Malaria vaccines: into a mirror, darkly?

Recent advances in adjuvant and delivery systems, in addition to a wealth of genomic and proteomic information on parasite composition, are being harnessed to develop a malaria vaccine. To do so effectively, it might be necessary to reassess the criteria by which formulations have been selected to progress to clinical trials. Specifically, better in vitro surrogates of protective immunity, better animal models and a more complete understanding of the unique canvas presented by the immune system of individuals who have experienced multiple malaria infections are needed.