Open Philanthropy recommended a grant of $257,193 over three years to Yale University to support research led by Dr. Richard Bucala that will test a vaccine against pMIF in non-human primates. pMIF is a protein that is secreted by Plasmodium falciparum (a pathogen that causes malaria); the team will evaluate whether the vaccine enhances the development of malaria immunity. This research will be done in collaboration with Dr. Chester Joyner at the University of Georgia, whose work we are also supporting.
Our science team believes that vaccinating against pMIF may provide an important boost to the efficacy of existing malaria vaccines.
This falls within our focus area of scientific research, specifically within our interest in advancing human health and wellbeing.