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Credit: James Gathany
A genetic “barcode” for malaria parasites could be used to track and contain the spread of the disease, according to research published in Nature Communications.
Investigators analyzed the DNA of more than 700 Plasmodium falciparum parasites taken from patients in East and West Africa, South East Asia, Oceania, and South America.
And this revealed several short genetic sequences that were distinct in the DNA of parasites from certain geographic regions.
The team used this information to design a genetic barcode of 23 single-nucleotide polymorphisms that can be used to identify the source of new malaria infections.
“Being able to determine the geographic origin of malaria parasites has enormous potential in containing drug-resistance and eliminating malaria,” said study author Taane Clark, DPhil, of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in the UK.
“Our work represents a breakthrough in the genetic barcoding of P falciparum, as it reveals very specific and accurate sequences for different geographic settings. We are currently extending the barcode to include other populations, such as India, Central America, southern Africa, and the Caribbean, and plan to include genetic markers for other types malaria, such as P vivax.”
Previous candidates for malaria genetic barcodes have relied on identifying DNA markers found in the parasite’s cell nucleus, which shows too much genetic variation between individual parasites to be used accurately.
But Dr Clark and his colleagues studied the DNA found in 2 parts of the parasite’s cells outside of the nucleus—the mitochondria and the apicolasts, which are only inherited through maternal lines, so their genes remain much more stable over generations.
By identifying short sequences in the DNA of the parasite’s mitochondria and apicoplasts that were specific for different geographic locations, the investigators were able to design a genetic barcode that is 92% predictive, stable, and geographically informative over time.
“By taking finger-prick bloodspots from malaria patients and using rapid gene sequencing technologies on small amounts of parasite material, local agencies could use this new barcode to quickly and accurately identify where a form of the parasite may have come from and help in programs of malaria elimination and resistance containment,” said study author Cally Roper, PhD, also of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
The investigators noted, however, that this barcode is limited because their study lacks representation of the Indian sub-continent, Central America, southern Africa, and the Caribbean, owing to the scarcity of sequence data from these regions.
Additionally, there’s a need to study more samples from East Africa, a region of high genetic diversity, high migration, and poor predictive ability. 
Credit: James Gathany
A genetic “barcode” for malaria parasites could be used to track and contain the spread of the disease, according to research published in Nature Communications.
Investigators analyzed the DNA of more than 700 Plasmodium falciparum parasites taken from patients in East and West Africa, South East Asia, Oceania, and South America.
And this revealed several short genetic sequences that were distinct in the DNA of parasites from certain geographic regions.
The team used this information to design a genetic barcode of 23 single-nucleotide polymorphisms that can be used to identify the source of new malaria infections.
“Being able to determine the geographic origin of malaria parasites has enormous potential in containing drug-resistance and eliminating malaria,” said study author Taane Clark, DPhil, of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in the UK.
“Our work represents a breakthrough in the genetic barcoding of P falciparum, as it reveals very specific and accurate sequences for different geographic settings. We are currently extending the barcode to include other populations, such as India, Central America, southern Africa, and the Caribbean, and plan to include genetic markers for other types malaria, such as P vivax.”
Previous candidates for malaria genetic barcodes have relied on identifying DNA markers found in the parasite’s cell nucleus, which shows too much genetic variation between individual parasites to be used accurately.
But Dr Clark and his colleagues studied the DNA found in 2 parts of the parasite’s cells outside of the nucleus—the mitochondria and the apicolasts, which are only inherited through maternal lines, so their genes remain much more stable over generations.
By identifying short sequences in the DNA of the parasite’s mitochondria and apicoplasts that were specific for different geographic locations, the investigators were able to design a genetic barcode that is 92% predictive, stable, and geographically informative over time.
“By taking finger-prick bloodspots from malaria patients and using rapid gene sequencing technologies on small amounts of parasite material, local agencies could use this new barcode to quickly and accurately identify where a form of the parasite may have come from and help in programs of malaria elimination and resistance containment,” said study author Cally Roper, PhD, also of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
The investigators noted, however, that this barcode is limited because their study lacks representation of the Indian sub-continent, Central America, southern Africa, and the Caribbean, owing to the scarcity of sequence data from these regions.
Additionally, there’s a need to study more samples from East Africa, a region of high genetic diversity, high migration, and poor predictive ability.
Credit: James Gathany
A genetic “barcode” for malaria parasites could be used to track and contain the spread of the disease, according to research published in Nature Communications.
Investigators analyzed the DNA of more than 700 Plasmodium falciparum parasites taken from patients in East and West Africa, South East Asia, Oceania, and South America.
And this revealed several short genetic sequences that were distinct in the DNA of parasites from certain geographic regions.
The team used this information to design a genetic barcode of 23 single-nucleotide polymorphisms that can be used to identify the source of new malaria infections.
“Being able to determine the geographic origin of malaria parasites has enormous potential in containing drug-resistance and eliminating malaria,” said study author Taane Clark, DPhil, of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in the UK.
“Our work represents a breakthrough in the genetic barcoding of P falciparum, as it reveals very specific and accurate sequences for different geographic settings. We are currently extending the barcode to include other populations, such as India, Central America, southern Africa, and the Caribbean, and plan to include genetic markers for other types malaria, such as P vivax.”
Previous candidates for malaria genetic barcodes have relied on identifying DNA markers found in the parasite’s cell nucleus, which shows too much genetic variation between individual parasites to be used accurately.
But Dr Clark and his colleagues studied the DNA found in 2 parts of the parasite’s cells outside of the nucleus—the mitochondria and the apicolasts, which are only inherited through maternal lines, so their genes remain much more stable over generations.
By identifying short sequences in the DNA of the parasite’s mitochondria and apicoplasts that were specific for different geographic locations, the investigators were able to design a genetic barcode that is 92% predictive, stable, and geographically informative over time.
“By taking finger-prick bloodspots from malaria patients and using rapid gene sequencing technologies on small amounts of parasite material, local agencies could use this new barcode to quickly and accurately identify where a form of the parasite may have come from and help in programs of malaria elimination and resistance containment,” said study author Cally Roper, PhD, also of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
The investigators noted, however, that this barcode is limited because their study lacks representation of the Indian sub-continent, Central America, southern Africa, and the Caribbean, owing to the scarcity of sequence data from these regions.
Additionally, there’s a need to study more samples from East Africa, a region of high genetic diversity, high migration, and poor predictive ability.