Mary Gates Endowment for Students

Aida Chan

Project

RiboRDT: Leveraging Ribosomal Proteins as Novel Biomarkers for Rapid Diagnostic Tests

Malaria remains one of the world’s most persistent public health challenges, disproportionately affecting low-income regions of Sub-Saharan Africa where access to reliable diagnostic tests and timely, effective treatment is limited. Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) are essential for point-of-care malaria detection; however, the growing prevalence of deletions in the Plasmodium falciparum hrp2 gene has significantly compromised the sensitivity of HRP2-based RDTs, which constitute the majority of RDTs currently in use. Failures in these tests result in false-negative diagnoses even in patients with active parasitemia, thus delaying treatment, enabling continued transmission, and undermining malaria surveillance and control efforts. To address this diagnostic gap, we present a study that aims to evaluate the potential of ribosomal proteins (RPs) as alternative diagnostic biomarkers for P. falciparum infection. We identified four promising RP candidates — all of which are highly expressed, essential for parasite survival, and unlikely to be lost through gene deletions, rendering them strong targets for specific and durable detection. Plasmids encoding these targets will be delivered to mice via gene gun-mediated immunization to generate RP-specific antibodies. The resulting purified mouse IgG will be assessed using dot blot assays to determine whether these antibodies can reliably discriminate P. falciparum-infected red blood cells from uninfected controls. Ultimately, this approach seeks to establish the feasibility of RP-based detection as a foundation for next-generation malaria RDTs, addressing a critical vulnerability of current HRP2-dependent diagnostics and offering innovative alternatives in the face of HRP2 deletions.

What I learned

This experience was incredibly valuable to me because it gave me the opportunity to take ownership of a research project. I learned how to take responsibility for the direction of my project, troubleshoot unexpected errors, and optimize experiments to collect the most meaningful data while using resources efficiently. I also learned that research rarely goes exactly as planned, and that being willing to adapt and think creatively is just as important as meticulously following a protocol. Receiving this scholarship also allowed me to attend national conferences, where I presented my research and connected with researchers from across the country. These experiences broadened my perspective as a researcher and strengthened my knowledge as a scientist.

Advice for future applicants

Don't be afraid to be introspective! I think the most important part of this application is explaining why your project is meaningful to you and why you are passionate about the work you are doing. The reviewers already know that your research is significant; what they really want to understand is why it is significant to you. Don't be afraid to share what you have learned, how the experience has shaped you, or what you found personally meaningful about your work. Be thoughtful and genuine, and focus on answering the prompts in a way that gives the reviewers a better understanding of you as a researcher and as a person.

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