A vaccine to prevent malaria

Malaria mostly affects young children in Africa. They suffer from fever, fatigue and organ failure. About 1,200 children die of malaria each day. Many more get sick, multiple times. Malaria is caused by a parasite that is spread by mosquitoes. It grows inside red blood cells. Current medication is effective, but often not available. Our own immune system can protect us, but it takes many infections. Protected adults make antibodies against the parasite, but which of these prevent people from getting sick? We identified antibodies that may prevent severe malaria. In vitro assays show they can reduce binding of infected red blood cells to brain blood vessels.