Protection Against Malaria By "Natural" Antibodies

Miguel Soares of Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia in Portugal will test the theory that antibodies directed against a specific carbohydrate produced by gut pathogens play a role in immunity against severe forms of malaria. Newborns and young children, who are most susceptible to these severe forms of the disease, have not yet built up antibodies to this carbohydrate. Soares will assess whether stimulating production of this antibody in young children can offer them increased protection.