Malaria breakthrough
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This was posted on 'e-drug'. It provides some analysis of the 'break-
through'.
Best wishes,
Beverley Snell
Centre for International Health
Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research & Public Health
GPO Box 2284, Melbourne 3001 Australia
Tel: +61-3-9282-2115 / 9282-2275
Fax: +61-3-9282-2144 or 9282-2100
mailto:bev@burnet.edu.au
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A collaborative international effort has recently completed the se-
quencing of entire DNA sequence (genome) of the protozoan parasite,
Plasmodium falciparum, which is the causative agent of the disease,
malaria. The genome contains about 5,300 genes and it is anticipated
that this information will allow researchers to identify specific
genes and hence proteins, that will be good targets for vaccines and
anti-malarial drugs.
The target identification process still requires a lot of work, but
the availability of the genome sequence is a major advance that has
exposed the parasite to close scrutiny so that weak points will be-
come more obvious.
In addition to Plasmodium falciparum, the genome sequence of the mos-
quito that transmits malaria, Anopheles gambiae has also been fully
sequenced.
The examination of the mosquito genome may also provide insights such
as why this type of mosquito can transmit malaria, but another type
cannot.
A deeper understanding of these processes should lead to new strate-
gies for undermining parasite transmission and viability.
Andrew Pearce
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Division of Infection and Immunity
Royal Melbourne Hospital Vic 3050 Australia
mailto:pearce@wehi.EDU.AU
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