Harvard University’s Alexandra Probst, PhD ’25, is leading innovative research on compounds that can prevent malaria transmission by targeting the parasite inside mosquitoes. Probst’s team has identified 22 antimalarial compounds that significantly reduce parasite infection in mosquitoes, with a focus on improving uptake and efficacy.
The current method of preventing malaria transmission relies on insecticide-treated bed nets, but resistance rates are high, affecting over 80% of malaria-endemic countries. To combat this issue, Probst’s team aims to develop bed nets treated with antimalarial drugs that would kill the parasites within mosquitoes, rendering them unable to transmit infection.
The research involves screening compounds and testing their efficacy in a landing assay, where mosquitoes are coated with the compound to see if it can get inside via leg contact. The promising class of compounds is quinolones, which have shown better efficacy at inhibiting mosquito-stage parasite development.
The next steps for the project involve creating early prototypes of bed nets treated with the antimalarial compounds and conducting experiments in Ethiopia. The team plans to test their treatment in a natural environment, including an experimental hut trial site, to measure net effectiveness and assess its impact on different types of parasites and mosquitoes.
Probst’s long-term goal is to stay in academic research, pushing the boundaries of malaria control approaches through basic research. Her passion for problem-solving and collaboration has led her to join forces with researchers worldwide, highlighting the potential for academic work to drive innovation in malaria prevention.
Source: https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/new-approach-to-preventing-malaria-transmission-holds-promise