3 October 2002
The malaria genome — and beyond
There are up to half a billion new cases of malaria every year. Here, Nature
publishes the complete genome sequence of Plasmodium falciparum, the main
cause of human malaria. This landmark achievement is accompanied by the complete
sequence of Plasmodium yoelii, the infectious agent in rodent malaria,
providing the malaria community with both a human pathogen and its animal model
simultaneously.
In addition to our other freely available genome sequences, the malaria special issue also contains state-of-the-art global genomic analysis of the primary sequence. This week also sees the publication in Science of the genome sequence of the malaria carrier, the mosquito Anopheles gambiae. The simultaneous publication of these two sets of papers provides insights that will accelerate vaccine and drug design, as well as intervention into malarial transmission.
Nature's Plasmodium sequence papers are available free online in perpetuity, as with all our published genomes. All other related content from Nature's malaria special issue is available free online to registered users throughout October. Additional articles presented here include proteomic and comparative genomic analysis, news features, News & Views, Commentaries, and classic malaria papers and articles handpicked from the pages of Nature.
Plasmodium genomics special issue, 3rd October 2002
Genome
sequence of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum
MALCOLM J. GARDNER et al.
Nature 419,
498–511 (2002); doi:10.1038/nature01097
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Genome sequence and comparative analysis of the model
rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii yoelii
JANE
M. CARLTON et al.
Nature 419, 512–519 (2002); doi:10.1038/nature01099
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A
proteomic view of the Plasmodium falciparum life cycle
LAURENCE
FLORENS et al.
Nature 419, 520–526 (2002); doi:10.1038/nature01107
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Sequence of Plasmodium falciparum chromosomes
1, 3-9 and 13
N. HALL et al.
Nature
419, 527–531 (2002); doi:10.1038/nature01095
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Sequence of Plasmodium falciparum chromosomes
2, 10, 11 and 14
MALCOLM J. GARDNER et al.
Nature 419, 531–534 (2002); doi:10.1038/nature01094
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Sequence
of Plasmodium falciparum chromosome 12
RICHARD
W. HYMAN et al.
Nature 419, 534–537 (2002); doi:10.1038/nature01102
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Analysis
of the Plasmodium falciparum proteome by high-accuracy mass spectrometryEDWIN LASONDER et al.
Nature 419, 537–542 (2002); doi:10.1038/nature01111
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Time to eradicate malaria
The
fight against the disease needs not only money but also coherence.
Nature
419, 417 (2002); doi:10.1038/419417b
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Weak leadership threatens anti-malaria drive
DECLAN BUTLER
Nature 419, 422 (2002); doi:10.1038/419422a
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What difference does a genome make
DECLAN
BUTLER
The malaria parasite's genome should provide a wealth of new scientific
opportunities. But this may heighten tensions over how best to spend the scant
resources allocated to malaria research and control.
Nature 419,
426–428 (2002); doi:10.1038/419426a
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Mosquitoes minus malaria
TOM
CLARKE
If wild populations of the mosquito that transmits malaria were replaced
with insects rendered harmless by genetic engineering, the disease could finally
be defeated. But that remains a big 'if', as Tom Clarke finds out.
Nature
419, 429–430 (2002); doi:10.1038/419429a
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Integrated programme is key to malaria control
Genome publication must not divert attention from basic science
and public-health goals.
Nature 419, 431 (2002); doi:10.1038/419431a
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The Plasmodium genome database
JESSICA
C. KISSINGER et al.
Designing and mining a eukaryotic genomics resource.
Nature 419, 490–492 (2002); doi:10.1038/419490a
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The parasite genome: The grand assault
RUSSELL
F. DOOLITTLE
The complete genome sequence of the parasite responsible for
most of the world's human malaria has been determined. The nature of the genome
meant that this was a difficult project, requiring considerable ingenuity.
Nature 419, 493–494 (2002); doi:10.1038/419493a
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The parasite genome: Biological revelations
DYANN F. WIRTH
The genome of the malaria parasite was
sequenced with the aim of learning more about how the parasite works, and with
the hope that this would reveal potential drug targets. Has that hope been realized?
Nature 419, 495–496 (2002); doi:10.1038/419495a
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The mosquito genome: The post-genomic era opens
ENNIO DE GREGORIO & BRUNO LEMAITRE
The mosquito Anopheles
gambiae is the main agent in the transmission of human malaria. Its genome
sequence will in time help to devise control strategies, but will be a more immediate
boon for insect biologists.
Nature
419, 496–497 (2002); doi:10.1038/419496a
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Malaria research tools up for the future
DIANE GERSHON
Will the malaria genome open the door to
new drugs, vaccines and job opportunities? Di Gershon investigates
NatureJobs
419, 4 (2002); doi:10.1038/nj6906-04a
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Selected malaria papers from Nature's archive
Insight:
Malaria
A specially commissioned set of malaria-related
articles featuring in depth analysis from experts in their fields.
Malaria: Thermoregulation in a parasite's life cycle
JUN FANG & THOMAS F. MCCUTCHAN
Nature 418,
742 (2002); doi:10.1038/418742a
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Synthetic GPI as a candidate anti-toxic vaccine in a
model of malaria
LOUIS SCHOFIELD et al.
Nature 418, 785–789 (2002); doi:10.1038/nature00937
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Genetic diversity and chloroquine selective sweeps in
Plasmodium falciparum
JOHN C. WOOTTON et
al.
Nature 418, 320–323 (2002); doi:10.1038/nature00813
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Chromosome-wide
SNPs reveal an ancient origin for Plasmodium falciparum
JIANBING
MU et al.
Nature 418, 323–324 (2002); doi:10.1038/nature00836
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Climate change and the resurgence of malaria in the
East African highlands
SIMON I. HAY et al.
Nature 415, 905–909 (2002); doi:10.1038/415905a
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Earliest malaria DNA found in Roman baby graveyard
ALISON ABBOTT
Nature 412, 847 (30 Aug 2001)
doi: 10.1038/35091226
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Frequent
ectopic recombination of virulence factor genes in telomeric chromosome clusters
of P. falciparum
LÚCIO H. FREITAS-JUNIOR
et al.
Nature 407, 1018–1022 (2000); doi:10.1038/35039531
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The
complete nucleotide sequence of chromosome 3 of Plasmodium falciparum
S. BOWMAN et al.
Nature
400, 532–538 (1999); doi:10.1038/22964
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Malaria meeting charts rocky path ahead
DECLAN BUTLER
Nature 388, 219 (17 Jul 1997);
doi:10.1038/40731
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