Behind the scenes: developing a new malaria vaccine

Nearly half of the world’s population lives in areas at risk of malaria transmission. A safe and effective vaccine could change the lives of millions of people. But how do researchers develop such a vaccine and find out if it is effective? In this video, we go behind the scenes in the malaria vaccine lab with Carolyn Nielsen and Sarah Silk from the Department of Biochemistry and their colleagues at the Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania. Through careful sample analysis, the researchers can test if the malaria vaccine works by investigating whether trial participants receiving the vaccine produce antibodies to help them fight off a future malaria infection. Take a look inside the malaria vaccine lab in this video!