Despite the decades of efforts that have focused on mosquito elimination, drug treatments and vaccines, malaria remains difficult to defeat, especially in Africa.
The World Health Organization report of the World Organization 2024 shows that 11 African countries carry about two -thirds of the world’s malaria cargo.
An important factor in this persistence is the genetic adaptability of the malaria parasite, according to Abdoulaye Djimdé, president of the genomic diversity of the pathogens (PDNA), a Pan -African Association of Researchers.
Djimdé says Scidev.net That scientists have identified a critical factor that is often overlooked in previous approaches, which is the genetic diversity of malaria parasite.
What is the role of genetic research in malaria control;
Genetic research has revealed that malaria parasites vary significantly in different areas.
Previously, it is assumed that Plasmodium Falciparum – the most deadly malaria parasite – was largely uniform throughout Africa. However, new studies indicate that there are separate genetic executives in different areas, which could explain why some interventions work better in some areas than others.
Genetic studies are also critical to monitoring the increase in malaria strain -resistant drugs.
Historically, resistance was only detected when treatments failed – often at high human costs.
Today, we can identify genetic indicators that indicate resistance before widespread treatment failure, allowing early policy adjustments.
Similarly, genetic tools help researchers evaluate the effectiveness of new malaria vaccines. Scientists are watching how pests can affect the effectiveness of the vaccine and if prolonged use of vaccines could lead to genetic changes in malaria populations.
What is the most important finding you discovered in the genetic diversity of malaria parasite?
One of the most important findings was that malaria pests are genetically different in different parts of Epirus. This gave us one of the foundations for the idea that when it comes to tackling malaria, there is no single magic sphere. Approaching a size is not the best way forward.
It was once that you would have guidance from who, so everyone could do the same thing to deal with diseases everywhere in Epirus.
The data we created contributed to the proof that the pests in different locations are different. Therefore, we must take into account and better adapt the different interventions for local epidemiology and local condition.
This awareness contributed to the body of evidence that helped who to shift its approach to the issuance of malaria guidance based on local data.
What does the test of data based on data based looks like?
Recognizing the importance of genetic research, which is now supporting sub -national malaria strategies that focus on local interventions. Instead of birth policies, this approach prioritizes strategies related to specific areas informed by genetic data.
Access to this diversity and range of information is vital to Public Health Authorities and those who work for the development of treatments and vaccines.
This displacement has wider benefits beyond malaria. Many of the progress made in malaria genomics have been reinstalled for other infectious diseases, including COVID-19.
During the pandemic, African laboratories focused on malaria quickly revolved on SARS-COV-2 genomes, demonstrating the extensive effect of genomic research.
What should Africa do Keep her own public health research?
Despite these discoveries, significant challenges remain. Demand for genetic research expertise far exceeds current training capacity.
While international funding has supported malaria genomic, long -term viability requires greater investment than African governments. We cannot rely indefinitely on external funding to resolve public health challenges.
African governments must prioritize research funding to ensure long -term viability.
Increased investment in basic science is vital.
Many of today’s developments in the control of diseases come from fundamental research conducted decades ago. By strengthening scientific infrastructure now, Africa can ensure that it is better prepared for future health threats.
What is the path for the next generation of genomic scientists in Africa?
For a long time, research on the genetics of the parasite was led by institutions outside Africa.
Now, with improved local know -how and technology, African scientists are leading the accusation to reveal the genetic secrets of malaria.
PDNA, for example, has evolved from an informal network of scientists into registered non -governmental, non -profit organization based in Bamako, Mali.
The idea was to work together as African scientists to build confidence between us, to share samples and to work on the same protocols and the same analysis to improve the impact of the project that each of us had done separately.
PDNA now has members of 16 countries throughout the West, South, East and Central Africa, representing multiple cultures and languages to capture the diversity of epidemiology of malaria parasite.
It develops its laboratory to promote the use of genomics to better understand diseases in Africa and the training of the next generation of scientists and experts in disease control in genetic techniques.
Progresses in gene sequence and computing biology have allowed much faster sequence of genetic materials, which give scientists strong tools to understand pathogens as they emerge, spread and evolve.
Public Health officials in Africa must have better grounding in genomic surveillance in order to be able to respond faster and effectively to outbreaks of diseases.
