Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

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October 4, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"DNA Decoding Might Aid in Malaria Fight"

Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (10/03/02) P. A1

Scientists say that the newly accomplished decoding of the genetic code for both the malaria parasite and the mosquito that transmits it should hasten the development of new drugs and vaccines to fight the parasite and environmentally benign insecticides as well.  Some of the decoded genes could be used to create ways to block the parasite's entry into red blood cells, but scientists warn that support and commitment from wealthy nations is needed, if any results are to reach those who need it most.  More than half the parasite's genes are very dissimilar from human genes, which suggests that drugs or vaccines developed against the parasite may not harm patients.  The genome project was led by The Institute for Genomic Research in Rockville, Md., and results are being published this week in the journals Science and Nature.

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