in a unique cohort of participants residing in malaria-endemic regions of Cambodia and Laos with rich follow-up data and ultra-sensitive detection of P. vivax infection with defined parasite clearance end points. Using this data, we will identify and prioritise targets of combinations thereof, to investigate the role of antibody function associated with antibody-mediated clearance of P. vivax parasitemia and quantify their effect on the duration and clearance of P. vivax infection. Findings from this research will further our understanding of the acquired immune response to P. vivax and deepen our understanding of the role of acquired immunity in the maintenance and clearance of P. vivax infection, and will inform novel vaccine candidates and strategies.

 

Round 1, 2021

• Spatial imaging and transcriptomic analysis of immune cells and malaria parasites in Plasmodium-infected human spleens
  Dr Steven Kho, Menzies School of Health Research
  Using the ACREME seed grant, we have established a framework for multiplex spatial profiling of immune cells in human splenic tissue. Analytical pipelines are now being established and optimization of further multiplex panels is underway to enable spatial profiling of all major cell types, their activation status, and their interactions with malaria parasites. We have also identified important steps in the preparation and storage of spleen samples for high-quality downstream spatial transcriptomics studies. Together, these frameworks will be applied to spleen samples from a unique cohort of splenectomy patients with current and past malaria infections in Indonesia, to understand a) how malaria parasites and host immune cells co-exist in the splenic environment, b) the mechanisms of malaria immunity, and c) how parasites have adapted to survive and replicate in splenic tissue.

 

• Assessing the early development of functional antibody responses and target antigens in controlled human malaria infection to inform vaccine development
  Dr Linda Reiling, Burnet Institute
  We have used serum samples from a Controlled Human Malaria Infection (CHMI) trial to assess the immunogenicity and antigenicity of a panel of merozoite antigens in malaria infections of naïve adults. We found that the magnitude of antibody responses against different antigens varied and followed different kinetics. Amongst the most reactive antigens were leading malaria vaccine targets and targets that had been associated with protective antibody responses previously. The results so far give us important insights into the development of antibody responses in malaria-naïve participants, and the boosting effect of vaccine-induced antibody responses by natural infection. We will extend our study to assess functional antibody responses such as complement fixation and FcR interactions in this cohort. This study will help to characterize efficacious antibody responses after first malaria infection.

 

• Investigating asymptomatic transmission of malaria parasites in the Madang province of Papua New Guinea
  Dr Lincoln Timinao, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research and Burnet Institute
  Several studies have identified asymptomatic individuals with submicroscopic levels of parasitemia but to date there has been no study confirming the proportion of asymptomatic infections that can potentially contribute to ongoing malaria transmission in Papua New Guinea (PNG). In this study we exposed asymptomatic individuals from a village along the north coast in the Madang province of PNG to lab-reared Anopheles farauti mosquitoes. Our aim was to investigate the proportion of asymptomatic individuals that can potentially transmit malaria parasites to mosquitoes. Our findings reveal that 31% (83/269) of the individuals screened were diagnosed as having malaria infection by either, the malaria rapid diagnostic test or by qPCR. Among these infected individuals, 57% (47/83) were asymptomatic carriers. Among the asymptomatic individuals who agreed to participate in the mosquito feeding experiments, only 5% (2/40) were able to successfully transmit Plasmodium vivax parasites to our lab-reared mosquitoes. These results highlight the need for further investigation, as these cases remain untreated, contribute to the malaria reservoir and perpetuate ongoing transmission within the community.

 

Round 1, 2020

• Validating molecular and serological tools for detecting hidden reservoirs of Plasmodium infections in Papua New Guinea
  Dr Fiona Angrisano, Burnet Institute
  In this study, we sought to identify novel screening tools that are superior to standard diagnostics tools for detecting foci of ongoing malaria transmission. Serological indicators of recent exposure to P. falciparum and P. vivax were compared to ultra-sensitive qPCR (usqPCR) parasite prevalence indicator for surveillance using samples from a 2013 East Sepik Province longitudinal child cohort. Using this data, we will discover the best combination of screening tools to identify ‘hidden’ reservoirs of and develop evidence-based surveillance strategies to take forward into novel implementation trials. Understanding the usefulness of these new strategies is critical if we are to transform surveillance as an intervention that accelerates malaria elimination.

 

• Investigating antibody responses to mosquito salivary antigens across the Asia Pacific to advance novel malaria surveillance strategies
  Dr Julia Cutts, Burnet Institute
  Developing new tools, such as antibody markers of malaria and vector exposure,is important for identifying communities where malaria is being transmitted, to enable rapid deployment of resources, such as vector control interventions. Archival human sera collected by ACREME investigators across seven malaria endemic sites in the Asia-Pacific and Africa were screened for antibodies specific to novel salivary gland antigens of known dominant vectors. Findings suggest region-specific Anopheles serological markers could be used as a tool to monitor vector exposure and augment current malaria surveillance strategies. 

