Comparative genomics of malaria parasites and its exploitation in a rodent malaria model

Abstract

There is an abundance of malaria parasite genome sequence from both human-infectious and model parasites. It is very clear that the similarity of the biology of different Plasmodium species is reflected in the largely conserved organisation of their genomes. The differences between the parasite genomes are most obviously confined to the sub-telomeric regions where the multigene families that are involved in antigenic variation are located. Comparitive genomics may help improve the annotation of the conserved more centromeric regions of the prototype Plasmodium genome and pinpoint genes under stringent selection or experiencing rapid drift. Detailed comparison of Plasmodium genomes can catalogue genome recombination, gene grouping and perhaps indicate higher order levels of genome structure. The significant conservation of gene content including genes that encode surface proteins involved in cell-cell interactions means that the more extensive repertoire of experimental possibilities afforded by model parasites can be exploited to provide biological insights that remain relevant to drug and vaccine research. This will be illustrated by data drawn from the research activities in which the LUMC group participates.Contact: Waters@lumc.nl
 http://www.lumc.nl/1040/research/malaria/contact-andy.html