Using spatial statistics and genomics to develop epidemiologically relevant definitions of insecticide resistance in African Malaria Vectors

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In the last 15 years 260 million clinical cases of malaria have been prevented in Sub Saharan Africa, overwhelmingly through the use of insecticides that target the mosquito vector. Insecticide resistance is therefore a major threat to the sustained control of malaria. Whole genome sequencing of malaria mosquitoes has the power to revolutionise our understanding of the evolution of insecticide resistance; allowing us to design new insecticides and to develop strategies that delay the onset of resistance. However genomic technologies will only reach their full potential with improved sampling design and when extensive individual and population level metadata (collection location, infection/ disease state etc) accompany each sequenced sample. For the problem of insecticide resistance in the major malaria vector Anopheles gambiae a deep understanding of the biology lies with SSA scientists whilst the skills to sequence and analyse the data are held by centres in the North. This foundation proposal is designed to draw together these two groups with support from a world-leading spatial statistics group around the key issue of insecticide resistance evolution. Our vision is to further develop the programme to a Pan-African level, eventually devolving leadership to our SSA partners who will have the skills and experience to sustain the network.