MalariaGEN

What if another mosquito species may be confounding malaria vector control efforts in West Africa? 🦟 A recent study analysing the genomes of Anopheles mosquito populations from seven West African countries has uncovered compelling evidence of a potential cryptic taxon: https://lnkd.in/eAUsBxed This month, we're looking forward to hearing from Professor Alessandra della Torre from the Sapienza Università di Roma, who will explore genomic evidence for this cryptic taxon, provisionally named the ‘Bissau molecular form.' Since members of the Anopheles gambiae complex look identical, they can only be distinguished through genomics. By analysing data available through the Malaria Vector Genome Observatory, Prof della Torre and colleagues discovered clues that suggest that the Bissau molecular form has a distinct evolutionary lineage with unique genetic traits. Notably, it lacks common insecticide resistance mechanisms found in An. gambiae and An. coluzzii. Join our final journal club of the year to learn more about how this taxon was identified using genomic evidence and what this means for malaria vector control in far-west Africa. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/e_FX4yGb

The wait is over! Applications are now open for the 2025 training course in data analysis for genomic surveillance of African malaria vectors 📢 🖥 About the course Co-delivered by PAMCA Pan-African Mosquito Control Association and MalariaGEN, the 4th iteration of this free virtual training course aims to introduce practical techniques for analysing genomic data for surveillance of Anopheles mosquitoes. Participants will explore key biological concepts, computing tools for essential analyses of Anopheles genomic data, and methods for interpreting findings to guide malaria control policies. 🌍 Who can apply? This training course is tailored for scientists and data analysts in African research groups and disease control programmes who want to learn more about how anopheline genomic data can be used for malaria vector surveillance. Head over to our website for more info on the course modules, key dates, trainee eligibility, and how to apply: https://lnkd.in/eYFZUYBE

Do you use mosquito data resources from the Malaria Vector Genome Observatory? 🦟 Catch up on updates from the past month: - a new cohorts analysis version with updated taxa classifications - upgrades to the malariagen_data python API, which reduces compute time for key analysis functions - the latest research pre-prints and publications ... and more 🔖 https://lnkd.in/eZt89KCb Explore the Malaria Vector Genome Observatory: https://lnkd.in/e2SfDAEN

As malaria genomics initiatives expand in Africa, integrated malaria molecular surveillance (iMMS) systems are essential for evidence-based malaria control policies. 💭 A new forum in Trends in Parasitology looks at initiatives and considerations for setting up and sustaining iMMS capacity in Africa. - In West Africa, regional malaria research hubs are supporting genomic surveillance and evidence-based decision-making for malaria control by supporting the generation, processing, storage, analysis, and integration of malaria molecular data. - A pan-African bioinformatics initiative for malaria vector research and surveillance was launched to maximise the utilisation of genomic data, develop technical expertise, and ensure data sovereignty on the continent. - Lessons can be drawn from successful initiatives in other regions like the Greater Mekong Subregion, where research partnership with national malaria control programmes has helped develop accessible informatics tools to translate malaria molecular surveillance data into actionable evidence. Learn more about the components of sustainable iMMS in Africa: https://lnkd.in/g9jHcSjg West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) - University of Ghana, MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, PAMCA Pan-African Mosquito Control Association, Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit MORU, Vikki Simpson, Lucas Amenga-Etego, Éniyóu Cheryll Oriero (PhD), Olivo Miotto, Estee Torok, Elijah Juma, PhD, Nana Aba Williams, Shavanthi Rajatileka, Cristina Ariani, Jaishree Raman, Deus Ishengoma

The October edition of the MalariaGEN community newsletter is here 📨 In this issue: - The third vector genomics hackathon co-delivered with PAMCA Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (and look out for some exciting training news coming soon!) - Updates from the vector observatory - Fill out our parasite data tools survey - Register for our November Journal Club on cryptic mosquito species in far-west Africa - African Bioinformatics Institute information session Read more: https://lnkd.in/efYCwmAJ Sign up to receive our monthly roundups delivered to your inbox: https://lnkd.in/efwP5mb5

