Moving “Forward” in Plasmodium Genetics through a Transposon-Based Approach
The genome sequence of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, was released almost a decade ago. A majority of the Plasmodium genome, however, remains annotated to code for hypothetical proteins with unknown functions. The introduction of forward genetics has provided novel means to gain...
Saved in:
Main Author: | |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Wiley
2012-01-01
|
Series: | Journal of Tropical Medicine |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/829210 |
Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
_version_ | 1832552543085920256 |
---|---|
author | Bharath Balu |
author_facet | Bharath Balu |
author_sort | Bharath Balu |
collection | DOAJ |
description | The genome sequence of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, was released almost a decade ago. A majority of the Plasmodium genome, however, remains annotated to code for hypothetical proteins with unknown functions. The introduction of forward genetics has provided novel means to gain a better understanding of gene functions and their associated phenotypes in Plasmodium. Even with certain limitations, the technique has already shown significant promise to increase our understanding of parasite biology needed for rationalized drug and vaccine design. Further improvements to the mutagenesis technique and the design of novel genetic screens should lead us to some exciting discoveries about the critical weaknesses of Plasmodium, and greatly aid in the development of new disease intervention strategies. |
format | Article |
id | doaj-art-ff52873ecac84f31a80e66c29a7e4fd1 |
institution | Kabale University |
issn | 1687-9686 1687-9694 |
language | English |
publishDate | 2012-01-01 |
publisher | Wiley |
record_format | Article |
series | Journal of Tropical Medicine |
spelling | doaj-art-ff52873ecac84f31a80e66c29a7e4fd12025-02-03T05:58:29ZengWileyJournal of Tropical Medicine1687-96861687-96942012-01-01201210.1155/2012/829210829210Moving “Forward” in Plasmodium Genetics through a Transposon-Based ApproachBharath Balu0Tropical Disease Research Program, Center for Infectious Disease and Biodefense Research, SRI International, Harrisonburg, VA 22802, USAThe genome sequence of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, was released almost a decade ago. A majority of the Plasmodium genome, however, remains annotated to code for hypothetical proteins with unknown functions. The introduction of forward genetics has provided novel means to gain a better understanding of gene functions and their associated phenotypes in Plasmodium. Even with certain limitations, the technique has already shown significant promise to increase our understanding of parasite biology needed for rationalized drug and vaccine design. Further improvements to the mutagenesis technique and the design of novel genetic screens should lead us to some exciting discoveries about the critical weaknesses of Plasmodium, and greatly aid in the development of new disease intervention strategies.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/829210 |
spellingShingle | Bharath Balu Moving “Forward” in Plasmodium Genetics through a Transposon-Based Approach Journal of Tropical Medicine |
title | Moving “Forward” in Plasmodium Genetics through a Transposon-Based Approach |
title_full | Moving “Forward” in Plasmodium Genetics through a Transposon-Based Approach |
title_fullStr | Moving “Forward” in Plasmodium Genetics through a Transposon-Based Approach |
title_full_unstemmed | Moving “Forward” in Plasmodium Genetics through a Transposon-Based Approach |
title_short | Moving “Forward” in Plasmodium Genetics through a Transposon-Based Approach |
title_sort | moving forward in plasmodium genetics through a transposon based approach |
url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/829210 |
work_keys_str_mv | AT bharathbalu movingforwardinplasmodiumgeneticsthroughatransposonbasedapproach |