Last Updated: 13/02/2024
SpotMALARIA
Objectives
SpotMalaria is a new project harnessing genomic technologies to monitor the global evolution of malaria parasites, delivering knowledge that will increase the efficiency of malaria elimination and eradication efforts.
The main goal is to provide partners with actionable information to support malaria control interventions. We use state-of-the-art genetic and genomic technologies to rapidly genotype Plasmodium falciparum samples isolated from the finger-prick blood samples.
Malaria control and elimination programmes often face practical obstacles that can be tackled more effectively with information about the parasite population. Novel laboratory methods and analytical tools make it possible to rapidly sequence and genotype Plasmodium genomes from dried blood spots (DBS) collected from malaria patients – allowing for more comprehensive coverage in malaria-endemic areas.
SpotMalaria connects with local and national partners to create sampling and reporting networks to collect large numbers of dried blood spots, using a simple standardised operating procedure (SOP) that is easy to implement in the field.
Genetic Report Card for each sample that partners contribute, showing whether the parasites carry mutations that make them resistant to antimalarial drugs such as artemisinin or its ACT partner drugs. This allows our partners to rapidly detect changes in drug efficacy and to respond to these changes.
Jan 2015
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