Through the Center for International Health Research (CIHR) we work to understand the mechanisms that cause tropical infectious diseases, specifically malaria and schistosomiasis, and to harness this knowledge to discover new vaccine candidates. We are actively persuading several projects on malaria vaccine candidates identified in our lab. The CIHR embraces interdisciplinary approaches by linking basic lab science with cutting edge population-based science. It is this approach that makes the center unique in Rhode Island and Southern New England area of USA

The goal of our division is to identify new vaccine targets against pediatric falciparum malaria. We have verities of genetic and molecular biology tools and techniques designed for the malaria parasite to identify antibodies responsible for disease resistant in children. Our laboratory using phase display techniques to allow high throughput screening of antigens using cDNA library generated from the malaria parasite. We have successfully identified two novel antigens (PfSEA-1a and PfGARP), which are in various stages of trial in animal models with an ultimate goal of a vaccine against pediatric malaria.

Completed

1. University Grant Commission, India Research fellowship “ Identification of polymorphism in malaria antigens” 01/01/1999-12/30/2003. Total Costs: $13,125. Dr. Raj is the Principal Investigator.
2.  Department of Biotechnology, Govt. India, Grant for research on vector-borne diseases. Detection of malaria and filariasis in patients using the molecular diagnostic tool" 2004-2005. Total Costs: $3,000. Dr. Raj is the Principal Investigator.
3. COBRE P20GM1043-12 “Evaluation of PfCDPK-5 as pediatric malaria vaccine” 06/01/2015- 05/31/2016 Total Direct Costs: $80,000. Dr. Raj is The Principal Investigator at 50% effort.
4. Rhode Island Foundation “Evaluation of vaccine potential for five malaria antigens identified in disease-resistant children." 05/012017-11/30/2018. Total Direct Costs: $25,000. Dr. Raj is The Principal Investigator at 20% effort.
5. Oh-Zopfi, Women & Infants Hospital Project Grant “Preliminary evaluation of newly identified malaria antigens” 01/01/2018-11/30/2019. Total Direct Costs: $22,500. Dr. Raj is The Principal Investigator at 10% effort.
6. NIH/NIAID R01 5R01AI076353 “PfSEA-1 based vaccines for falciparum malaria” 09/01/2014-08/31/2020. Total Costs: $2,567,622. Dr. Raj is a co-investigator (RA) with a 40% effort.
7. NIH/NIAID R21 AI131047-01A1 “PfCDPK5 based vaccines for pediatric malaria" 02/2018-01/2021. Total Costs: $445,000. Dr. Raj, Principal Investigator, at 30% effort.
8. The Warren Alpert Foundation "mRNA vaccines for falciparum malaria" 2021-2026. Total Costs: $4,599,053. Dr. Raj is a Co-Investigator at 50% effort.  Current

Current

1. R01 AI144014-01A1 “multi-target blood-stage vaccine against Plasmodium." 12/13/2019-11/30/2024. Total Costs: $2025,000. Dr. Raj is the Principal Investigator at 50% effort

Pending

1. NIH/NIAID R21 “Immunodominant fragment of PfGARP” 2024-2026. Total Costs: $445,000. Dr. Raj is the Principal Investigator. Impact Score 28 (2024 Payline NIAID 28).
2. NIH/NIAID R01 "Apoptosis-inducing anti-malaria drugs targeting PfGARP" 2021-2026. Total Cost: $3,867,909. Dr. Raj is an MPI 30% effort. Impact Score 57 (2024 Payline NIAID 10)

