Malaria Research and Control

The genome trilogy of Anopheles stephensi, an urban malaria vector, reveals structure of a locus associated with adaptation to environmental heterogeneity

The paper reports the genome assembly of Anopheles stephensi, identifies a 16 Mbp inversion associated with adaptation, and shows its prevalence in both wild and laboratory populations.

Transcriptome analysis of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Benin reveals specific gene expression associated with cerebral malaria

The paper analyzes transcriptomes of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Benin to identify gene expression patterns associated with cerebral malaria.

Xeno-monitoring of molecular drivers of artemisinin and partner drug resistance in P. falciparum populations in malaria vectors across Cameroon

The paper analyzes genetic resistance markers in Plasmodium falciparum from malaria vectors in Cameroon to assess artemisinin and partner drug resistance.

5WBF: A low-cost and straightforward whole blood filtration method suitable for whole-genome sequencing of Plasmodium falciparum clinical isolates

This paper introduces a low-cost filtration method (5WBF) to enrich Plasmodium falciparum DNA from whole blood, enabling effective whole-genome sequencing even at low parasitemias.

Modelling spatiotemporal trends in the frequency of genetic mutations conferring insecticide target-site resistance in African malaria vector species

The paper develops a Bayesian spatiotemporal model to analyze the spread of genetic mutations conferring insecticide resistance in malaria vectors, revealing geographic and temporal patterns of resistance.

Structure of an atypical homodimeric actin capping protein from the malaria parasite

This paper presents the crystal structure of a homodimeric actin capping protein from Plasmodium berghei and describes its atypical regulatory effects on actin dynamics.

Metabolic competition between lipid metabolism and histone methylation regulates sexual differentiation in human malaria parasites.

The paper shows that metabolic competition for S-adenosylmethionine between histone methyltransferases and phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase regulates sexual differentiation in Plasmodium falciparum.

Structural basis of Plasmodium vivax inhibition by antibodies binding to the circumsporozoite protein repeats

This study reveals the structural basis of Plasmodium vivax inhibition by antibodies targeting the CSP repeats through molecular dynamics simulations and crystal structure analysis of inhibitory monoclonal antibodies.

Population-level genome-wide STR typing in Plasmodium species reveals higher resolution population structure and genetic diversity relative to SNP typing

This study genotypes STRs in Plasmodium species using HipSTR and compares genetic diversity and population structure to SNP data, revealing higher resolution and unique signals.

Integration of whole genome sequencing and transcriptomics reveals a complex picture of insecticide resistance in the major malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii

This study integrates whole genome sequencing and transcriptomics to identify multiple factors contributing to insecticide resistance in Anopheles coluzzii.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals translationally relevant processes in mouse models of malaria

This study compares transcriptomic profiles between human malaria patients and mouse models to identify which models best reflect human disease features.

Distinguishing gene flow between malaria parasite populations

This paper evaluates the ability to distinguish gene flow levels between malaria parasite populations using real and simulated data, comparing estimators and determining marker and sample thresholds.

The protective effect of sickle cell haemoglobin against severe malaria depends on parasite genotype

The paper investigates the association between host sickle cell haemoglobin and parasite genetic variation in malaria severity, finding that parasite alleles linked to HbS show strong linkage disequilibrium and frequency covariation with HbS.

Transcriptome Profiles of Anopheles gambiae Harboring Natural Low-Level Plasmodium Infection Reveal Adaptive Advantages for the Mosquito

This study uses RNAseq to analyze transcriptomes of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes with low-level Plasmodium infections, finding increased olfactory and fitness-related gene expression.

Functional analysis of genome-wide dataset from 17000 individuals identifies multiple candidate malaria resistance genes enriched in malaria pathogenic pathways

The paper identifies 57 and 125 candidate genes for severe malaria resistance using GWAS data from 17,000 individuals, finding enrichment in malaria pathogenic pathways.

Population genomics reveal distinct and diverging populations of An. minimus in Cambodia - a widespread malaria vector in Southeast Asia

The paper uses whole-genome sequencing to analyze genetic diversity and population structure of An. minimus in Cambodia, identifying four distinct populations with unique selection signals.

Characterization of apicomplexan amino acid transporters (ApiATs) in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

This study characterizes ApiATs in Plasmodium falciparum, showing their localization to the parasite plasma membrane and partial redundancy in asexual proliferation but not gametocytogenesis.

Impact of sickle cell trait hemoglobin on the intraerythrocytic transcriptional program of Plasmodium falciparum

This study identifies transcriptomic changes in Plasmodium falciparum in HbAS red blood cells, showing altered protein export and stress response mechanisms that may contribute to malaria protection.

The genome of the zoonotic malaria parasite Plasmodium simium reveals adaptations to host-switching

The paper sequences the genome of Plasmodium simium to study its evolutionary history and identify genetic adaptations enabling host-switching to humans.

A whole transcriptomic approach reveals novel mechanisms of organophosphate and pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles arabiensis from Ethiopia

This paper uses transcriptomic analysis to identify novel resistance mechanisms in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes resistant to organophosphates and pyrethroids in Ethiopia.

Common host variation drives malaria parasite fitness in healthy human red cells

The paper investigates how common host red blood cell variation affects Plasmodium falciparum parasite growth in healthy humans, finding that non-pathogenic polymorphisms in RBC proteins significantly explain parasite fitness variation.

A prioritized and validated resource of mitochondrial proteins in Plasmodium identifies leads to unique biology

The paper identifies and validates a comprehensive list of mitochondrial proteins in Plasmodium falciparum using Bayesian statistics and experimental confirmation.

Novel genome assemblies and Evolutionary Dynamics of North American Anopheles mosquitoes

This study presents novel genome assemblies for four North American Anopheles mosquito species and identifies genes under positive selection that may contribute to their vectorial capacity.

Elucidating relationships between P.falciparum prevalence and measures of genetic diversity with a combined genetic-epidemiological model of malaria

This paper develops a combined genetic-epidemiological model to explore relationships between Plasmodium falciparum prevalence and genetic diversity, finding that mixed infection statistics respond quickly to prevalence changes.

Involvement of translocon complex in hemoglobin import from infected erythrocyte cytoplasm into the Plasmodium parasite

This study identifies PfHDP's role in hemoglobin uptake by Plasmodium parasites and shows its interaction with the translocon complex, suggesting it as a target for antimalarial drugs.

The apicoplast link to fever-survival and artemisinin-resistance in the malaria parasite

The paper identifies genes in Plasmodium falciparum that enable survival at febrile temperatures and links these to artemisinin resistance through apicoplast-related pathways.

Mechanistic within-host models of the asexual Plasmodium falciparum infection: a review and analytical assessment

The paper reviews and analyzes mechanistic within-host models of asexual Plasmodium falciparum infection, finding that models often attribute inter-individual variability to randomness rather than mechanistic factors.

CRISPR/Cas9 modified An. gambiae carrying kdr mutation L1014F functionally validate its contribution in insecticide resistance and interaction with metabolic enzymes.

This study functionally validates the L1014F kdr mutation's role in pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles gambiae and shows its interaction with detoxification enzymes.

Improving statistical power in severe malaria genetic association studies by augmenting phenotypic precision

The paper improves statistical power in severe malaria genetic studies by addressing phenotypic imprecision through a probabilistic diagnostic model and data-tilting approach.

Inflammation and Cellular Stress Induced Neurological Sequelae of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria

This study analyzes transcriptome data from Plasmodium falciparum infections to identify neurological sequelae associated with different severities of malaria.