Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Josquin Daron, Anne Boissiere, Larson Boundenga, Barthelemy Ngoubangoye, Sandrine Houze, Celine Arnathau, Christine Sidobre, Jean-Francois Trape, Patrick Durand, Francois Renaud, Michael C. Fontaine, Franck Prugnolle, Virginie Rougeron
Summary: The research suggests that Plasmodium vivax may have originated from a single area in Asia, and is closely related to P. vivax-like. By investigating genetic variations, notable geographical patterns were identified.
Article
Parasitology
Jacques D. Charlwood, Erzelia V. E. Tomas, Sonia Enosse, Sara P. Saija, Jannick Sahlholdt, Lourenco Filemon, Ayubo Kampango
Summary: With the possibility of malaria elimination, the focus of interventions shifts from vector control to disease control. Establishment of village-based malaria posts is an effective way of providing adequate diagnosis and treatment in villages such as Furvela. Early treatment seeking behavior is crucial in the efficacy of malaria treatment.
Review
Parasitology
John Okombo, Mariko Kanai, Ioanna Deni, David A. Fidock
Summary: Recent progress in genomics and molecular genetics has enabled novel approaches to study gene functions in disease-causing pathogens. In the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, genome-based analyses, site-directed genome editing, and genetic systems have been invaluable in defining antimalarial resistance and accelerating drug discovery efforts. These approaches have contributed to advancing our understanding of Plasmodium biology and characterizing genomic loci associated with antimalarial drug responses.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Timothee Bonnet, Michael B. Morrissey, Pierre de Villemereuil, Susan C. Alberts, Peter Arcese, Liam D. Bailey, Stan Boutin, Patricia Brekke, Lauren J. N. Brent, Glauco Camenisch, Anne Charmantier, Tim H. Clutton-Brock, Andrew Cockburn, David W. Coltman, Alexandre Courtiol, Eve Davidian, Simon R. Evans, John G. Ewen, Marco Festa-Bianchet, Christophe de Franceschi, Lars Gustafsson, Oliver P. Honer, Thomas M. Houslay, Lukas F. Keller, Marta Manser, Andrew G. McAdam, Emily McLean, Pirmin Nietlisbach, Helen L. Osmond, Josephine M. Pemberton, Erik Postma, Jane M. Reid, Alexis Rutschmann, Anna W. Santure, Ben C. Sheldon, Jon Slate, Celine Teplitsky, Marcel E. Visser, Bettina Wachter, Loeske E. B. Kruuk
Summary: This study analyzed long-term data from 19 wild bird and mammal populations and found that additive genetic variance in relative fitness is often substantial and, on average, twice that of previous estimates. These rates of contemporary adaptive evolution can affect population dynamics and suggest that natural selection has the potential to partly mitigate effects of current environmental change.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juanita Gutierrez-Valencia, Marco Fracassetti, Robert Horvath, Benjamin Laenen, Aurelie Desamore, Andreas D. Drouzas, Magne Friberg, Filip Kolar, Tanja Slotte
Summary: The study found that intra-sexual competition shapes the evolution of pollen-expressed genes, with the intensity of sexual selection decreasing as self-fertilization rates increase.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Wei Huang, Xinyi Wang, Boye Liu, Tobias L. Lenz, Yangyang Peng, Lu Dong, Yanyun Zhang
Summary: The study developed a next-generation sequencing protocol to analyze the MHC class I genes in Godlewski's buntings. They identified 184 functional alleles and found evidence of historical and contemporary selection on MHC genes. They also discovered a nominal association between specific MHC supertypes and infection of malaria parasite lineages.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Abdessamad Ouhrouch, Simon Boitard, Frederic Boyer, Bertrand Servin, Anne Da Silva, Francois Pompanon, Abdelmajid Haddioui, Badr Benjelloun
Summary: Sheep farming is a major source of meat in Morocco and plays a key role in the country's agriculture. The study revealed that Moroccan local sheep breeds exhibit high genetic diversity and a large set of adaptive variations, making them a valuable genetic resource for the conservation of sheep in the context of climate change.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pengge Qian, Xu Wang, Cuirong Guan, Xin Fang, Mengya Cai, Chuan-qi Zhong, Yong Cui, Yanbin Li, Luming Yao, Huiting Cui, Kai Jiang, Jing Yuan
Summary: This study reveals the structure and function of the apical polar ring (APR) in the Plasmodium ookinete, as well as the mechanism by which APR mediates the apical positioning of subpellicular microtubules (SPMTs). This has important implications for understanding the morphogenesis and transmission of malaria parasites.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Miho Usui, Kim C. Williamson
