TY - JOUR

T1 - Targeted Next Generation Sequencing for malaria research in Africa

T2 - Current status and outlook

AU - Ghansah, Anita

AU - Kamau, Edwin

AU - Amambua-Ngwa, Alfred

AU - Ishengoma, Deus S.

AU - Maiga-Ascofare, Oumou

AU - Amenga-Etego, Lucas

AU - Deme, Awa

AU - Yavo, William

AU - Randrianarivelojosia, Milijaona

AU - Ochola-Oyier, Lynette Isabella

AU - Helegbe, Gideon Kofi

AU - Bailey, Jeffery

AU - Alifrangis, Michael

AU - Djimde, Abdoulaye

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - Targeted Next Generation Sequencing (TNGS) is an efficient and economical Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform and the preferred choice when specific genomic regions are of interest. So far, only institutions located in middle and high-income countries have developed and implemented the technology, however, the efficiency and cost savings, as opposed to more traditional sequencing methodologies (e.g. Sanger sequencing) make the approach potentially well suited for resource-constrained regions as well. In April 2018, scientists from the Plasmodium Diversity Network Africa (PDNA) and collaborators met during the 7th Pan African Multilateral Initiative of Malaria (MIM) conference held in Dakar, Senegal to explore the feasibility of applying TNGS to genetic studies and malaria surveillance in Africa. The group of scientists reviewed the current experience with TNGS platforms in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and identified potential roles the technology might play to accelerate malaria research, scientific discoveries and improved public health in SSA. Research funding, infrastructure and human resources were highlighted as challenges that will have to be mitigated to enable African scientists to drive the implementation of TNGS in SSA. Current roles of important stakeholders and strategies to strengthen existing networks to effectively harness this powerful technology for malaria research of public health importance were discussed.

AB - Targeted Next Generation Sequencing (TNGS) is an efficient and economical Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform and the preferred choice when specific genomic regions are of interest. So far, only institutions located in middle and high-income countries have developed and implemented the technology, however, the efficiency and cost savings, as opposed to more traditional sequencing methodologies (e.g. Sanger sequencing) make the approach potentially well suited for resource-constrained regions as well. In April 2018, scientists from the Plasmodium Diversity Network Africa (PDNA) and collaborators met during the 7th Pan African Multilateral Initiative of Malaria (MIM) conference held in Dakar, Senegal to explore the feasibility of applying TNGS to genetic studies and malaria surveillance in Africa. The group of scientists reviewed the current experience with TNGS platforms in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and identified potential roles the technology might play to accelerate malaria research, scientific discoveries and improved public health in SSA. Research funding, infrastructure and human resources were highlighted as challenges that will have to be mitigated to enable African scientists to drive the implementation of TNGS in SSA. Current roles of important stakeholders and strategies to strengthen existing networks to effectively harness this powerful technology for malaria research of public health importance were discussed.

KW - Africa

KW - Malaria

KW - Targeted Next Generation Sequencing

U2 - 10.1186/s12936-019-2944-2

DO - 10.1186/s12936-019-2944-2

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 31547818

AN - SCOPUS:85072583965

VL - 18

JO - Malaria Journal

JF - Malaria Journal

SN - 1475-2875

IS - 1

M1 - 324

ER -