New Delhi: A stunning new discovery in India could in future lead to the development of a new vaccine against malaria.
A team of scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in New Delhi have discovered a novel molecule that they say could one day become a vaccine against malaria.
Dr Deepak Gaur, a malaria scientist, at these institutions told NDTV, "This is an Indian discovery of a novel antigen, which is very essential for the parasite to enter the red blood cells, and what we have shown is that antibodies against this novel antigen can block the parasite from entering the red blood cells and it works against multiple strains across the world. Hence, it has great relevance with respect to developing a malaria vaccine in the future."
The discovery is causing a global buzz ever since the team of young scientists published their work in the prestigious US journal, 'Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences'.
Over 200 million cases of malaria are reported in the world each year, a million in India. Scientists the world over are toiling hard to find a solution, but an effective malaria vaccine is yet to be found.
Dr Virander S Chauhan, a malaria vaccine specialist at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, said, "There are just four or five very good molecular targets in the world that people are working with to make a malaria vaccine. From our laboratory experiments, this discovery is one of the very exciting new candidates and we would like to take it as soon as possible for clinical development."
The road for the development of an effective vaccine against malaria is bumpy and littered with failures, and this Indian team will have to spend at least another decade toiling hard to see if it really pans out to be a vaccine.
But at least a new window of hope has been opened up.
A team of scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in New Delhi have discovered a novel molecule that they say could one day become a vaccine against malaria.
Dr Deepak Gaur, a malaria scientist, at these institutions told NDTV, "This is an Indian discovery of a novel antigen, which is very essential for the parasite to enter the red blood cells, and what we have shown is that antibodies against this novel antigen can block the parasite from entering the red blood cells and it works against multiple strains across the world. Hence, it has great relevance with respect to developing a malaria vaccine in the future."
Over 200 million cases of malaria are reported in the world each year, a million in India. Scientists the world over are toiling hard to find a solution, but an effective malaria vaccine is yet to be found.
Advertisement
The road for the development of an effective vaccine against malaria is bumpy and littered with failures, and this Indian team will have to spend at least another decade toiling hard to see if it really pans out to be a vaccine.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Serum Institute's New "High Efficacy" Malaria Vaccine Rolls Out In Africa JNU Sets Up Three Centres For Hindu, Buddhist And Jain Studies JNU Considering Reinstating Its PhD Entrance, Claims Teachers' Association What Trump Rally Shooter Did On Last Day Of His Life "No Defamatory Remarks Against Governor": High Court To Mamata Banerjee Under-Fire Trainee IAS Officer Accuses Pune Collector Of Harassment Four In Five Americans Fear Country Is Sliding Into Chaos: Polls Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Launched In India; Prices Start At Rs. 2.39 Lakh Admission Deadline Extended For EWS And Special Needs Children Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.