Africa is hardly synonymous with world class
science. However, there are
occasional islands of excellence such as the Malaria
Research and Training
Centre (MRTC) in Bamako,
Mali.
The principal activity of
the MRTC is tracking the
spread of resistance to available drugs. Among its
achievements is a method for
testing DNA from the malarial
parasite, taken from samples
of infected blood, to detect
specific point mutations in
the genes encoding certain
enzymes. The mutations
go hand in hand with resistance to particular drugs.
Through a large number of
sample tests, the researchers
build up a map of the areas
where many parasites are
resistant to each drug. The
results, sent back to the
health ministry, serve to
determine which drugs are
used where. The MRTc
researchers are also engaged
in ways to prevent the
serious consequences of
malaria such as anaerma and
coma.
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