Molecular Approaches to Malaria (MAM) Conference – 2024: Opening Day

MESA Correspondents bring you cutting-edge coverage from the MAM 2024 Conference “Malaria in a Changing World”.

Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony, moderated by Michelle Boyle (Burnet Institute, Australia) and Chris Tonkin (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research – WEHI, Australia),  commenced with an acknowledgement to the country by Ebony Hickey. The Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC) welcomed conference delegates with a series of traditional dances. Boyle introduced Jean-Luc Bodmer from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, who delivered the plenary talk on behalf of Janice Culpepper who was unable to attend the conference in person. The opening ceremony continued with a touching and inspirational tribute to Dominic Kwiatkowski by Julian Rayner (University of Cambridge, UK) and a compilation of memories from colleagues who highlighted Kwiatkowski’s passion, excellence and mentorship in malaria genomic research.

Plenary talk – New Tools and Strategies for Malaria Elimination

Jean-Luc Bodmer (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – BMGF, USA) reported on the Gates Foundation’s three pillars of strategies aimed at defining the pathway to malaria eradication by 2040. The three pillars involve driving down the malaria burden (using surveillance, chemoprevention, and case management), shortening the endgame (via tools that target remaining cases e.g. long duration prophylaxis) and getting ahead of antimalarial resistance. Using the lessons learnt from the polio endgame, Bodmer highlighted the need to get ahead of resistance and prioritise investment in endgame research and development (R&D) tools. BMGF is currently investing in four portfolios of transformational tools, which are (1) self-sustaining gene drive, (2) malaria elimination vaccine, (3) single-encounter radical cure drug with long-acting endectocide, and (4) improved package tools for annual control. Bodmer emphasises the need for new tools that are cost-effective and deployable for use in impacted countries. When investing and developing new tools, Bodmer encourages the delegates to reflect on the stagnancy of funding in malaria research. He emphasises the need to reallocate funds from other areas to support the development of new tools and incentives. Additionally, he reminds delegates to adopt a regional perspective, take local action, and foster global partnerships. The plenary closed with the statement ‘Malaria delenda est, malaria must be destroyed’.

This report is brought to you by the MESA Correspondents Angela Rumaseb, Katelyn Stanhope, Mohini Anjna Shibu and Nutpakal Ketprasit. Senior editorial support has been facilitated by Carla Proietti, Emma McHugh and Danushka Marapana.