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Genetic resistance to malaria

In this section

Variations in DNA at a specific location (or 'locus') on the genome that protect African children from developing severe malaria, in some cases nearly halving a child’s chance of developing the life-threatening disease, have been identified in the largest genetic association study of malaria to date.

This video, produced by MalariaGEN, shows how variations in DNA in some regions of the human genome can help protect people from developing severe malaria.

Professor Dominic Kwiatkowski from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics participated in this study.

Dominic Kwiatkowski

Genetics

Prof. Dominic Kwiatkowski leads a global network of researchers and clinicians working to develop new tools to control malaria. A central theme of his work is to translate advances in genomics, statistics and computer science into practical applications for epidemiological surveillance and public health.