Genomic Surveillance Unit (Wellcome Sanger Institute)

Join us for our August Journal Club with the GSU's Nina White and Chiyun Lee! 📊 This Journal Club will be all about Pf-HaploAtlas, a new app for studying and tracking groups of malaria parasite mutations called haplotypes. https://lnkd.in/eXGB5Gh5 In this session, Nina and Chiyun will: - Explore the new Pf-HaploAtlas pre-print https://lnkd.in/eBZgkMtz - Explain how the app was built using open data and open-source software - Demonstrate how to use the Pf-HaploAtlas app to analyse haplotypes of P. falciparum genes. Register: https://lnkd.in/gKGNtVk3 Cristina Ariani | Richard Pearson | Eyyüb Selim Ünlü | Jacob Almagro-Garcia 

Are you a researcher or public health professional working on #malaria genomic epidemiology? We're thrilled to launch Pf-HaploAtlas, a new app for studying and tracking malaria parasite mutations to fight malaria! https://lnkd.in/eXGB5Gh5 Pf-HaploAtlas allows any user with an internet connection to track groups of genetic mutations, or haplotypes, of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. The app draws from the MalariaGEN Pf7 dataset to provide innovative visualisations of all core genes of the P. falciparum parasite. Developed using open data and open-source software, Pf-HaploAtlas is accessible to a wide range of users interested in malaria genomic surveillance and data analysis, including researchers and public health officials. 💻 Try Pf-HaploAtlas: https://lnkd.in/eejVbK5D ⏯ Watch a short tutorial on how to use Pf-HaploAtlas: https://lnkd.in/eu9MXWHT 📰 Read the accompanying pre-print: https://lnkd.in/eBZgkMtz Genomic Surveillance Unit (Wellcome Sanger Institute) | Streamlit

We're hiring a Chief of Staff! 📣 This is a key role, reporting to the Director and responsible for the development, implementation and delivery of the Director’s strategic priorities and objectives for the GSU whilst identifying key risks and ensuring appropriate mitigations and escalation. Read more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eRTztgvQ Salary: £93,000 - £116,000 Closing Date: Sunday 18-AUG Wellcome Sanger Institute | John Sillitoe

We're excited to welcome four research partners from the University of Yaoundé I to the Wellcome Sanger Institute! Over the next two weeks, the team, led by Dr Francis Zeukeng, will engage with various advanced laboratory protocols at the GSU. This will enable them to set up Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing for malaria genomic surveillance in Cameroon. Atabonglefac Belta Belta | KEUMO TAKENDONG JIMMY LOIC | Honore Awanakam | William Hamilton | Alexandria Harrott

We're #hiring a Bid Manager 📢 This key role involves leading the GSU's end-to-end bids and proposals process. You'll collaborate with colleagues across the GSU to make our bids competitive and our processes efficient. In this role, you will be responsible for: 💸 The end-to-end bids and proposal process, from monitoring agreed opportunity feeds to driving to successful completion. 🤝 Being the ‘face of GSU’ with potential customers/funders and partners in all our bidding activity. 📈 Working with the opportunity lead and teams to develop a clear win strategy for each bid and ensure win themes are clear and compelling. 🔍 Researching the attractiveness of opportunities and their degree of fit for GSU, making recommendations to the leadership team accordingly. Read the full job description and apply by 21 July 2024 https://lnkd.in/ebFFnazD

We're #hiring a Senior Research and Development Scientist 📢 This is a key role that involves leading multidisciplinary research and development projects, including Whole/Next Generation Sequencing techniques and molecular diagnostic assay development. In this role, you will be involved in a range of exciting research and development activities: 🧬 Establishing, performing and validating molecular and sequencing techniques 🧪 Conducting laboratory and assay quality control and assurance 📄 Leading the writing and publishing manuscripts and reports 🔎 Analysing pathogen genomes to identify conserved targets for amplification assays, and more. Read the full job description and apply by 28th July 2024 https://lnkd.in/eWNSST2c