1. Raj DK, Das BR, Dash AP and Supakar PC. Identification of telomerase activity in gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communication. 2003; 309 (3): 685-8.
2. Raj DK, Das BR, Dash AP and Supakar PC. Genetic diversity in MSA-1 gene of Plasmodium falciparum in different malaria-endemic localities. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2004;71 (3):285-9.
3. Raj DK, Das BR, Dash AP and Supakar PC. Detection of a rare point mutation in the C-terminus conserve region of MSA-1 gene in Plasmodium falciparum. Experimental Parasitology 2004;106 (1-2): 45-49.
4. Mishra K, Raj DK, Dash AP and Hazra RK. Combined detection of Brugia malayi and Wuchereria bancrofti using single PCR. Acta Trop. 2005; 93(3): 233-7.
5. Mishra K, Raj DK, Dash AP and Hazra RK. A simple Para film-based membrane-feeding method for in vivo radioisotope labeling of the polypeptide in mosquitoes. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 2005; 99(8) 803-806.
6. Raj DK, Mishra S, Das BR, and Dash AP. Plasmodium falciparum Pfs25 gene promoter has no polymorphism in natural isolates of Eastern India Acta Protozologica 2005; 44, 289-292.
7. Mishra S, Raj DK, Dash AP, and Supakar PC.  An efficient detection of chloroquine resistance marker in pfCRT gene of Plasmodium falciparum by PCR-SSCP analysis in eastern Indian isolates. Transaction of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2006; 100(3): 243-7.
8. Mishra K, Raj DK, Hazra RK, Dash AP and Supakar PC. The development and evaluation of a single-step multiplex PCR method for simultaneous detection of Brugia malayi and Wuchereria bancrofti. Mol Cell Probes. 2007; 21: 355-62.
9. Raj DK, Mu J, Jiang H, Kabat J, Singh S, Sullivan M, Fay MP, McCutchan TF, Su XZ. Disruption of a Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance-associated protein (PFMRP) alters its fitness and transport of antimalarial drugs and glutathione. Journal of Biological Chemistry 2010; March 20; 284(12):7687-96.
10. Eastman RT, Pattaradilokrat S, Raj DK, Dixit S, Deng B, Miura K, Yuan J, Tanaka TQ, Johnson RL, Jiang H, Huang R, Williamson K, Lambert LE, Long C, Austin CP, Wu Y, and Su XZ. A Class of Tricyclic Compounds Blocking Malaria Oocyst Development and Transmission. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 2012; Jan; 57(1): 425-35.
11. Raj DK, Nixon CP, Nixon CE, Dvorin JD, DiPetrillo CG, Pond-Tor S, Wu HW, Jolly G, Pischel L, Lu A, Michelow IC, Cheng L, Conteh S, McDonald EA, Absalon S, Holte SE, Friedman JF, Fried M, Duffy PE, and Kurtis JD. Antibodies to PfSEA-1 block parasite egress from RBCs and protect against malaria infection. Science 2014; 344:871-7. (IF: 41.845)
12. Nixon CE, Park S, Pond-Tor S, Raj DK, Lambert L, Orr-Gonzales S, Barnafo E, Friedman JF, Fried M, Duffy PE, and Kurtis JD. Identification of protective B-cell epitopes within the novel malaria vaccine candidate P. falciparum Schizont Egress Antigen-1. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology 2017; July 5; 24(7). PMID: 28468980 (IF: 3.5)
13. Nixon CP, Silva-Viera RA, Nixon CE, Obeidallah SA, Jha A, Dockery D, Raj DK, Park S, Patrick E. DuffyPE, and Kurtis JD. Antibodies to Pfs355, A Novel Early Gametocyte Protein, Predict Decreased Plasmodium falciparum Gametocyte Density In Humans. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2018 October 20; 218(11): 1792-1801. PMID: 29982707 (IF: 5.02)
14. Raj DK*, Kurtis JD*, Park S, Nixon CE, McDonald EA, Nixon CP, Pond-Tor S, Jha A, Taliano RJ, Kabyemela ER, Friedman JF, Duffy PE and Fried M. 2018. Maternally derived antibodies to Schizont Egress Antigen-1 protect offspring from severe malaria. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2019 May 2; 68 (10):1718-1724. PMID: 30165569 (IF: 9.08)     * Equal contribution as 1^st and communicating Author
15. Clements RL, Streva V, Dumoulin P, Huang W, Raj DK, Barbara Burleigh B, Llinás M, Winzeler E, Zhang Q, and Dvorin JF, 2019. A novel antiparasitic compound kills ring-stage Plasmodium falciparum and retains activity against artemisinin-resistant parasites. Journal of Infectious Diseases 2019 October 16. PMID: 31616928 (IF: 5.02)
16. Raj DK, Das Mohapatra A, Jnawali A, Zuromski J, Jha A, Cham-Kpu G, Sherman B, Rudlaff RM, Nixon CE, Hilton N, Oleinikov AV, Chesnokov O, Merritt J, Pond-Tor S, Burns L, Jolly G, Ben Mamoun C, Kabyemela E, Muehlenbachs A, Lambert L, Orr-Gonzalez S, Gnädig NF, Fidock DA, Park S, Dvorin JD, Pardi N, Weissman D, Mui BL, Tam YK, Friedman JF, Fried M, Duffy PE, Kurtis JD. Anti-PfGARP activates programmed cell death of parasites and reduces severe malaria. Nature. 2020 Jun; 582(7810): 104-108. PMID: 32427965 (IF: 42.778)
17. Michelow IC, Park S, Tsai SW, Rayta B, Pasaje CFA, Nelson S, Early AM, Frosch AP, Ayodo G, Raj DK, Nixon CE, Nixon CP, Pond-Tor S, Friedman JF, Fried M, Duffy PE, Roch KGL, Niles JC, Kurtis JD. A Newly Characterized Malaria Antigen on Erythrocyte and Merozoite Surfaces Induces Parasite Inhibitory Antibodies. Journal of Experimental Medicine. 2021 September 6;218(9),  Epub 2021 August 3. PMID: 34342640 (IF: 14.31)
18. Johnson Y, Shakri AR, Pond-Tor S, Jnawali A, Najrana T, Wei Wu H, Alameh MG, Weissman D, KABYEMELA E, Duffy PE, Fried M, Kurtis JD, Raj DK. Immunization with PfGBP130 generates antibodies that inhibit RBC invasion by P. falciparum parasites. Frontier in Immunology    30^th April 2024, (Accepted)

