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Science Without Borders

Science Without Borders. Geneticist Dyann Wirth: Understanding the DNA of Parasites. Dyann Wirth Probes Parasites. Geneticist Wirth wants to wipe out malaria by overcoming a parasite’s drug resistance. Plasmodia Are parasitic protozoans Cause malaria Infect humans and mosquitoes.

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Science Without Borders

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  1. Science Without Borders Geneticist Dyann Wirth: Understanding the DNA of Parasites

  2. Dyann Wirth Probes Parasites Geneticist Wirth wants to wipe out malaria by overcoming a parasite’s drug resistance. • Plasmodia • Are parasitic protozoans • Cause malaria • Infect humans and mosquitoes Question: How do Plasmodia survive antimalarial medicines?

  3. Run-ins with anti-malarial medicines Altered DNA passed on to offspring Interactions with human immune system DNA Adaptation Encounters with body chemistry of mosquito Answer: Genetic adaptation DNA: altered over time by adaptation to many events

  4. Deadly Differences • Four species of Plasmodium parasite cause malaria in humans • Plasmodium falciparum How can scientists pinpoint what makes Plasmodium falciparum so deadly? • Most widespread and dangerous • Accounts for 80% of human malarial infections and 90% of deaths

  5. Exploring Parasite Secrets • Scientists study genetic variation: • Across populations • Single-nucleotide • polymorphism (SNP) • Patterns of SNPs Why do scientists study more than one genome? Give an example of a SNP. What is the name for these DNA patterns?

  6. Global Team Science Exploration begins with patient volunteers from malaria clinics on 3 continents

  7. Africa South America Asia Plasmodia Parasites in Human Blood Malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum growing inside human red blood cells

  8. Analyze using computer with specialized software Identify recurring SNPs Extract DNA sequences of parasite from blood of volunteers Recurring SNPs are promising targets for vaccines and new drugs Wirth’s Experiments • Wirth’s method identifies • Differences and commonalities • Genetic adaptation across populations • Promising targets for intervention

  9. The Human Touch Human activity can spread drug resistance How do humans help mosquitoes spread resistance across extremely wide geographic areas? What human-made environments make great breeding sites for mosquito larvae?

  10. The MIDAS Touch Model of Infectious Disease Agent Study • Brings together international network of scientists from different fields • Simulates infectious disease outbreaks • Identifies most effective interventions • Prepares public health experts to control infectious disease disasters before they happen

  11. Research Applications How might knowledge that Wirth and her team have gained about Plasmodium DNA be used to develop an early warning system for malaria drug resistance?

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