Last Updated: 19/07/2024
Rapid clinical sampling, pooling and targeted deep sequencing of malaria parasites: A novel model for effective malaria molecular surveillance
Objectives
To support the development of extraordinary scientists and emerging leaders from low and middle income countries in order to ensure transformative solutions fully deliver impact in geographies we serve. The project will:
1) Build a cost-efficient malaria molecular surveillance system with high spatial and temporal resolution that covers the entire country.
2) Rapidly monitor key molecular markers of drug and diagnostic resistance in blood samples from malaria patients using high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics approaches.
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), Ghana
The principal investigator recognized the power of genomics and bioinformatics approaches for bolstering malaria surveillance in Ghana and has been a pioneer of bioinformatics training in the country. She introduced expertise for genotyping molecular markers of drug resistance, which was applied and eventually led to the change in the national policy on first-line treatment of malaria and hence leading this project to produce country-wide, near real-time surveillance data to better inform the control and elimination efforts of the National Malaria Control Program of Ghana.
Cross-sectional survey in households will be conducted across the country and collect around 10,000 blood samples from children aged 6-59 months during the wet season when there is high malaria transmission.
Oct 2021 — Sep 2026
$977,332
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