Whole genome sequencing of Plasmodium cynomolgi M strain (isolate). Whole genome sequencing of Plasmodium cynomolgi M strain (isolate)

Plasmodium cynomolgi is a non-human primate malaria parasite that is very closely related to the human malaria P. vivax. The parasite infects a large range of Old and New World monkeys and also humans. One of its natural hosts is the rhesus monkey. Because of its proximity to P. vivax, with highly similar biology in all life cycle stages, P. cynomolgi infections in rhesus monkeys are frequently used as excellent model for P. vivax. The M strain of P. cynomolgi has been used extensively for studying parasite biology as well as for in vivo drug studies (Kocken et al., 2009, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother). Attempts to adapt this strain to in vitro culture have not been successful. In vivo transfection has been shown to be achievable with this strain (Kocken et al., 1999, Exp. Parasitol.). More recently, this strain is being used to develop more robust transfection technology as well as in vitro cultures of liver stages. We will be obtaining high coverage of Illumina reads (PCR-free where possible) with variable insert lengths and then assemble the genome de novo.. This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/