Last Updated: 14/07/2025
Using spatial statistics and genomics to develop epidemiologically relevant definitions of insecticide resistance in African Malaria Vectors
Objectives
This project will develop and train control programme linked Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) vector biologists to design and analyse genomic data to assess Anopheles population structure and to identify resistance-linked genetic variation. The overarching aim is to develop a nucleus of SSA scientists best able to exploit the power of whole genome sequencing to address questions of public health importance.
Specifically this project will:
- develop and implement standardised, server-based pipelines for the analysis of whole genome sequence data to identify patterns of population structure, genetic diversity and insecticide resistance candidate genes/variants.
- develop spatially- and temporally-explicit sampling frameworks for malaria vectors to permit local-scale genetic tracking and prediction of (i) population connectivity, (ii) temporal stability and (iii) insecticide resistance.
- test extant and novel DNA markers for prediction of resistance in females of malaria transmission age.
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), United Kingdom
In the last 15 years 260 million clinical cases of malaria have been prevented in Sub Saharan Africa, overwhelmingly through the use of insecticides that target the mosquito vector. Insecticide resistance is therefore a major threat to the sustained control of malaria. Whole genome sequencing of malaria mosquitoes has the power to revolutionise our understanding of the evolution of insecticide resistance; allowing us to design new insecticides and to develop strategies that delay the onset of resistance. However genomic technologies will only reach their full potential with improved sampling design and when extensive individual and population level metadata (collection location, infection/ disease state etc) accompany each sequenced sample. For the problem of insecticide resistance in the major malaria vector Anopheles gambiae a deep understanding of the biology lies with Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) scientists whilst the skills to sequence and analyse the data are held by centres in the North. This foundation proposal is designed to draw together these two groups with support from a world-leading spatial statistics group around the key issue of insecticide resistance evolution. The vision is to further develop the programme to a Pan-African level, eventually devolving leadership to our Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) partners who will have the skills and experience to sustain the network.
Mar 2017 — Jun 2019
$647,551
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