Summary: Blocking malaria transmission is crucial for malaria control programs, especially in endemic regions with high levels of asymptomatic infections. New strategies targeting the transmissible sexual stages of the parasite, gametocytes, are needed. Research focuses on understanding genes required for gametocyte production and identifying unanswered questions, as well as utilizing tools to address these issues.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Yaozheng Xu, Dan Qiao, Yuhao Wen, Yifei Bi, Yuxi Chen, Zhenghui Huang, Liwang Cui, Jian Guo, Yaming Cao
Summary: PfAP2-G2 plays a crucial role in regulating gametocyte development in Plasmodium falciparum, with its knockout resulting in a significant decrease in mature gametocytes and an impact on the gender ratio of gametocytes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jon H. Eiriksson, Ismo Stranden, Guosheng Su, Esa A. Mantysaari, Ole F. Christensen
Summary: In genomic prediction of crossbred animals, accounting for the breed origin of alleles (BOA) can improve the accuracy of genomic breeding value prediction. This study investigated different measures of breed proportions and heterozygosity derived from BOA, and validated their effectiveness for predicting production traits in crossbred dairy cows. The results showed that models incorporating BOA had higher predictive ability compared to models using only global breed proportions.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Severina Klaus, Patrick Binder, Juyeop Kim, Marta Machado, Charlotta Funaya, Violetta Schaaf, Darius Klaschka, Aiste Kudulyte, Marek Cyrklaff, Vibor Laketa, Thomas Hoefer, Julien Guizetti, Nils B. Becker, Friedrich Frischknecht, Ulrich S. Schwarz, Markus Ganter
Summary: This study shows that individual nuclei replicate their DNA at different times, despite sharing a common cytoplasm. Mathematical modeling suggests the existence of a limiting factor that slows down nuclear multiplication. Experimental data supports the prediction that temporally overlapping DNA replication events are slower than partially or non-overlapping events. These findings suggest the presence of evolutionary pressure that selects for asynchronous DNA replication to balance resources and rapid pathogen proliferation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jinyu Chu, Yunlong Ma, Hui Song, Qianqian Zhao, Xiaoran Wei, Yiyuan Yan, Shijie Fan, Baogui Zhou, Shijun Li, Chunyan Mou
Summary: The genetic improvement of economic traits in chicken makes it an excellent model for studying the genetic changes and molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic diversity and artificial selection. By analyzing the sequencing data of 477 samples from 25 breeds, we identified SNPs, InDels, and SVs, and found that high-intensity artificial selection accelerates population differentiation. We also discovered that human-driven traits in chicken are controlled by polygenes and major genes, such as SOX5 and IGF1 for body size, and NEDD4 for sperm storage capacity. Our findings provide important insights into how genomic patterns shape livestock phenotypes.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Aoua Coulibaly, Mouhamadou Fadel Diop, Aminatou Kone, Antoine Dara, Amed Ouattara, Nicola Mulder, Olivo Miotto, Mahamadou Diakite, Abdoulaye Djimde, Alfred Amambua-Ngwa
Summary: Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases in Africa, especially in Mali, have a high genetic diversity that allows the parasite to adapt to environmental changes, develop drug resistance, and evade the host immune system. This study analyzed genetic variation in 830 Malian P. falciparum isolates, and found high complexity of infections with geographical and temporal variations. Drug resistance mutations were common and varied in frequency across different locations and time periods. Immune-related loci also showed differentiation between populations. The results highlight the importance of considering genetic diversity in designing malaria elimination strategies.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Ivana Plavsin, Jerko Gunjaca, Vlatko Galic, Dario Novoselovic
Summary: The combination of genomic selection and mixograph can help in pre-selecting high-performing progenies in wheat breeding. The size of the training population was found to be crucial for achieving higher prediction accuracies while marker density is not a major limitation.
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Elvis Twumasi Aboagye, Samuel Mawuli Adadey, Edmond Wonkam-Tingang, Lucas Amenga-Etego, Gordon A. Awandare, Ambroise Wonkam
Summary: The genetic causes of non-syndromic hearing impairment are highly diverse, with over 124 distinct genes identified. This study aimed to systematically review the global distribution and origin of founder variants associated with hearing impairment.
