Oxford Team Find Malaria Markers for a Quick, Accurate Diagnosis
22nd May 2013
A team of scientists at the University of Oxford have identified a parasite protein that is an accurate indicator of both the presence and severity of malaria. The identification of the protein marks the critical step towards developing a quick and accurate diagnostic kit. Malaria accounts for about 655 000 deaths annually - primarily in African children. Since most deaths occur within the first 24 hours, it is critical to diagnose and treat malaria patients promptly.
The team is headed by Dr Climent Casals-Pascual from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine at Oxford University. From living and working for nearly 5 years in Sub-Saharan Africa, Dr Casals-Pascual has seen the devastating effects of the disease. Determined to solve the problem, Dr Casals-Pascual obtained funding from the Medical Research Council to work in collaboration with the MRC Unit, The Gambia, to identify novel molecular markers of severe malaria using proteomic techniques.
Dr Casals-Pascual explained: “The identification of Plasmodium falciparum proteins in plasma from infected individuals is a major technical challenge. We used mass spectrometry to identify 8,905 protein fragments in plasma from patients with mild or severe malaria – only a tiny fraction of these were from the malaria parasite. It’s like trying to estimate the size of the moon and a mosquito using the same measuring tape – in essence, finding a needle in a haystack. After 12 months of intensive work we identified the key parasite proteins. However, to estimate the diagnostic potential of these proteins, we had to quantify them in individual samples. This is something we usually do with commercially available antibodies, but of course, antibodies against parasite proteins are not readily available and the production of these antibodies is costly and time-consuming.”
To circumvent this limitation, Dr. Casals-Pascual, applied a novel proteomic technique to quantify these proteins in individual samples: targeted proteomics.
“Targeted proteomics is a great method to shortlist candidate biomarkers identified in shotgun proteomic studies: the cost is lower and the time to candidate selection is much shorter”.
“It was hard work but the team felt it was important to break the back of a problem that affects the most vulnerable among us– children who have no access to facilities. With these markers, more accurate kits can be developed, so quick correct diagnosis will lead to correct treatment. Inaccurate diagnosis and inappropriate treatment leads to disease resistant strains and potentially more problems.”
These Plasmodium falciparum proteins are now available for development through Oxford University Innovation, the Technology Transfer Company of the University of Oxford. Dr Christine Whyte, Senior Technology Transfer Manager, Oxford University Innovation said: “Dr Casals-Pascual and his academic team have done tremendous work in identifying the proteins. The diagnostics industry now has a great opportunity to develop kits. Isis is keen to facilitate any links that will make the technology available as soon as possible.”
“The approach Dr Casals-Pascual has taken can be applied to many other diseases as well. Successful development of a malaria kit could be the first of many from his ground-breaking team.”
Press release sign up