PATENTS

1. Su XZ, Yuan J, Raj DK, Pattaradilokart S, Jonshon R, and Huang R. "COMPOUND THAT TREATS MALARIA AND prevents MALARIA TRANSMISSION." June 28, 2016. US Patent No. 9375424B2
2. Raj DK, Pattaradilokart S, Jonshon R, Huang R, Su XZ "COMPOUND THAT treats MALARIA AND prevents MALARIA TRANSMISSION".August, 02,2012. US Patent No. 13 392668
3. Kurtis J, Christian N, Raj DK, Friedman J, Fried M, Duffy P. "VACCINE FOR FALCIPARUM MALARIA."March 30, 2021, US Patent No.  960,065 B2.
4. Kurtis JK, Oleinikov A, Raj DK, COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR THE TREATMENT OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM MALARIA. February 26, 2021. US Provisional Patent No. 63/154,105.
5. Kurtis JD, Raj DK, Das Mohapatra A & Zuromski J.  ANTIBODIES TO PFGARP KILL PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM MALARIA PARASITE AND PROTECT AGAINST INFECTION AND SEVERE DISEASE: US July 16, 2024, U.S. Patent No.  12,037,386
6. Raj DK & Kurtis JD. A NOVEL METHOD TO TARGET PFGBP130 AS A VACCINE FOR P. FALCIPARUM MALARIA. U.S. Provisional Patent No. 63/642,438 (filed on May 3, 2024).

BOOKS AND BOOK CHAPTERS

1. Raj DK & Sobti RC. Carbohydrate Antigens. Biotech Bulletin, 1998:( 6) 17-27.

2. Jenna Zuromski, Jonathan Kurtis & Dipak Kumar Raj. Protocol for differential biopanning of P. falciparum phage display cDNA library to identify parasite targets of protective antibodies. Methods in Molecular Biology  2021, Springer Science.

