Malaria remains a potentially deadly disease, especially for children, claiming over 600,000 lives in 2023. German researchers have now identified a ‘genetic switch’ that could disrupt the parasite throughout its entire life cycle—from stages in a host’s liver to their blood to what are called the pathogen’s ‘sexual stages’. If it proves effective, this breakthrough may help overcome growing drug resistance to the disease. However, funding cuts—especially from the U.S.—are threatening vital databases and prevention efforts.