Our Research

We are dedicated to advancing the field of infectious disease control through groundbreaking research and innovative solutions. Our primary focus areas include malaria vaccine discovery, maternal & neonatal health, and diagnostic and surveillance tool development. Our work spans Africa, South America, Oceania, and Asia, translating science into tangible benefits for global health.

Research Overview

By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and a deep understanding of disease mechanisms, we aim to address the most pressing health challenges faced by vulnerable populations. Some of our key lines of research are highlighted below.

Malaria Vaccine Discovery & Development

Our research focuses on identifying novel malaria vaccine antigens to develop second-generation vaccines that are more effective and safer. Using wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis, we produce candidate recombinant malaria antigens and evaluate their immunogenicity using samples from malaria-endemic populations.

Key Contributions

Successfully expressed, validated, and assayed over 3,000 parasite antigens
Evaluated immunogenicity and vaccine potential in endemic cohorts
Discovered correlations between antibody recognition and protection

Our work contributes to the global fight against malaria by expanding the pipeline of candidate vaccines beyond the two currently licensed, offering hope for more effective interventions.

Addressing the Global Challenge of Plasmodium vivax

P. vivax malaria puts 2.5 billion people at risk globally, yet vaccine development lags behind efforts targeting P. falciparum. Kenya’s Turkana County highlights its emerging presence, alongside the invasive mosquito vector Anopheles stephensi, threatening elimination efforts.

Key Contributions

Applied genome-wide approaches to identify vaccine candidates
Employed immune-screening for potential vaccine discovery

Functional Characterization of Candidate Malaria Vaccines

We expand the portfolio of functionally characterized malaria vaccine candidates, focusing on P. falciparum. Our approach integrates immunological studies, vaccine design, and international collaboration.

Key Achievements

Genome-wide identification of novel blood-stage candidates
Detailed functional characterization of promising targets
Identification of proteins/epitopes for vaccine development

Improving Maternal & Neonatal Health

We investigate how malaria during pregnancy impacts maternal immunity, placental function, and newborn outcomes. Our project under the EDCTP2 programme is pioneering vaccine antigens against pregnancy-associated malaria.

Malaria in pregnancy causes over 10,000 maternal and 200,000 infant deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa. By identifying protective antibodies and protein targets, we aim to develop vaccines that protect women during this critical stage.

This approach will radically accelerate vaccine development for pregnancy-associated malaria while strengthening research capacity in Kenya and Africa.

Emerging Infectious Diseases, AMR & Diagnostics Innovation

We are at the forefront of developing rapid molecular assays and genomic surveillance platforms to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), STIs, and emerging pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. From hospital wastewater monitoring to nanopore-based diagnostics, we aim to build locally relevant, globally impactful solutions for future health threats.

Translating Science Into Impact

Our mission is not only to advance discovery but also to ensure that our research directly informs malaria control, maternal health, and infectious disease preparedness globally. We actively collaborate with international partners and train the next generation of African scientists.

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