3. Alok Das Mohapatra, Jenna Zuromski, Dipak Kumar Raj & Jonathan Kurtis. Assessing PfGARP mediated apoptosis of intra-erythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Methods in (Molecular Biology 2021, Springer Science

ABSTRACTS

1. Raj DK, Das BR, Dash AP & Supakar Plasmodium falciparum Pfs25 gene polymorphism in natural isolates, 6th International Symposium on Vectors & Vector Borne Diseases, Feb, 9–11, 2002, Bhubaneswar, India.
2. Raj DK, Das BR, Dash AP & Supakar PC Genetic polymorphisms in MSA-1 gene of Plasmodium falciparum in different malaria endemic localities. 6th International Symposium on Vectors & Vector Borne Diseases, Feb, 9–11, 2002, Bhubaneswar, India.
3. Raj DK, Das BR, Dash AP and Supakar PC, Detection of telomerase activity in the gametocyte ofPlasmodium falciparum. Indo-US joint venture for development of Science, Dec. 21-22, 2003 , Bangalore, INDIA
4. Raj DK, Das BR, Dash AP & Supakar PC, Detection of rare point mutations in the C-terminus region of MSA-1 gene in Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria Symposium, Nov. 12 - 14, 2002, Delhi India.
5. Mishra S, Raj DK, Supakar PC, Hazra RK, Das B & Dash AP, An efficient detection of chloroquine resistance marker in pfCRT gene of Plasmodium falciparum from complicated malaria samples by PCR-SSCP analysis. International Conference on Malaria: Laveran to Genomics, Nov. 4-6, 2005, New Delhi, India.
6. Raj DK, Mu J, Sullivan M, Su XZ, Searching for potential vaccine candidate in the hypothetical genes of Plasmodium falciparum by looking at the repetitive sequence and membrane spanning domain in Plasmodium falciparum, malaria meeting, March 20-21, 2006, Baltimore, USA.
7. Raj DK, Mu J, Jiang H, Karat, Sullivan M, Fay MP, McCutchan TF, Su XZ, and Disruption of a putative ABC transporter alters its growth and response to anti-malarial drugs. ASTMH meeting, Nov. 4-8, 2007, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
8. Raj DK, Nixon CP, Fried M, Duffy PE, Jolly G and Kurtis JD, Identification of vaccine candidates for pediatric falciparum Malaria. Lifespan 19th Hospital Research Celebration, Oct. 27, 2011,Providence, RI, USA.
9. Raj DK, Nixon CP, Fried M, Duffy PE, and Kurtis JD, Vaccine Candidate Identification for pediatric falciparum malaria. ASTMH meeting, Dec. 4-8, 2011,Philadelphia, PA, USA.
10. Yuan J, Eastman RT, Pattaradilokrat S, Raj DK, Cheng KCC, Johnson RL, Huang R, Liu A, Guha R, Inglese J, Willium TE, Austin CP and Su XZ, Chemical genomics for antimalarial drug combinations, The Molecular Approaches to Malaria meeting Feb. 2012, 19-23,Lorne, Australia
11. Eastman RT, Pattaradilokrat S, Raj DK, Dixit S, Deng B, Miura K, Yuan J, Tanaka TQ, Johnson RL, Jiang H, Huang R, Williamson K, Lambert LE, Long C, Austin CP, Wu Y and Su XZ. (2012), A Class of Tricyclic Compounds Blocking Malaria Oocyst Development and Transmission. Genomic Epidemiology of Malaria Conference, June 10-13, 2012, Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
