The effort to sequence the P. falciparum genome started in 1996 in an attempt to provide new avenues for malaria research. An analysis of the genome sequence of P. falciparum clone 3D7 was published in Nature in 2002. This was the initial analysis of the entire genome and concisely reported on many aspects of the parasite’s biological function.
Analysis of the genome sequence inherently provided a comprehensive view of the metabolic potential of P. falciparum irrespective of the life-cycle stage. Previous to this research, the biochemical studies of the malaria parasite were restricted primarily to the intra-erythrocytic stage of the life cycle.
The complete sequencing of the P. falciparum genome has facilitated the investigation of new avenues for further research. Due to the complexity of the lifecycle of the malaria parasite, subsequent studies are now able to focus on the genetic, transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of malaria parasite in each stage of the lifecycle in order to identify potential drug targets.
fig 5.1
Gardner, M. J. et al.
Genome sequence of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium
falciparum. Nature 419,
498-511
Genome sequence of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium
falciparum. Nature 419,
498-511