Work Package 7: Genes & genotype interactions

By using a genome-wide association scan, Work Package 7 aims to identify natural Anopheles variation that contributes to susceptibility to P. falciparum infection for two of its most important vectors in Africa. Our experimental design also allows us to identify P. falciparum variation that causes infectivity in Anopheles and begin to molecularly dissect and define genotypic interactions between vector and parasite. These objectives are of great general interest to evolutionary biologists but also have serious consequences on the implementation of vector-control strategies.

The team leader for Work Package 7 is Prof Fotis C. Kafatos.