12. Dipak K. Raj, Christian P. Nixon, Sunthorn Pond-Tor, Hai-Wei Wu, Grant Jolly, Lauren Pischel, Ailin Lu, Christina Nixon, Ian Michelow, Ling Cheng, Jennifer F. Friedman, Michal Fried, Patrick E. Duffy, Jonathan D. Kurtis., Vaccination with Schizont Egress Antigen-1 protects mice from P. berghei ANKA challenge. ASTMH meeting, Nov.13-17, 2013 Washington, D.C., USA
13. Dipak K. Raj, Christina Nixon, Sunthorn Pond-Tor, Hai-Wei Wu, Grant Jolly, Jennifer F. Friedman, Michal Fried, Patrick E. Duffy, Jonathan D. Kurtis., Antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum glutamic acid rich protein (PfGARP) inhibit parasite growth by arresting trophozoite development. ASTMH meeting, Nov.13-17, 2013 Washington, D.C., USA
14. Dipak K. Raj, Christian P. Nixon, Sunthorn Pond-Tor, Hai-Wei Wu, Grant Jolly, Lauren Pischel, Ailin Lu, Christina Nixon, Ian Michelow, Ling Cheng, Jennifer F. Friedman, Michal Fried, Patrick E. Duffy, Jonathan D. Kurtis. Antibodies to Schizont Egress Antigen-1 (PfSEA-1) block schizont egress from falciparum infected RBCs. ASTMH meeting, Nov.13-17, 2013 Washington, D.C., USA
15. Dipak K. Raj, Christian P. Nixon, Sunthorn Pond-Tor, Hai-Wei Wu, Grant Jolly, Lauren Pischel, Ailin Lu, Christina Nixon, Ian Michelow, Ling Cheng, Jennifer F. Friedman, Michal Fried, Patrick E. Duffy, Jonathan D. Kurtis. Antibodies to Schizont Egress Antigen-1 (PfSEA-1) predict resistance to severe falciparum malaria in children. ASTMH meeting, Nov.13-17, 2013 Washington, D.C., USA
16. Christina E. Nixon, Rute C. Silva, Dipak K. Raj, Christian P. Nixon, Christen DiPetrillo, Jeffrey Dvorin, Jonathan D. Kurtis. The interactome of Schizont Egress Antigen-1, a novel vaccine candidate for falciparum malaria. Molecular and Cell Biology of Malaria, August 4-9, 2013, Lucca (Barga), Italy
17. Christina E. Nixon, David Mulama, Dipak K. Raj, Sunthorn Pond-Tor, Jonathan D. Kurtis, Ann Moormann. Cellular immune responses to a novel malaria vaccine candidate, Pf Schizont Egress Antigen-1, in young children and adults. ASTMH meeting, Nov.13-17, 2013 Washington, D.C., USA
18. Michelow IC, Raj DK, Nixon CP, Nixon CE, Nelson S, Tsai, S.W., Pond-Tor S, Federick, K., Friedman JF, Fried M, Duffy PE and Kurtis JD. Antibodies to a novel falciparum malaria antigen inhibit erythrocyte invasion. Lifespan Research Symposium 22, October 2, Abstract#22.
19. Raj DK, Nixon CP, Pond-Tor S, Wu HW, Jolly G, Pischel L, Lu A, Nixon CE, Michelow I, Cheng L, Friedman JF, Fried M, Duffy PE, Kurtis JD. Vaccination with Schizont Egress Antigen-1 protects mice from P. berghei ANKA challenge. Lifespan Research Symposium 22, October 2, Abstract#22.
20. Dipak DK, Nixon CP, Pond-Tor S, Wu HW, Jolly G, Friedman JF, Fried M, Duffy PE, Kurtis JD., Antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum glutamic acid rich protein (PfGARP) inhibit parasite growth by arresting trophozoite development. Lifespan Research Symposium 22, October 2, Abstract#22

 Postdoctoral Fellowship, National Institute of Health, USA, 2005-2010

New Investigator award, Lifespan, Providence USA, 2011

Research Scientist, Rhode Island Hospital

American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene