[Malaria research in the post-genomic era]

Genomic sequence determination of Plasmodium falciparum and other species of the genus, as well as that of Anopheles gambiae, and human, rat and mouse genome sequencing have completely changed the landscape of fundamental research about malaria. These data should urgently be exploited, in order to develop new tools to combat the disease: new drugs, fine dissection of the cascade of events following infection of the various vector species and vertebrate host, analysis of the complex interaction leading to the pathology or, inversely, contributing to sustained protection. Powerful population biology tools are now available, allowing to investigate genetic exchanges within natural population and to identify factors structuring parasitic and vector populations. Nevertheless, important impediments persist, including the complexity of experimental systems and the unclear relevance of animals models. Numerous challenges are to be faced; they call upon a more efficient organisation of research efforts in the systematic explorations using the powerful novel post-genomic technologies, as well as the development of new tools and experimental models required by functional genomics and integrative biology.