Innovative Technologies Against Malaria: Metabolomics, Systems Biology, and Nanotechnology

Malaria remains a persistent burden, causing millions of cases annually and disproportionately affecting populations in sub-Saharan Africa. Although current interventions, including combination therapies, vaccination efforts, and vector control measures, have significantly lowered mortality, their long-term effectiveness is increasingly threatened by resistance in both parasites and mosquito populations. A deeper understanding of the biological processes that govern parasite adaptation, treatment failure, and host interaction is therefore essential.

Recent methodological advances have significantly expanded the research landscape. High-resolution metabolic analyses provide insights into the biochemical pathways that sustain parasite growth and adaptation. Systems-based approaches enable the integration of diverse datasets to uncover regulatory networks and predict system behavior. Meanwhile, nanotechnology introduces versatile tools for targeted delivery and detection. Together, these advances create new opportunities to rethink malaria intervention strategies.

This Research Topic aims to showcase innovative research employing metabolic investigation, computational/systems modeling, and/or nanotechnology to address key challenges in malaria. By linking detailed biochemical data with predictive analytical tools and advanced material platforms, researchers can gain a more complete picture of parasite function, host responses, and treatment dynamics.

The collection will focus on identifying critical metabolic pathways that may serve as therapeutic targets, clarifying how parasites adapt under drug pressure, and exploring how combined therapies can be optimized through system-level insights. In parallel, contributions addressing the development of nanotechnology-based tools, whether for drug delivery, diagnostics, or vector management, are highly encouraged.

By fostering dialogue between specialists in parasitology, data science, chemistry, and nanotechnology, this initiative aims to stimulate collaborative efforts that translate scientific discoveries into practical applications. Ultimately, the objective is to support the development of more robust, efficient, and sustainable strategies for malaria control and eventual elimination.

This Research Topic invites original articles, reviews, perspectives, and methodological contributions that explore interdisciplinary approaches to malaria research.

Areas of interest include:

• Metabolic characterization of Plasmodium and infected host systems
• Integrative and systems-based analyses of parasite biology
• Studies on host–parasite interactions at the molecular level
• Identification of biomarkers for diagnosis or therapeutic monitoring
• Design of nanomaterial-based delivery systems
• Application of eco-friendly nanoparticles in therapy or vector control
• Development of nanoscale diagnostic tools and biosensors
• Computational approaches to modeling parasite metabolism
• Exploration of drug interactions using systems pharmacology

Submissions that combine experimental work with computational or translational perspectives, particularly those relevant to endemic regions, are strongly encouraged.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Multi-Omics, Metabolomics, System Biology, Nanotechnology, Malaria

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.