Genetic Map Promises Increased Supply of Key Malaria Drug

The genetic code of Artemisia annua, the source of artemisinin, the most potent drug against malaria, has been deciphered by researchers from the University of York. Researchers say that the breakthrough should substantially bring down the cost of the drug, which is currently in high demand and in short supply. Though preventable and treatable, malaria is a serious global health problem, kills almost a million people every year. Currently the World Health Organization recommends artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs), in which the drug is given in combination with older anti-malarial treatments, as the best way to fight malaria. Artemisinin, however, costs ten times more than other anti-malaria drugs.

With the genetic map, researchers, led by Diana Bowles and Ian Graham, have pinpointed the location of genes, traits and markers associated with high performance. "The map is already proving to be an essential tool for us. With our new understanding of Artemisia genetics, we can produce improved, non-GM varieties of Artemisia much faster than would otherwise be possible," says Graham. Bowles noted out that they intend to get high-yielding seed to farmers in the next 2-3 years. "This is a really tight deadline and we can only do it with the benefit of the new knowledge provided by the map. The work demonstrates how modern genetics is shortening the timescales needed to turn a wild plant species into a domesticated crop," said Bowles.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has given Graham's team with a second grant to support the development of the new varieties and their delivery to Artemisia producers in Africa and Asia.

The paper published by Science is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1182612 For more information, read http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1184780