Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what inspired you to focus on the intersection between the human gut microbiome and malaria infection?

I am a trained molecular biologist specializing in infectious diseases from Université Cheikh Anta Diop Dakar, Senegal. My interest in malaria and its control strategies stems from the alarming resistance trends in both the parasite and its vector to current treatments. The moment that truly sparked my curiosity was during a journal club at MRCG at LSHTM, where I learned about a study showing that gut microbiota influenced malaria severity in pregnant mice. This sparked a deep interest in exploring this relationship in humans, particularly through a longitudinal approach.

What led you to explore the role of the gut microbiome in children with malaria?

Children and pregnant women are the most vulnerable to malaria. Children, in particular, have not yet developed sufficient immunity due to limited exposure. Scientifically, this makes them an ideal study group. Understanding their gut microbiome’s role in malaria susceptibility could lead to innovative diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions to prevent disease progression.

Can you explain your current research project under the ARISE?

My research under the ARISE programme examines the bidirectional interaction between malaria and the gut microbiome. We recruit malaria-free children following WHO protocols, collect blood and stool samples monthly, and track their infection status over 12 months. Based on WHO malaria symptom classifications, we categorize them into different cohorts—severe, symptomatic, asymptomatic, and uninfected (control group). This longitudinal approach helps us understand how malaria alters gut microbiota and vice versa.

The human body naturally produces anti-glycan antibodies, shaped by our gut microbiota. Some of these antibodies can recognize Plasmodium sporozoites and trigger an immune response that may help prevent malaria transmission. If we can identify beneficial microbiota linked to this immune response, we may develop probiotic-based malaria control strategies.

The ARISE fellowship has provided me with the resources and support to delve deeper into this crucial research. I am optimistic that our findings will contribute to alternative malaria control strategies, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where malaria remains a major public health concern.

What has been the most significant breakthrough in your research?

Our preliminary data show distinct microbiota signatures correlating with malaria severity. These insights are guiding our current longitudinal studies and could pave the way for new diagnostic and treatment approaches. Our findings suggest that specific gut microbiota signatures could serve as biomarkers for malaria susceptibility. With further validation, these insights could lead to probiotic-based interventions to enhance immunity in children from endemic regions.

What role do metagenomics, meta-transcriptomics, and dual RNA sequencing play in your research, and how do these techniques help to understand the microbiome-malaria interaction?

These advanced techniques allow us to map the dynamic relationship between the gut microbiome and malaria. They help us identify microbial signatures and gene expressions that influence malaria outcomes, ultimately guiding targeted interventions.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your work as an ARISE?

Mentoring and training young African scientists has been incredibly fulfilling. The ARISE fellowship has also enabled me to lay the foundation for my own research group, an exciting step toward my long-term vision.

I have already organized training sessions for doctoral students and plan to continue equipping young African scientists with the molecular, analytical, and critical thinking skills they need to tackle infectious diseases.

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future of your research?

My goal is to secure further funding to build a robust research team, recruit more trainees, and expand our studies. In the long run, I hope our findings will contribute to groundbreaking malaria control solutions tailored for Africa.

About Dr. Mary Oboh PhD.

Dr. Mary Oboh is a postdoctoral fellow at the Medical Research Council Unit the Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRCG at LSHTM) and an ARISE fellow. She holds a Ph.D. in Parasitology and Mycology from Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar. Her research focuses on the bidirectional interaction between the human gut microbiome and Plasmodium falciparum in children, with the aim of developing alternative malaria control strategies.

Her project employs metagenomics, meta-transcriptomics, and dual RNA sequencing to explore microbial and immunological factors influencing malaria outcomes. By mentoring young African scientists and training future experts, Dr. Oboh is paving the way for a new era in malaria research and control strategies tailored to sub-Saharan Africa.