New malaria vaccine set to enter human trials

A malaria vaccine developed at Griffith University that will protect against all known strains of the deadly parasite will embark on its first human trials within the next 12 months.

Called PlasProtecT, the vaccine uses ultra-low doses of whole malaria parasites, put to sleep using a unique chemical treatment.

This is then injected, triggering a comprehensive immune response in the body.

Lead researcher professor Michael Good said previous attempts to find the solution to attack the malaria parasite have proved elusive.

"We have observed very strong immune responses that can protect from multiple strains and species of the parasite, thus potentially overcoming the major hurdle to developing a vaccine," the Herald Sun quoted him as saying.

The new patented and trademarked PlasProtecT vaccine will be developed at the Laboratory of Vaccines for the Developing World, on the Gold Coast.