Join us for our July Journal Club with Dr Beatus Lyimo 🗣️ The Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (Pfcsp) gene is a key component of the WHO-approved malaria vaccines RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M. 💉 In a new study published in Malaria Journal, Beatus and colleagues explored the genetic diversity of the Pfcsp gene in five Tanzanian regions with varying malaria transmission levels. https://lnkd.in/erkhMaKT Genetic variation in Pfcsp, driven by parasite evolution to evade the immune system, differs by region and can impact vaccine effectiveness. By exploring the genetic diversity, population structure, and the extent of genetic variation and natural selection acting on the Pfcsp gene, this study provides important baseline data for the Tanzanian Ministry of Health to consider before deploying malaria vaccines in the country. Register: https://lnkd.in/ezXshhP4 Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) Deus Ishengoma Zach Popkin-Hall Misago Seth dativa pereus Moshi Ramadhan RUTH BONIFACE Jonathan Juliano Jeffrey Bailey Deus Ishengoma

Large, open genomic datasets allow researchers and public health practitioners to uncover important insights that can improve public health decision-making. The GSU's malaria teams contributed to two recent studies which demonstrate this impact ⬇ 🧬 A study analysing population structures and migration rates of three Anopheles species (gambiae, coluzzii, and arabiensis) using MalariaGEN Ag1000G data found that patterns of movement vary between and within these species, and are influenced by ecological and environmental factors. https://lnkd.in/es5rKWte By exploring the population structures of these three closely related mosquito species, including the extent to which populations are connected by gene flow, we can understand how strategies implemented in one location might indirectly affect vector populations elsewhere. This can guide national malaria control programmes to implement better malaria vector surveillance and control policies across regions. It also adds context for vector control tools that rely on mosquito mating, like gene drive. ➡️ A practical use case for genomic data leading to policy action shows that continuous surveillance, timely monitoring, and adopting region-specific strategies are effective for malaria control. https://lnkd.in/ehUbYzFh The spread of drug-resistant parasite strains led to widespread failures of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA-PPQ), the most common frontline treatment drug used in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. As national malaria control programmes in the Greater Mekong subregion switched to alternative first-line drugs like artesunate-mefloquine or artesunate-pyronaridine, this study demonstrates the epidemiological and genetic impact of these policy choices. By analysing P. falciparum genetic data collected between 2017-2022, they observed a rapid reduction in Pf incidence since 2020 and reduction of genes linked to DHA-PPQ and piperaquine resistance. While artemisinin resistance levels remained high, no emerging mefloquine resistance was recorded.

"By focusing on how parasites have evolved to develop drug resistance, evade immunity, and sustain transmission, we were able to lay the groundwork for projects like the Genomic Surveillance of Malaria in West Africa, which integrates genetic data to inform malaria policies and interventions." 💬 Professor Alfred Amambua-Ngwa has worked on malaria genomics for nearly two decades so far, and during this time, he has both witnessed and contributed immensely to the field's evolution. In a new interview, Prof Amambua-Ngwa shares inspiring milestones from his journey to fight malaria using genomics. As a longtime collaborator of the GSU through the MalariaGEN network, one recent milestone has been to set up a malaria parasite genomic surveillance hub in West Africa. "As the Genomic Surveillance of Malaria in West Africa project advances, Sanger’s Genomic Surveillance Unit has worked with us and collaborators in West Africa to build capacity to generate targeted sequences through amplicon sequencing. The hope is that we will be able to generate whole genome sequences in the near future by paving the way for advanced analysis." 💬 Read the full Wellcome Sanger Institute blog: https://lnkd.in/ebV8uvaG

Do you have experience in providing high-level administrative support? Join the GSU as a Senior Administrator 📢 #adminjob We're looking for a highly organised individual to provide a proficient and streamlined administrative service to the GSU's Executive and Senior Leadership Teams. The role also involves supporting the smooth operation of the GSU’s wider administrative function and programmes. Salary: £39,800 to £47,800 dependent on experience Closing Date: 7th July 2024 Read more about the role and apply ⬇ https://lnkd.in/eGCepYHD