 

• Understanding the role of polymorphisms in vaccine escape to guide malaria vaccine development and implementation
  Dr Liriye Kurtovic, Burnet Institute

 

• Optimal geospatial design of malaria surveillance programs
  Dr Freya Shearer, University of Melbourne

 

• Serological exposure markers for P. vivax in pregnant women
  Dr Holger Unger, Menzies School of Health Research

 

• Characterizing antibody responses to PfEMP1 as biomarkers of severe and uncomplicated malaria in Papua New Guinea
  Dr Isobel Walker, University of Melbourne

 

Round 2, 2019

• How best can we detect the hidden splenic parasite biomass in human Plasmodium infection? Part 1: peripheral blood
  Dr Steven Kho, Menzies School of Health Research
  The aim of this project was to test the performance of a new highly-sensitive 5-plex malaria diagnostic assay at detecting hidden extravascular infections outside peripheral blood. As the assay was designed to detect very low concentrations of malaria parasite markers (HRP2, PvLDH, PfLDH and PanLDH), we hypothesised that evaluation of plasma samples would enable detection of these markers released by parasites in the hidden extravascular compartments. We first evaluated the diagnostics performance of the assay on both plasma and whole blood samples from patients with clinical malaria, and found that while diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was excellent using whole blood, the platform’s performance when tested on plasma was suboptimal and warrants further development. We are now testing the performance of serological-based assays (PvSeroTAT) and are seeking funding to test hemozoin-based diagnostic tools as new prototypes for the detection of hidden extravascular malaria infections.

 

• Age-dependent diversity of innate immune responses in malaria
  Dr Jessica Loughland, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
  Age is an important factor that influences how an individual responds to infection and disease. In malaria, it is difficult to study the intrinsic effect of age on the immune response to infection, as exposure to malaria occurs alongside aging. Here, we used the ACREME seed grant funding to disentangle these factors, assessing cellular innate immune responses in malaria naïve children and adults. We show transcriptionally (at the gene expression level) and functionally (what the cells produce in response to malaria) that malaria-naïve adults were dominated by an inflammatory innate cell response after a first in vitro exposure to the malaria parasite while, children had a more regulatory response. Taken together, these findings identify transcriptional and cellular mechanisms of age-dependent host responses that play crucial roles in driving inflammatory responses in malaria.

 

• Use of proteomics as a platform for evaluating new biomarkers for improving diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax for the purpose of malaria elimination
  Dr Sumudu Britton, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

 

• Investigating the transmissibility of artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum and the effect of artesunate on gametocyte production
  Dr Zuleima Pava, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

 

Round 1, 2019

• Field evaluation of a Point-of-Contact device for P. falciparum malaria serosurveillance
  Dr Aung Pyae Phyo, Burnet Institute

 

• Functional human antibodies that target P. falciparum gametocytes to reduce malaria transmission
  Dr Jo-Anne Chan, Burnet Institute

 

• The impact of a malaria infection on G6PD activity (MAGY)
  Dr Benedikt Ley, Menzies School of Health Research
  The current global test and treat algorithms for primaquine and tafenoquine based radical cure for vivax malaria assumes G6PD activity to be stable within the human host, a single measurement is suitable to determine whether a patient is eligible for treatment or not. However, there is some evidence suggesting that G6PD activity is altered by a malaria infection. This project is an add on to a human challenge study and provides important additional data from a very carefully controlled environment on the changes of G6PD activity in the course of a malaria infection. The results of this project fed into a successful NHMRC Ideas Grant application in 2023.

 

• Building capacity for an innovative amplicon deep sequencing tool to genotype Plasmodium infections for improved surveillance
  Dr Shazia Ruybal Pesántez, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

 

• Development of a high-sensitivity reader for improving use of malaria RDTs
  Dr Leanna Surrao, Burnet Institute

 

Round 2, 2018

• Enhanced geospatial surveillance for identifying malaria transmission hotspots using antenatal screening in PNG
  Dr Ricardo Ataide, Burnet Institute

 

• Development of a novel mouse model of artemisinin-resistant malaria to screen and prioritize antimalarial drugs effective against artemisinin-resistant parasites
  Dr Maria Rebelo, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

 

• Paving the way for universal radical cure
  Dr Kamala Thriemer, Menzies School of Health Research

 

Round 1, 2018

• The cost-effectiveness of molecular epidemiology to inform malaria control program decision-making: a scoping exercise.
  Dr Angela Devine, Burnet Institute
  A big question is how much it costs to do molecular epidemiology for malaria. Our seed grant funded the collection of this cost data in Papua New Guinea, setting up a new collaboration and providing the data needed to write a report for decision makers. We leveraged this work to successfully apply for a larger seed grant that will collect further cost data in Indonesia. We are currently collecting that cost data and writing a manuscript that includes costs from both countries, enabling comparisons. We hope that this will enable us to secure larger grant funding to do a cost-effectiveness analysis.

 

• Understanding RTS,S immunity to inform vaccine implementation and design an improved pre-erythrocyte stage vaccine to facilitate malaria elimination
  Dr Gaoqian Feng, Burnet Institute

 

• Novel serological markers for surveillance of both P. vivax malaria exposure and immunity
  Dr Rhea Longley, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

 

• Developing a multiscale model combining both within-host and population level information to predict the emergence and spread of antimalarial resistance
  Dr Pengxing Cao, University of Melbourne
  The project initiated a long-term project of developing an agent-based multiscale model of malaria transmission through several collaborations within the ACREME network. Strating from modelling the within-human gametocyte dynamics based on Volunteer Infection Studies, our work has expended to capture more accurate details about the human-to-mosquito transmission processes that link models of malaria transmission in human population with mosquito population. A full multiscale model is being developed and refined.