Predict acquisition of artemisinin resistance in Malaria parasites – PAAR

The fight against malaria faces to the emergence and massive spread in Asia of resistance of the parasite Plasmodium falciparum to the antimalarial drugs artemisinins. Artemisinins are the core component of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) combining an artemisinin derivative with another antimalarial molecule. In 2020, artemisinin-resistant parasites are now also reported in South-America, and in Africa where by 2040 artemisinin resistance will lead to an increase in the incidence of several million cases. Worryingly no current drugs can replace ACTs in the short to medium term. To date, artemisinin resistance is only tracking once emerged. My project aims to explore the biology of parasites under artemisinins pressure in order to identify predictive markers of the acquisition of artemisinin resistance in the parasite Plasmodium. Such tools could alert as soon as possible to improve decision-making process for malaria treatment policies.