Supporting clinicians and researchers
Capacity building is an important component of our work. Over the years, we’ve helped our partners in malaria-endemic countries to build their capacity to undertake ethics research, develop standardised methods for sampling and laboratory procedures, and perform genetic data analysis.
Our capacity building activities have included a Data Bursary Scheme and support to collaborative research networks. We also assist our partners and the broader scientific community through hands-on scientific courses and workshops, methods development, and by creating online data analysis tools, and by providing one-on-one support.
Data Bursary Scheme
Between 2006 and 2010, we ran a Data Bursary Scheme to support for researchers in malaria-endemic countries to develop capacity for statistics and genetic data analysis. Participants were known as MalariaGEN Data Fellows, and often helped to manage data for a specific partner study.
Meet the MalariaGEN Data Fellows
Hands-on training through courses and workshops
We’ve been involved with a number of Wellcome Trust Workshops and Advanced Courses, many taught overseas in malaria-endemic areas. We’ve also organised several MalariaGEN trainings and data analysis workshops — a tradition that continues within projects.
Our annual gathering, the Genomic Epidemiology of Malaria (GEM) meeting, is an important opportunity to connect with our community. By tradition GEM alternates between an open conference in the even years and an invitation-only retreat in the odd years.
More on our annual GEM meetings and recent events
See a list of past courses and workshops
Training and resources
The Resource Centre supports partners and the wider malaria community with a range of resources and provides hands-on training for partners in sampling protocols, laboratory methods and data management.
We provide our partners with access to state-of-the-art genotyping and sequencing technologies and release data back to partners and share the data publically on agreed equitable and appropriate data-sharing terms.
Supporting collaborative research networks
For more than a decade, MalariaGEN has operated at the forefront of genomics research into malaria. The capacity we’ve built – alongside the policies we’ve developed, methods we’ve pioneered, our engaged approach to research – reaches beyond the bounds of our projects. This work has set an example for other large-scale data-sharing networks, such as the WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN), Human Heredity and Health in Africa Initiative (H3 Africa) and the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC).
Plasmodium Diversity Network Africa
Through our collaboration with the MRC Centre for Genomics and Global Health and the P. falciparum Community Project, we also support the Plasmodium Diversity Network Africa (PDNA), an African-led research network that is investigating genetic diversity and drug resistance in malaria parasites.
Global Health Bioethics Network (GHBN)
Inspired by MalariaGEN’s efforts to build scientific capacity – particularly the Data Fellows Scheme – Prof Mike Parker and his colleagues at the Ethox Centre formed the Global Health Bioethics Network (GHBN)(link is external). The network was founded with a Wellcome Trust Strategic Award that funds a five-year programme of ethics research and capacity building with Wellcome Trust’s Major Overseas Programmes in Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Thailand-Laos, and Vietnam.
Methods Development
We’re working to overcome the technical challenges involved in sequencing parasite DNA isolated directly from the blood of malaria patients. Ultimately, the goal is to develop methods that result in the production of good quality parasite sequence data, even from samples with low parasite densities.
MalariaGEN has catapulted us 30 years ahead and given us the ability to do modern research – not just small genetics, but to go for the whole genome.
Dr Lucas Amenga- EtegoNavrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana
Personally, an important outcome of MalariaGEN is how they’ve empowered young researchers to use our own data. We’re better able to use our own data because we understand it better. This opens up opportunities.
Dr Carolyne NdilaKEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
