The Division of Malaria Research focuses on malaria epidemiology, genetic diversity of the malaria parasite, drug resistance, vector bionomics of malaria vectors, GIS based mapping of malaria endemic areas, community-based intervention for malaria reduction and development of rapid point-of-care diagnostics for malaria and other diseases. The division also lends support to state governments in malaria outbreak investigations.

Our division is also at the forefront of medical innovation, specializing in the development and application of CRISPR-Cas technology for diagnostic purposes. By leveraging the precision and versatility of the CRISPR-Cas system, we aim to revolutionize the detection and diagnosis of various diseases, providing rapid, accurate, and cost-effective solutions. we are working to enhance the early detection of diseases, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to the global effort in combating health challenges. Our work not only advances scientific knowledge but also has the potential to make a significant impact on public health by enabling more personalized and precise medical care.

Major research activities carried out by the division are as follows:

Epidemiological studies:

• Malaria disease burden estimation in Tirap, Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Dibrugarh, Kamrup, Karbi-Anglong districts of Assam and malaria endemic districts of Tripura.

Malaria epidemic investigation:

The following malaria epidemics were investigated in past

• PHC Goreswar, Kamrup, Assam (1992)
• PHC Sadiya, Tinisukiya, Assam (1993)
• PHC Motbung, Imphal, Manipur (1994)
• PHC Tamulpur, Nalbari, Assam (1995)
• PHC North Jamuguri, Sonitpur, Assam (1996)
• PHC Titabor, Jorhat, Assam (1999)
• PHC Boginadi&Nowboicha, North Lakhimpur (1999)
• Golaghat district, Assam
• Dhalai district, Tripura (2014)

Entomological studies:

• Confirmation of An. minimus as a vector after its disappearance following DDT application
• Role of An. baimaii in malaria transmission in forest areas of north-eastern region was established.
• Role of a few potential/secondary vectors like An. nivipes, in transmitting malaria in the region was established.
• Detailed bionomics of An. baimaii in NE India was studied.
• Confirmation of focal presence of Plasmodium ovale and P. malariae in NE India.
• Sibling species profiling of An. diruss., An. minimuss., An. phillipinensis/nivipes group and An. maculatus group in NE India was carried out.
• Genetic diversity and Evolutionary genetics studies of An. baimaii in NE India

Vector control studies:

• Entomological evaluation of efficacy of PermaNET® 2.0, (LLINs) was studied in north-east India - net was found effective upto 20 wash.
• Phase – II bio efficacy evaluation of Defender net
• Phase – III evaluation of Deltamethrine for IRS against An. minimus
• Natural parasitism of anopheline larvae in a forest area, causing high mortality (>65%), by Lambornella sp., a ciliate hymenostome parasite, was studied.

Anti-malarial drug resistance studies:

• Conducted Phase III clinical trials of alpha-beta arteether on uncomplicated P. falciparum cases in upper Assam area.
• In vivo therapeutic efficacy of chloroquine (CQ) and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) against P. falciparum was studied in Indo-Myanmar boarder area of Arunachal Pradesh.
• In vivo therapeutic efficacy of chloroquine (CQ) and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) and point mutation associated with CQ and SP resistance in P. falciparum was studied in 2 PHCs of Assam.

Screening of anti-malarial and anti-larval products:

• The crude water extract of Coptisteeta was active in in-vitro against P. falciparum with an IC50 value of 8.8 µg/ml.
• Good in vitro and in vivo activity on the chloroquine-sensitive strain detected on extracts from the plant Bruceamollis.
• A total of 66 crude extracts, belonging to 31 plants have been screened against chloroquine senstitive strain of Pf out of which 7 extracts were detected to contain promising antiplasmodial activity. 2 fractions were further characterized for bio-activity.
• Crude Petroleum ether extracts of the roots of three plants viz. Derris elliptica, Linostomadecandrum and Croton tiglium were found to have remarkable larvicidal activity.
• A total of 38 semi-synthetic compounds were screened for anti-malarial activity

Malaria diagnostics:

• HRP II antigen based manual test kit (ICT) for detection of P. falciparum was evaluated in Jairampur area of Arunachal Pradesh; North Jamuguri, Sonitpur and Tengakhat, Dibrugarh areas of Assam.
• CRISPR-Cas-based ultrasensitive molecular detection kit for Plasmodium falciparum and Artemisinin resistance.

Other Disease Diagnostics:

• Glow-TBPCR–a Rapid, near Point-of-Care CRISPR-Cas-based Ultra-Sensitive Molecular Detection kit for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.

Major Technological transfer:

• A CRISPR Cas Based TB Detection System (Diagnostic Kit and Device).

Patent list:

• Ahmed MA, Maharana B. A diagnostic device for observing cell-free reactions. IN Patent App. Indian Patent Application No.: 202411016083.
• Glow-TBPCR–a Rapid, near Point-of-Care CRISPR-Cas-based Ultra-Sensitive Molecular Detection kit for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Patent application No. 202411043686.
• CRISPR-Cas-based ultrasensitive molecular detection kit for Plasmodium falciparum and Artemisinin resistance. Indian Patent application No. 202411043609.

Mobile based surveillance of malaria:

• Malaria surveillance in international border districts of NE India using MoSQuIT app co-developed with CDAC, Pune.
• Development of indigenous malaria surveillance app FeverTracker for surveillance of malaria and other vector-borne diseases.