Strain variation and gene hunting in malaria.

Malaria still remains uncontrolled affecting millions and killing many. We have found the high chloroquine-resistance in Rajasthan epidemic which contains multipleP.falciparum strains. Large number of variantP.falciparum strains exist in India which should be taken into account for future malaria control strategies. We have characterised several parasite molecules which are involved in the hostparasite interaction. They can be used to develop the molecular therapy or antimalarial drugs for malaria. The parasite enzymes described by us will be quite useful in this regard, particularly in drug development.