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Malaria Resistance Lab Based Research

Project Overview

Malaria is a disease caused when infected female Anopheles mosquitos transmit parasites to humans. Although there are various antimalarial treatments for malaria, parasites worldwide have demonstrated antimalarial drug resistance. This project seeks to learn more about antimalarial drug resistance to improve local treatment options. Specifically, this project will research the mutations within the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) genes, causing resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP). The PCR-HRM technique will be used to identify the mutations in specific regions of the DHFR and DHPS genes. By determining the prevalence of these mutations, this project seeks to collect and understand new data in the field of antimalarial drug resistance. 

Project History

The Mbarara University of Science and Technology - University of Virginia research and training collaboration (MUVa) started in 2007 under the leadership of Dr. Christopher C. Moore. Since then the MUST and the UVa Center for Global Health have supported numerous undergraduate students, physicians in training, and graduate students to obtain international health related training and research experiences. Researchers benefit from the extensive knowledge of the Epicentre Mbarara Research Base for studies on malaria. This project is affiliated with the UVa MHIRT program.

Location

Located in Mbarara, Uganda, Epicentre Mbarara Research Centre partnered with the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) and other health organizations around the world to promote clinical epidemiological research within Uganda.