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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Methods to Increase the Sensitivity of High Resolution Melting Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping in Malaria

Methods to Increase the Sensitivity of High Resolution Melting Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping in Malaria

Published on: November 10, 2015

Unveiling malaria history using ancient genomes.

Loick P Kojom Foko¹

¹Center for Expertise and Research in Applied Biology (CEREBA), Douala 3787, Cameroon; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala 24157, Cameroon.

Trends in Parasitology

|June 18, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers discovered a new Plasmodium falciparum malaria strain in ancient Medici family remains. This finding reveals more about the historical genetic diversity of malaria and its spread across Europe.

Keywords:

Italian Renaissance ancient DNA evolution genetic diversity malaria phylogeny

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Last Updated: Jun 20, 2026

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Published on: July 11, 2025

Area of Science:

Paleogenetics
Historical Epidemiology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Plasmodium falciparum is a parasite responsible for the most severe form of malaria.
Understanding the historical distribution and genetic diversity of P. falciparum is crucial for reconstructing past epidemics and human migrations.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify Plasmodium falciparum haplotypes in ancient DNA from osteological remains.
To investigate the historical genetic diversity and geographic expansion of P. falciparum in Europe.

Main Methods:

Ancient DNA extraction from skeletal remains.
High-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis for pathogen identification.
Phylogenetic analysis to determine haplotype relationships.

Main Results:

Identification of a novel Plasmodium falciparum haplotype in ancient remains.
The identified haplotype provides insights into the genetic makeup of historical malaria parasites.
Evidence supporting the historical expansion of P. falciparum into Europe.

Conclusions:

The study expands the understanding of historical Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity.
Confirms the presence and spread of P. falciparum in Europe during the historical period studied.
Highlights the value of ancient DNA in tracing pathogen evolution and epidemiology.