Genome Variation Data on 7,000 Plasmodium falciparum Samples Released

Genome variation data on more than 7,000 malaria parasites from 28 endemic countries was released today by MalariaGEN, a data-sharing network working to build high-quality data resources for malaria research and disease control.

This release represents the work of 49 partner studies at 73 locations in Africa, Asia, South America and Oceania, who together contributed 7,113 samples of Plasmodium falciparum for genome sequencing. At the Wellcome Sanger Institute, each sample was analyzed for over 3 million genetic variants and the data were carefully curated before returning to partners for use in their own research.

"We have created a data resource that is 'analysis ready' for anyone to use, including those without specialist genetics training,” Dr Richard Pearson, co-author of the paper published in Wellcome Open Research explained. “Each annotated dataset sample includes key features that are relevant to malaria control, such as resistance to six major antimalarial drugs, and whether it carries particular structural changes that cause diagnostic malaria tests to fail."

Professor Abdoulaye Djimde, another co-author, added "A quantitative assessment of how malaria parasites respond to public health interventions is key for a successful and sustainable elimination campaign. Over time, this openly available resource will facilitate research into the malaria parasite's evolutionary processes, which will ultimately inform effective and sustainable malaria control and elimination strategies that will be key in ending this devastating disease."