Awandare, G.Asiedu, D.K.2020-01-202020-01-202017-03-23http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/34438Inter - College LectureThe World Health Organization estimates that malaria still causes approximately 198 million cases annually worldwide, with 483,000 deaths, mainly in children below the age of 5 years and pregnant women. The most severe forms of the disease are caused by Plasmodium falciparum, which accounts for more than 90% of malaria cases globally. An effective malaria vaccine remains the optimal strategy for eliminating malaria. However, the use of vector control strategies such as long-lasting insecticide treated nets and inside residual spraying, combined with the use of the efficacious artemisinin combination therapy, have significantly decreased malaria transmission. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of the impact of decreasing malaria transmission on parasite biology and disease pathogenesis is necessary to inform appropriate management of the disease, especially in children. Taking advantage of the significant differences in malaria transmission across ecological zones in Ghana as a model, we have been investigating the impact of decreasing transmission on P. falciparum biology, host immune responses, and clinical manifestations of malaria in children. The results of these investigations demonstrate that while parasite genomes are mostly similar, parasite invasion pathways vary significantly across transmission areas. In addition, patterns of clinical manifestations, immune responses and parasite tolerance change significantly with decreasing transmission intensity. Data from these investigations will be discussed, as well as research strategies for discovery of novel targets for vaccine development. In addition, progress made by the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) and its partners in training and building capacity for high quality, competitive biomedical research in Africa will be presented.enWest African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP)biomedical researchAfricaWorld Health OrganizationArticle