New Delhi: A team of scientists at the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in the nation’s capital have reportedly discovered a novel molecule which could be developed into a vaccine against malaria.
The discovery has found antibodies that can block the parasite from entering the red blood cells, with it reportedly working on multiple strains across the world.
The team of young scientists have already published their work in the US journal, ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences’.
There were an estimated 207 million cases of malaria in 2012 (uncertainty range: 135 – 287 million) and an estimated 627 000 deaths (uncertainty range: 473 000 – 789 000). 90% of all malaria deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa.
International disbursements for malaria control rose from $100 million in 2000 to $1.94 billion in 2012 and $1.97 billion in 2013.