Fed: Malaria vaccine close as human trials begin

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2006
Fed: Malaria vaccine close as human trials begin

Australian scientists believe a vaccine for malaria could be as little as two years
away .. as they prepare to take an unconventional approach to trials in humans.

Researchers at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research say they'll begin testing
for a new vaccine within a year.

Institute director .. Dr MICHAEL GOOD .. says the current strategy is to expose subjects
to one of a few proteins .. in the hope of finding one that produces an immune response.

But he says that approach is very difficult .. and the parasite's evolved ways to get around it.

Instead .. his team plans to expose subjects to low doses of the malaria parasite itself
.. which they've found produces a strong immune response.

Professor GOOD says he believes the vaccine will be successful against all four strains
of the disease in humans.

AAP RTV rm/sc/jas/

KEYWORD: MALARIA (BRISBANE)

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