# Genomics/Molecular Core

> **NIH NIH U19** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $51,220

## Abstract

Molecular and genomic epidemiology approaches have the potential—as yet largely unrealized—to add
powerful tools to the malaria elimination toolkit. We are already using highly sensitive molecular testing for
national malaria surveillance and to guide mass drug administration in Myanmar. Our haplotype analyses of
the emergence and dissemination of drug resistance helped prompt the World Health Organization to launch a
regional campaign to eliminate falciparum malaria from Southeast Asia. High throughput protein and peptide
microarrays that measure variant-specific antibody responses may prove valuable for estimating exposure to
specific parasite and mosquito species. Genome sequencing and genotyping large numbers of clinical samples
yields information that can be used to understand parasite migration patterns. The Molecular and Genomics
Core will help Project 1 and 2 investigators develop and deploy high-sensitivity and high-throughput molecular,
genomics and serological techniques and tools to support these goals, with a focus on facilitating the transition
of most of these capabilities to regional laboratories over the course of the study. In Aim 1 we propose to
establish, or strengthen capacity for, high-throughput ultrasensitive PCR at regional ICEMR laboratories in
Myanmar, China and Bangladesh and incorporate new diversity-reflecting microarray-based sero-surveillance
tools to measure malaria and mosquito exposure. In Aim 2, we will develop and implement approaches to
increase parasite DNA representation in field samples prior to sequencing. These DNA samples will be used to
generate high-throughput sequence data for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in Aim 3, and to
design next-generation DNA protein and peptide microarrays. The data generated will be analyzed by all three
Projects, to generate accurate estimates of the true malaria burden in the region, to characterize the
emergence and spread of drug resistance, and to integrate all these variables into a regional model of malaria
epidemiology and transmission, upon which public health interventions can be based. Finally, Aim 4 seeks to
disseminate the generated data to the wider scientific community, though the use of public data repositories
and a project-specific web portal, to help guide national and regional malaria control and elimination policies. .

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9912073
- **Project number:** 5U19AI129386-04
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Joana Carneiro da Silva
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $51,220
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2021-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9912073

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9912073, Genomics/Molecular Core (5U19AI129386-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9912073. Licensed CC0.

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