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WRAIR and OpGen Publish Findings on Malaria ResearchOct 14, 2011 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) and OpGen announced publication of findings by the WRAIR that indicate a breakthrough in malaria research. The Company said malaria affects over 250 million people, resulting in one million deaths each year and is considered a critical global health threat (WHO 2010 World Malaria Report). The team at WRAIR identified new areas of genetic variation in a multidrug-resistant malaria strain and reference sequence strains used in vaccine development, potentially identifying DNA associated with resistance and immune response. "Automated whole genome mapping technology allowed us to rapidly produce high quality optical maps that spanned all 14 chromosomes of four P. falciparum genomes," said Captain Matthew Riley, chief of genomics for the Multidrug-resistant Organism Repository and Surveillance Network (MRSN). "In addition, we identified new regions of interest in these malaria strains, including novel copy number variation that may be related to drug resistance, virulence factors and immune evasion." The MRSN studies important pathogens to enhance performance improvement and focus infection control for U.S. military troops. According to a release, OpGen's Argus Whole Genome Mapping System provides rapid, accurate analysis of microbial genomes with complete, ordered, high-resolution DNA maps. The technology is used by public health labs and microbial researchers who study the emergence of disease outbreaks and hospital acquired infections that are increasingly difficult to treat with standard therapies. "This study clearly demonstrates the practical application and value of combining OpGen's Whole Genome Mapping capabilities with sequencing data to achieve high resolution genetic structure information required to identify important genomic regions associated with virulence and drug resistance," said Doug White, OpGen CEO. "DNA sequencing technologies are challenged with sorting out areas of genetic expansion and contraction, highly repetitive areas and locations in the genome where genes are presented in varying copy number from strain to strain. Whole Genome Mapping presents a clear picture of each genome's architecture." OpGen is a company focused on rapid, accurate genomic and DNA analysis systems and services. The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is a laboratory in the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command. More information: www.opgen.com www.wrair.army.mil ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) |