Review
Immunology
Aniefiok John Udoakang, Alexandra Lindsey Djomkam Zune, Kesego Tapela, Nora Nghochuzie Nganyewo, Frances Ngozi Olisaka, Claudia Adzo Anyigba, Sylvia Tawiah-Eshun, Irene Amoakoh Owusu, Lily Paemka, Gordon A. Awandare, Peter Kojo Quashie
Summary: In December 2019, a novel pneumonic condition called COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 emerged in China and spread globally. COVID-19 is more severe in individuals with underlying medical conditions such as TB and HIV/AIDS. Co-infections of SARS-CoV-2 with HIV and Mtb have been reported, which may impact disease progression. Therefore, it is important to understand the biological and epidemiological interactions between COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, and TB.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Samuel Odarkwei Blankson, Lauriane Rietmeyer, Patrick Tettey, Liliane Dikroh, Bernard Tornyigah, Rafiou Adamou, Azizath Moussiliou, Caroline Padounou, Annick Amoussou, Benedicta Ayiedu Mensah, Maroufou J. J. Alao, Gordon Awandare, Nicaise Tuikue Ndam, Christian Roussilhon, Rachida Tahar
Summary: This study evaluated the levels of plasma soluble neopterin in severe malaria patients and assessed its prognostic accuracy. The results showed that neopterin levels were higher in patients with severe malarial anemia and in patients who died from the disease. Plasma neopterin levels may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting fatality in severe falciparum malaria patients.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Drissa Konate, Sory I. Diawara, Nafomon Sogoba, Jeff Shaffer, Bourama Keita, Abdourhamane Cisse, Ibrahim Sanogo, Ilo Dicko, Merepen dite Agnes Guindo, Saidou Balam, Abdouramane Traore, Salimata Kante, Assitan Dembele, Fatoumata Kasse, Larissa Denou, Seidina A. S. Diakite, Karim Traore, Sidibe M'Baye Thiam, Vincent Sanogo, Mahamoudou Toure, Ayouba Diarra, George W. Agak, Seydou Doumbia, Mahamadou Diakite
Summary: Despite the reduced burden of malaria in children under five, the implementation of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) at scale remains a concern in high transmission areas. Low coverage, increase in malaria risk for older children, and rebound in malaria incidence after drug administration cessation are reported challenges. This study evaluated the impact of a fifth round of SMC on older children in a rural malaria endemic area. The additional round resulted in a significant reduction in malaria incidence, highlighting the effectiveness of SMC.
PARASITE EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abban Edward Kofi, David Adjem Agyemang, Anita Ghansah, Gordon A. Awandare, Hashom Mohd Hakim, Hussein Omar Khan, Abd Rashid Nur Haslindawaty, Mohd Yusmaidie Aziz, Geoffrey Keith Chambers, Hisham Atan Edinur
Summary: In this study, allele frequencies for 15 STR loci in the Ghanaian population were obtained. The statistical analyses demonstrated the usefulness of these loci for forensic identification and parentage analysis. Furthermore, the genetic similarities between the Ghanaian and other African populations, particularly Nigerians, were observed.
BIOCHEMICAL GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Rabia Faridi, Rizwan Yousaf, Shoujun Gu, Sayaka Inagaki, Amy E. Turriff, Keith Pelstring, Bin Guan, Amelia Naik, Andrew J. Griffith, Samuel Mawuli Adadey, Elvis Twumasi Aboagye, Gordon A. Awandare, Robert J. Morell, Ekaterini Tsilou, Amanda G. Noyes, Laura A. G. Sulmonte, Ambroise Wonkam, Isabelle Schrauwen, Suzanne M. Leal, Hela Azaiez, Carmen C. Brewer, Sheikh Riazuddin, Robert B. Hufnagel, Michael Hoa, Wadih M. Zein, J. Karl de Dios, Thomas B. Friedman
Summary: This study used exome sequencing to investigate three small unrelated families with a combination of hereditary deafness and retinal dystrophy and found that the genetic factors causing this combination are heterogeneous. The results suggest that variations in the LRP2 gene may result in hearing impairment. These findings expand the phenotypic spectrum associated with pathogenic variants in the LRP2 gene and emphasize the importance of considering these variants in individuals with a combination of hereditary hearing loss and retinal dystrophy.
