Anopheles funestus genomic surveillance project

 

 

 

Started 2018

Using whole-genome sequencing for enhanced monitoring and surveillance of the major African malaria vector Anopheles funestus.

Objectives & Coordination

Anopheles funestus is the second most important human malaria vector species, transmitting Plasmodium parasites in sub-Saharan Africa. This project aims to use whole-genome sequencing to survey genetic diversity, population structure and evolution of An. funestus, and to establish a foundation for ongoing genomic surveillance of An. funestus populations.

Status

Sequencing of mosquitoes from phase 1 of the project is now complete, and has generated whole genome sequence data for more than 800 An. funestus individuals from 15 countries, forming the basis for the first continent-wide An. funestus population genomic analysis. Through 2022, we will be exploring genetic variation and population structure on these phase 1 data. Please reach out to us if you would like to be involved in analysing these data and/or if you would like to participate in future sequencing studies on this important species.

New Partners

The project is currently open to new partnerships. If you are a vector biologist studying or monitoring mosquitoes in the An. gambiae complex and are interested in partnering with the project, please email the project contact, or see the information about Applying for a Partner Study.

People

People involved in the project include:

Alex Makunin

Computational Staff Scientist
Wellcome Sanger Institute

Alistair Miles

Head of Epidemiological Informatics
Big Data Institute, University of Oxford, UK
Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, UK

David Tchouassi

Research Scientist
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

Diego Ayala

Permanent Researcher
Institute of Research for Development (IRD), France
Invited Researcher
Institut Pasteur de Madagascar

Dr Emmanuel Kaindoa

Research Assistant
Ifakara Health Institute

Eric Ochomo

Senior Research Scientist/ Head of Entomology Section
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
Honorary Fellow
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK

Fredros Okumu

Research Scientist
Ifakara Health Institute

Jack Hearn

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Joachim Nwezeobi

Postdoctoral Fellow
Wellcome Sanger Institute

Krijn Paaijmans

Assistant Professor
Arizona State University
Associate Researcher
Manhiça Health Research Centre

Lizette Koekemoer

Research Professor
University of the Witwatersrand

Dr Mara Lawniczak

Senior Group Leader
Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK

Marilou Boddé

Phd Student
University of Cambridge
Phd Student
Wellcome Sanger Institute

Najat Kahamba

Research Scientist
Ifakara Health Institute

Samuel Dadzie

Senior Research Fellow
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Ghana

Sophia Mwinyi

Research Scientist
Ifakara Health Institute