research

As a Group, generate a scientific abstract. Include Background (why your topic is important) Summary of Scientific Knowledge, and Discussion and Future Work. Summit as Word document as a group.

In addition, provide a bullet point outline of what you propose will be in your final paper.

ABSTRACT

Life revolves around the rat race structure of adapt or die. Viruses, although not conventionally alive, follow this same concept and have a high mutation rate due to constant environment changes. To combat this, science has had to evolve as well since mutations result in resistance to many of the medications we use to treat viruses. Malaria is an extremely infectious and virulent particle that causes symptoms like fevers, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Many routes have been explored to mitigate the spread of Malaria including those that stop the spread of infection, like insecticides, and those that combat the virus directly (chloroquine). However, these techniques become less and less effective as the virus as well as it’s vectors develop resistance. Research continues to find more and more species of mosquito that have the ability to carry Malaria. Most concerning are those that thrive in highly populated areas. Developing more treatments and strategies become more important as the epidemiology of Malaria continues to change.

OUTLINE ● Malaria viral break down and epidemiology (Sarah: I’m currently taking virology I

can probably handle this) ● Insecticides: (Also see Sarah)

○ Advantages: ○ Disadvantages: -Insecticides are synthetic and nonbiodegradable

-They can be harmful if deposit in fruits -

■ Effects on other life? ○ How are mosquitoes becoming resistant : there are some genetic

mutations that are causing resistance to insecticides, it has not been proved yet but some researchers from the Journal Genome Biology said tests are being runned to evaluate possible resistance.

■ How do we prevent insecticide resistance: - Minimize the use of insecticides -Avoid combinations (mixes) of 2 or more insecticides -Avoid persistent chemicals

● Chloroquine ○ Advantages

■ Antimalarial drug

○ Disadvantages ■ Plasmodium strains have mutated to resist Chloroquine

● mutations of PfCRT ○ Protein that is believed to be a transporter of the

digestive vacuole membrane. ■ Barriers like resources?

○ How is malaria becoming resistant ■ Ties in with information for Disadvantage above. ■ Strains have mutated to resist drug

● Caused by mutation of a protein that likely acts as a transporter in the digestive vacuole

● New techniques/medications ○ Advantages ○ Disadvantages

● Conclusion/review