January 17, 2010
The discovery of the genetic map of the medicinal herb Artemisia annua has been hailed as a significant breakthrough that could save countless lives.
Researchers said the new plants they will breed will be given to poor farmers who can use them to grow a cash crop that could help build up fragile economies.
The research has been funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Malaria kills at least one million people every year even though it can be prevented and treated.The most effective drugs to treat the disease are Artemisinin Combination Therapies.More funding has become available to deliver these treatments which are expected to reach 200 million each year by 2012.
But there is currently a shortage of the plant Artemisia annua which is a key ingredient in the drugs. The scientists from University of York said they hope to be able to meet the new demand within two to three years. They have published the the first genetic map of this species, plotting the location on the plant's genome of genes, traits and markers associated with high performance in the latest issue of the journal Science.
The genetic map will enable scientists to recognise young plants as high performers from their genetics.
It will also inform the selection of suitable parent plants for breeding experiments.
The map has been confirmed in glasshouse experiments that found the top-performing plants had higher frequencies of genetic indicators for high yield.
Plant could save millions from malaria
Millions of people suffering from malaria now have new hope after British scientists unlocked the genetic map of the plant used to cure the disease. Scientists from the University …
Millions of people suffering from malaria now have new hope after British scientists unlocked the genetic map of the plant used to cure the disease.Scientists from the University of York have confidently predicted they will have high-yielding anti-malaria crops available for wide spread plantation in developing countries within two years.
The discovery of the genetic map of the medicinal herb Artemisia annua has been hailed as a significant breakthrough that could save countless lives.
Researchers said the new plants they will breed will be given to poor farmers who can use them to grow a cash crop that could help build up fragile economies.
The research has been funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.Malaria kills at least one million people every year even though it can be prevented and treated.The most effective drugs to treat the disease are Artemisinin Combination Therapies.More funding has become available to deliver these treatments which are expected to reach 200 million each year by 2012.
But there is currently a shortage of the plant Artemisia annua which is a key ingredient in the drugs. The scientists from University of York said they hope to be able to meet the new demand within two to three years. They have published the the first genetic map of this species, plotting the location on the plant's genome of genes, traits and markers associated with high performance in the latest issue of the journal Science.
The genetic map will enable scientists to recognise young plants as high performers from their genetics.
It will also inform the selection of suitable parent plants for breeding experiments.
The map has been confirmed in glasshouse experiments that found the top-performing plants had higher frequencies of genetic indicators for high yield.
cure
disease
hospital