Investigating artemisinin resistance

Investigating Artemisinin Resistance in Nigerian isolates of Plasmodium Falciparum

Malaria control gained traction after the introduction of artemisinin-based combination treatment. Unfortunately, artemisinin (ART) resistance has been reported in South-East Asia (SEA) and there are emerging reports of delayed ART sensitivity in African parasites, suggesting imminent treatment failure. As replacement antimalarial drugs are yet unavailable, monitoring artemisinin resistance in African parasites and understanding the markers of such adaptation will be important to stop resistance in its tracks. Kelch-13 gene mutations are the markers of ART resistance in SEA. However, these markers do not provide phenotypic evidence of resistance in African isolates. This suggests that mechanisms driving ART tolerance in African parasites could be independent of Kelch-13 markers. In this study, we will assess the efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum in their natural human hosts and in vitro. The public health implications of ART-based treatment failure make this proposal very crucial for early detection of ART-tolerant malaria parasites in the country.

  • Funder: EDCTP 
  • Start date: 01 January 2021
  • End date: 31 December 2023
  • Status: Ongoing
  • Members: 1
  • Principal Investigator: Dr Kolapo Oyebola

PhD Fellowship

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STANBIC IBTC DONATES TEST KITS TO NIMR

As part of its Corporate social responsibility efforts and the desire to increase COVID-19 testing efforts in Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC represented by Mr. Adebanjo Otukomaya, Zone Head, Lagos Mainland and Dr. Sylvanus Jatto donated test kits to NIMR on 16th July 2020. According to Dr. Sylvanus Jatto, the Medical and Wellness Consultant at STANBIC IBTC, the donation is in recognition of NIMR’s drive-through COVID-19 testing efforts.

In his response, the Director General of NIMR, Professor Babatunde Lawal Salako thanked Stanbic IBTC for the donation. He also emphasized the importance of receiving support from private organizations in augmenting government efforts towards flattening the COVID-19 curve, as well as supporting research and development in Nigeria. He expressed the hope for further collaboration with the Bank and other well-meaning organizations. According to the DG, NIMR will not relent in her various commitments towards curbing the pandemic.

NIMR Biotech Total RNA Purification Kit

The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research has launched the country’s first set of local Ribonucleic Acid purification kits to help expand the nation’s capacity to test for COVID-19.

In his address at the official commissioning of the kits on Tuesday Tuesday 30th June 2020, Director-General of NIMR, Prof. Babatunde Lawal Salako explained that the local RNA kits would address the perennial problem of test kits shortage in the country and help ramp up daily testing capacity for COVID-19.

“The idea of producing the local Ribonucleic Acid purification kits was conceived after we noticed how its scarcity was delaying tests and other backlogs of samples,”

The product was christened NIMR Biotech Total RNA purification Kit.