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Methods to Increase the Sensitivity of High Resolution Melting Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping in Malaria
Published on: November 10, 2015
Malaria diagnostics and surveillance in the post-genomic era
N W Lucchi1, J Oberstaller, J C Kissinger
1Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Public Health Genomics
|April 4, 2013
Summary
Genomic data enables the development of new molecular targets for malaria diagnosis. These species-specific targets improve sensitivity and specificity for Plasmodium detection.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
- Parasitology
Background:
- Genome sequences for Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, and P. knowlesi are available.
- Population genomics data exists for numerous malaria-endemic regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the use of genomic data for developing novel, species-specific molecular targets for malaria diagnosis.
- To assess the viability of these targets against global Plasmodium sequence variation.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing bioinformatics and genomics to identify potential diagnostic targets.
- Applying selection criteria to maximize target sensitivity and specificity.
- Evaluating identified targets for diagnostic suitability.
Main Results:
- Identified at least one suitable molecular target for each of the three Plasmodium species.
- Novel targets demonstrate advantages over existing molecular diagnostic methods.
- Demonstrated the potential for genome data in developing sensitive and specific diagnostics.
Conclusions:
- Genome sequence data is a powerful tool for creating advanced malaria diagnostic methods.
- The 'omic' era promises significant advancements in malaria diagnosis.
- This approach holds promise for developing diagnostics for other public health pathogens.
