Scientists in Denmark are hoping they may soon be having pharmaceutical labels printed for a new vaccine against malaria that protects pregnant women and babies.

Research at the University of Copenhagen has been going on for many years to find out how the malaria parasite latches on to the placenta of pregnant women, affecting and perhaps even killing both mother and child.

Now, biology experts have successfully identified a fragment of its placental hook.

Not only is this used by the parasite to avoid detection by the body's immune system, but it can also be exploited by scientists in order to create a vaccine.

Associate professor Ali Salanti said funding from the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation and two biotechnology companies will now be used to carry out further tests, with the aim of rolling out a working vaccine soon.

World Health Organization figures state that there were almost 863,000 deaths from malaria in 2008, most of which occurred in African countries.

Denny Bros Ltd, 08 June 2011