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Sketch of Dr Bernard Kanoi (second right) with (left to right) Prof Eizo Takashima, Prof Yaeta Endo, and Prof Takafumi Tsuboi who have been very instrumental in the use of wheat germ cell free system in malaria research.
Immuno-epidemiological Studies
Immuno-epidemiological Studies
Identifying Novel Vaccine Antigens for Malaria
Our research focuses on the identification of novel vaccine antigens to develop more effective malaria vaccines. By leveraging wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis, we produce candidate recombinant malaria vaccine antigens from malaria parasite RNA. Our efforts have significantly advanced the discovery of new malaria blood-stage vaccine candidates and the secretome profiles of P. falciparum through immuno-screening approaches.
Key Contributions:
Expression and Validation: Successfully expressed, validated, and assayed over 3,000 malaria parasite antigens.
Immunogenicity Assessment: Evaluated the immunogenicity and vaccine potential of these antigens using serum samples from cohorts in malaria-endemic regions.
Significant Findings: Discovered that a high proportion of recombinant malaria proteins are recognized by antibodies in sera from malaria patients. Moreover, serum recognition correlated with protection against clinical malaria.
These findings are crucial because malaria remains a leading cause of death among children in Africa. With only two licensed malaria vaccines—one of which has limited efficacy—there is a pressing need to expand the pipeline of candidate malaria vaccines. Our research aims to develop second-generation vaccines that are more effective and have fewer side effects.
Our work contributes to the global fight against malaria by paving the way for the development of more effective vaccine candidates, ultimately aiming to reduce the burden of this devastating disease.
Key publications:
a) Kanoi BN, Takashima E, Morita M, White MT, Palacpac NM, Ntege EH, Balikagala B, Yeka A, Egwang TG, Horii T, Tsuboi T. Antibody profiles to wheat germ cell-free system synthesized Plasmodium falciparum proteins correlate with protection from symptomatic malaria in Uganda. Vaccine. 2017 Feb 7;35(6):873-881. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.01.001. Epub 2017 Jan 12. PMID: 28089547.
b) Kanoi BN, Nagaoka H, Morita M, Tsuboi T, Takashima E. Leveraging the wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis system to accelerate malaria vaccine development. Parasitol Int. 2021;80:102224; doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102224.
c) Kanoi BN, Nagaoka H, White MT, Morita M, Palacpac NMQ, Ntege EH, Balikagala B, Yeka A, Egwang TG, Horii T, Tsuboi T, Takashima E. Global Repertoire of Human Antibodies Against Plasmodium falciparum RIFINs, SURFINs, and STEVORs in a Malaria Exposed Population. Front Immunol. 2020 May 12;11:893. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00893. PMID: 32477363; PMCID: PMC7235171.
d) Hassan I, Kanoi BN, Nagaoka H, Sattabongkot J, Udomsangpetch R, Tsuboi T, Takashima E. High-Throughput Antibody Profiling Identifies Targets of Protective Immunity against P. falciparum Malaria in Thailand. Biomolecules. 2023 Aug 18;13(8):1267. doi: 10.3390/biom13081267. PMID: 37627332; PMCID: PMC10452476.
Complete list of publications can be found here
Plasmodium vivax Malaria Vaccine Discovery
Plasmodium vivax Malaria Vaccine Discovery
Addressing the Global Challenge of Plasmodium vivax
Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread human malaria-causing pathogen, putting 2.5 billion people at risk across Africa, South America, Oceania, and Asia. Despite this, efforts to control P. vivax malaria lag significantly behind those targeting P. falciparum, particularly in the development of effective vaccines. Currently approved P. falciparum vaccines do not protect against P. vivax. In response, the World Health Organization's Malaria Vaccine Technology Roadmap to 2030 aims for a P. vivax vaccine with 75% efficacy.
Key Contributions:
Genome-Wide Approach: Participated in research efforts to identify novel candidate P. vivax malaria vaccines using a genome-wide approach.
Immune-Screening: Employed immune-screening techniques to discover and evaluate potential vaccine candidates.
Our research addresses critical gaps in the knowledge and development of a P. vivax vaccine, contributing to global efforts to control and eventually eradicate P. vivax malaria.
Selected publications
Longley RJ, White MT, Takashima E, Morita M, Kanoi BN, Li Wai Suen CSN, Betuela I, Kuehn A, Sripoorote P, Franca CT, Siba P, Robinson LJ, Lacerda M, Sattabongkot J, Tsuboi T, Mueller I. Naturally acquired antibody responses to more than 300 Plasmodium vivax proteins in three geographic regions. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017 Sep 11;11(9):e0005888. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005888. PMID: 28892517; PMCID: PMC5614652.
Mazhari R, Takashima E, Longley RJ, Ruybal-Pesantez S, White MT, Kanoi BN, Nagaoka H, Kiniboro B, Siba P, Tsuboi T, Mueller I. Identification of novel Plasmodium vivax proteins associated with protection against clinical malaria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2023 Jan 25;13:1076150. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1076150. PMID: 36761894; PMCID: PMC9905245.
c. Musundi SD, Gitaka J, Kanoi BN. Identification of conserved cross-species B-cell linear epitopes in human malaria: a subtractive proteomics and immuno-informatics approach targeting merozoite stage proteins. Front Immunol. 2024 Feb 9;15:1352618. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1352618. PMID: 38404581; PMCID: PMC10884153.
Complete list of publications can be found here
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