"Malaria genomics, I think, is the last frontier because it's the highest resolution you would get..." 💬 Last month at the #GEM2024 conference, we spoke to Dr Éniyóu Cheryll Oriero (PhD) of the MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM about her career journey in malaria genomics and winning the Dominic Kwiatkowski GEM award. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/enJucWyM And read our blog about Eniyou's idealistic vision for the next ten years of malaria genomics: https://lnkd.in/eFPPiJg9

Did you catch our October Journal Club today? In case you missed it or want to revisit the session, a recording is now up on our YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eSG4Cpcf Here's a snippet of Dr Andrew Balmer discussing genomic clues on emerging artemisinin resistance in East and Northeast Africa 📊

Growing capacity for genomic data analysis in Africa = improved #malaria vector control 🖥️ Today, participants from the 3rd cohort of the PAMCA Pan-African Mosquito Control Association-MalariaGEN training course in data analysis for the genomic surveillance of African malaria vectors met for a virtual hackathon. 👏 The hackathon was an opportunity for this year's training cohort to apply concepts learned during the course to work on genomic data analysis projects. Participants and teaching assistants engaged in a series of productive sessions collaborating with each other to explore, discuss findings, and share feedback on their genomic data analysis projects. These projects aim to fill gaps in current knowledge on malaria mosquitoes by identifying any new patterns and trends in the genomic data that may have a public health significance. The focus of the projects ranges from: 🌍 Extensive exploratory analysis on samples from specific countries 🧪 Investigating resistance patterns to specific insecticides 🧬 Identifying potential new genes linked with insecticide resistance across multiple countries 🦟 Analysing the geographic population structures and genetic diversity of lesser-studied Anopheles species "It is yet another great opportunity to dive into malaria vector genomics data from projects across Africa. Initiatives like these are important for strengthening data analysis capacity building efforts on the continent to maximise the public health impact of vector genomics work." Elijah Juma, PhD, Manager, Vector Genomics Program, PAMCA "Through our close, continuing collaboration with PAMCA, we're delighted to have held this hackathon for the third time. Beyond the learning and exchange of ideas, it is also a platform for initiating and extending collaboration with other individuals and groups in African institutions - this is a key part of what this PAMCA-MalariaGEN training course is all about." Alistair Miles, Malaria Vector Surveillance Lead, Genomic Surveillance Unit (Wellcome Sanger Institute) An exciting announcement on the next iteration of the training course is coming soon - keep an eye on our channels 👀 Meanwhile, workshop modules and data materials remain openly accessible on GitHub for anyone interested in self-directed learning: https://lnkd.in/etfDbaDK

What can genomic data from #malaria parasites tell us about the spread of artemisinin resistance globally and what can we expect in the future? 🗺 These are the questions that Dr Andrew Balmer and colleagues aimed to understand in their recent deep-dive on kelch13 mutations from 112,000+ Plasmodium falciparum genome sequences worldwide: https://lnkd.in/eyfrF4Pv By analysing all publicly available genome sequence data on P. falciparum parasites worldwide, the review follows the emergence of artemisinin partial resistance in Southeast Asia and the concerning parallels now being seen in East and Northeast Africa. 👥 Learn about this comprehensive review at our Journal Club next week - register now: https://lnkd.in/ebu9wCd5 Read an explainer article that highlights key findings from the pre-print: https://lnkd.in/eD3kK72x

Now published: Discovery of Knock-Down Resistance in the Major African Malaria Vector Anopheles funestus 🦟 https://lnkd.in/e4YDBRb3 Using whole genome data available through the Malaria Vector Genome Observatory, researchers found knock-down resistance mutations in Anopheles funestus mosquitoes for the first time. This has been linked to resistance to a banned insecticide, DDT, in Tanzania, with evidence pointing to a legacy of DDT pollution in the area. 🔎 Read our blog about the discovery: https://lnkd.in/dph_2mPV ⏯ Watch our Journal Club where first author Joel Odero explores findings from this paper: https://lnkd.in/eBvEvVvv Polo Brian, Joachim Nwezeobi, PhD, Sanjay Curtis Nagi, PhD, Anastasia Hernandez Koutoucheva, Ismail Nambunga, Emmanuel Kaindoa_CARTA, Heather Ferguson, Eric Ochomo, Chris Clarkson, Alistair Miles, Mara Lawniczak, David Weetman, Francesco Baldini