Article
Microbiology
Alfred Amambua-Ngwa, Katrina A. A. Button-Simons, Xue Li, Sudhir Kumar, Katelyn Vendrely Brenneman, Marco Ferrari, Lisa A. A. Checkley, Meseret T. T. Haile, Douglas A. A. Shoue, Marina McDew-White, Sarah M. M. Tindall, Ann Reyes, Elizabeth Delgado, Haley Dalhoff, James K. K. Larbalestier, Roberto Amato, Richard D. D. Pearson, Alexander B. B. Taylor, Francois H. Nosten, Umberto D'Alessandro, Dominic Kwiatkowski, Ian H. H. Cheeseman, Stefan H. I. Kappe, Simon V. V. Avery, David J. J. Conway, Ashley M. M. Vaughan, Michael T. T. Ferdig, Timothy J. C. Anderson
Summary: Chloroquine resistance in Plasmodium falciparum is studied using population genomics, genetic crosses, and gene editing. The study reveals the role of a second vacuolar transporter, pfaat1, in resistance and compensatory evolution. The analyses show that pfaat1 may contribute to regional differences in resistance evolution and affect parasite resistance and fitness by manipulating amino acid and drug transport.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Antoine Claessens, Lindsay B. Stewart, Eleanor Drury, Ambroise D. Ahouidi, Alfred Amambua-Ngwa, Mahamadou Diakite, Dominic P. Kwiatkowski, Gordon A. Awandare, David J. Conway
Summary: Experimental studies on malaria parasites have mainly been focused on laboratory-adapted lines, providing limited understanding of natural infections. This study analyzed genome sequence data from West African isolates to explore the genetic diversity and adaptation of parasites during culture. Loss-of-function mutants were found in multiple-genotype isolates, affecting genes observed in single-genotype isolates. The study also revealed non-identical sibling parasites, illustrating the natural genetic structure within endemic populations.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Livinus N. Tangi, Marcelus U. Ajonina, Marcel N. Moyeh, Hanesh F. Chi, Vincent N. Ntui, Pilate N. Kwi, Eric C. T. Toussi, Mary Progress S. Fung, FohTella Fah, Joel M. Mayaba, Franklin T. Formilack, Veronica N. Ntasin, Theobald M. Nji, Emmanuel V. Yenshu, Eric A. Achidi, Alfred Amambua-Ngwa, Tobias O. Apinjoh
Summary: Despite control interventions, malaria remains a major health concern in Cameroon. This study assessed the influence of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to malaria on the prevalence of infection. The findings highlight the need for improved adherence to control measures in order to eliminate malaria.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jose Luis Ruiz, Susanne Reimering, Juan David Escobar-Prieto, Nicolas M. B. Brancucci, Diego F. Echeverry, Abdirahman Abdi, Matthias Marti, Elena Gomez-Diaz, Thomas D. Otto
Summary: Recent advances in long read technologies have allowed large consortia to sequence all eukaryotes on Earth and individual laboratories to sequence their species of interest with low investment. The ILRA pipeline has been implemented to correct long read-based assemblies, resulting in improved genome sequences and reduced errors.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Nora Nghochuzie Nganyewo, Fatoumata Bojang, Eniyou Cheryll Oriero, Ndey Fatou Drammeh, Olumide Ajibola, Haddijatou Mbye, Aminata Seedy Jawara, Simon Corea, Gordon Akanzuwine Awandare, Umberto D'Alessandro, Lucas N. Amenga-Etego, Alfred Amambua-Ngwa
Summary: The study found an increasing mixed infection with sialic acid-independent invasion pathways by P. falciparum clinical isolates in the Western part of Gambia.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Haddijatou Mbye, Fatoumata Bojang, Fatou Kene Jaiteh, Aminata Jawara, Bekai Njie, Simon Correa, Umberto D'Alessandro, Alfred Amambua-Ngwa
Summary: Development of novel antimalarial drugs is essential due to the inevitability of drug resistance. In this study, 125 compounds from MMV pathogen box were tested, and 16 and 22 compounds were found to be more potent than chloroquine according to IC50 and GR50 analyses. Among the 7 compounds with higher potencies, MMV667494 exhibited the highest cytotoxicity to parasites. MMV010576 was slower but more potent than dihydroartemisinin after 72 hours of exposure. However, MMV634140 showed potential drug tolerance and the risk of resistance development in natural Gambian isolates.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
William Haese-Hill, Kathryn Crouch, Thomas D. Otto
Summary: In this study, peaks2utr, an easy-to-use Python command line tool, is presented to accurately annotate 30 UTRs for a given canonical annotation using UTR enrichment of single-cell technologies, such as 10x Chromium. This addresses the open problem of annotation of nonmodel organisms.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Abdoulie Kanteh, Haruna S. Jallow, Jarra Manneh, Bakary Sanyang, Mariama A. Kujabi, Sainabou Laye Ndure, Sheikh Jarju, Alhagie Papa Sey, K. Dabiri Damilare, Yaya Bah, Sana Sambou, Gibril Jarju, Buba Manjang, Abubacarr Jagne, Sheikh Omar Bittaye, Mustapha Bittaye, Karen Forrest, Desta Alamerew Tiruneh, Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, Sheriffo Jagne, Stephane Hue, Nuredin Mohammed, Alfred Amambua-Ngwa, Beate Kampmann, Umberto D'Alessandro, Thushan de Silva, Anna Roca, Abdul Karim Sesay
Summary: This study describes the genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infections in The Gambia, showing the presence of different viral variants or lineages during the four waves coinciding with the rainy season. The study highlights the importance of implementing well-structured genomic surveillance at the national level to detect and monitor emerging and circulating variants.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)