Back to fellows
Profile Background
profile

Dr
Aissatou Toure

Related fellows

Dr Moses Egesa

Mr Nneka Onyejepu

View
Dr Moses Egesa

Professor Pauline Byakika-Kibwika

View
Dr Moses Egesa

Dr Clifford Banda

Specialist Clinical Pharmacologist

View
Show more
Profile EDCTP Fellowship 1

Project Title

Optimization and standardization of the new functional antibody dependant respiratory burst (ADRB) assay to evaluate anti-malarial immunity in endemic populations and merozoite based vaccine candidates

EDCTP Project

TA.2010.40200.027

EDCTP Program

EDCTP1

EDCTP Project Call

Senior Fellowship (SF)

Project Objectives

To optimize and standardize a “new” functional assay developed recently in our research unit, the Antibody Dependant Respiratory Burst (ADRB) assay detected by chemiluminescence, which has been correlated with clinical protection against malaria 2. To compare ADRB results with those of other commonly used functional assays such as the growth inhibition assay (GIA) 3. To use the ADRB assay as a tool to evaluate the level of malaria immunity in different endemic populations and to validate merozoite surface antigen vaccine candidates.

Study Design

Laboratory based investigations: in vitro immunological and molecular biological assays

Host Organisation

Department Institution Country
Pasteur Institute of Dakar Senegal

Results & Outcomes

In summary the optimization of parameters resulted an increase in signal intensity and sensitivity and ensured minimal variation and good reproducibility (CV<10%) of the ADRB assay. The assay validation with serum samples showed that antibodies that were not protective in vivo had no effect on neutrophils respiratory burst activity in the ADRB assay. ADRB activity was found age-dependent and a high ADRB response was positively correlated with in vivo clinical protection from P. falciparum malaria. In addition to the scientific objectives of the project this Senior fellowship grant has allowed the development of capacities of different menbers of the team, the training of several young Senegalese and the career development of a young scientist that has been finally recruited by Pasteur Institution. This grant has acted as a catalyst creating a malaria research dynamic as well as allowing the reinforcement of the research team.