Last week saw the simultaneous publishing of the genomes of both the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the mosquito that transmits the most cases of the disease, Anopheles gambiae.
The decoding of the genomes for these species will give researchers better insight that might eventually make its way into new treatments and possibly vaccines for malaria. An immediate insight, for example, was that a single genetic mutation in the malaria parasite accounts for the disease’s ability to resist chloroquine drugs.
An estimated million people die each year from malaria-related complications. The disease has been largely eradicated from the developed world but still flourishes in the developed world which cannot afford the expensive public health measures needed to eradicate the disease.
But at least one vaccine researcher was skeptical that the decoding of the genomes would lead to any near-term changes in vaccine research. Dr. Regina Rabinovitch, who heads up the Malaria Vaccine Initiative, told Reuters that the decoding would have little immediate effect on vaccine research,
It’s not as relevant to us. The technology to translate from the genome to a vaccine is still being developed.
The Malaria Vaccine Initiative does have a number of vaccines in various phases of testing, however. Even those potential vaccines, however, are still at best years away from being widely deployed even on a best case scenario.
Sources:
Genes of most deadly malaria form decoded. National Geographic News, October 2, 2002.
Scientists find secret of malaria’s resistance. Maggie Fox, Reuters, October 2, 2002.
Gene maps do little for malaria vaccine-group. Maggie Fox, Reuters, October 3, 2002.