RESMALCHIP: Development of a malaria resistance DNA chip as a public health tool for the management of plasmodium falciparum malaria drug resistance

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 03.0001

Key words (English)

Life Sciences; Medicine; Health; Safety; Scientific Research; Social Aspects

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: QLK-2-CT-2002-01503

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.1.2 Control of infectious diseases

Short description (English)

See abstract

Abstract (English)

Genetic diversity of malaria parasites is a major obstacle to develop rational control strategies against this poverty related disease. Increase of health threatening drug resistance must be monitored and prevented to protect introduced drugs. We propose to evaluate a newly developed DNA micro arrays for drug resistance monitoring in affected areas. Results will allow to capture dynamics of drug resistance and to forecast its development by establishing a community based Genetic Resistance Index, providing tools for rational and evidence based decisions on optimal use of drugs. We will assess the relationship between in vivo drug sensitivity and in vitro susceptibility to several anti-malarials and prevalence of multiple SNPs providing correlates for clinical resistance. Sequencing will identify additional informative codons. We will also explore pftctp as a potential marker for resistance to artemisin in derivatives.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 03.0001