ICGEB(Malaria vaccine)

Close to the success of a malaria vaccine in Africa, an experimental malaria vaccine developed by Indian scientists is also showing promise.
The vaccine, developed by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), is the first malaria vaccine from India to reach the stage of human testing.
The project has been funded by the department of biotechnology and European vaccine initiative, while Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has manufactured the vaccine for trials.
The research centre is working on two vaccines - one against Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite which causes deadly brain malaria and the other against Plasmodium vivax.
Under laboratory conditions, these vaccines have produced protective molecules and killed malaria parasite.
The vaccine against falciparum malaria has already entered testing in humans. Phase one clinical studies to test safety and to see whether it evokes immune response have been completed in Bangalore. Three different doses are being tried in three groups of 15 healthy persons each.
"There seem to be no safety issues," Dr V. S. Chauhan, director ICGEB, said.
Though it appears to be safe, data is being analysed and detailed results would be available by next year. If the results are all positive, the experimental vaccine would enter phase two studies to evaluate efficacy.
The vaccine has two proteins of the parasite and is aimed at preventing penetration of the parasite into the blood cells of humans. The parasite enters human body through mosquito bite, goes to liver and then to blood cells. The symptoms of malaria occur when the parasite multiplies in the blood cells.
Attempts are being made to make a vaccine against the disease. We may have to mix vaccines to get a potent mix which will target all stages of the malaria parasite, scientists said.
Scientists say vaccines could be the key to eradicate malaria. Current attempts to develop malaria vaccines are focused on reducing morbidity and mortality. If malaria vaccines are to have an impact on malaria transmission, then they must target parasites both in humans and mosquitoes.