Nanopore sequencing of malaria parasites

This project visualized single long reads and directly quantified the number of tandem GCH1 amplicons in a parental line (Dd2) versus a DSM1-selected Plasmodium falciparum line. We detected more reads that encompassed a higher number of amplicons in the resistant (up to 7) compared to the parental line (3 amplicons). GCH1 is not likely contributing directly to resistance; however, higher numbers of the GCH1 CNV may compensate for changes in metabolism of resistant parasites. This is supported by the direct connection between folate and pyrimidine metabolism, which together contribute to nucleic acid biosynthesis. It will be important to study this relationship further as DHODH inhibitors move closer to clinical approval.