Ag1000G Consortium

Objectives

Ag1000G is an international collaboration using whole genome deep sequencing to provide a high-resolution view of genetic variation in natural populations of Anopheles gambiae, the principal vector of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Africa.

The three core objectives of the project are:

• Discovering natural genetic variation – By using high-throughput sequencing of a large number of wild-caught mosquitoes sampled from across Africa to build a comprehensive catalog of genetic variation in natural vector populations. The primary focus is A. gambiae sensu strictu and A. coluzzii, but we will be expanding to include A. arabiensis in the future.
• Describing the structure and history of vector populations – By analysing genetic variation data to characterise key features of natural vector populations, such as patterns of diversity, linkage disequilibrium and recombination, population structure and gene flow, signals of recent selection, and demographic history.
• Connecting genetic variation and population biology with ecology and malaria epidemiology – The aim is to study associations between genotype and broad phenotypes such as ecological specialisation and differences in local malaria epidemiology.