“Plasmodium knowlesi omics: uncovering biology, informing control” with Jacob Westaway

This presentation outlines our growing Plasmodium knowlesi omics program, which spans foundational discovery science through to translational applications for malaria control. To date, we have generated the largest and most comprehensive whole-genome and transcriptomic parasite datasets for P. knowlesi, as well as the only genotyped dataset of P. knowlesi-infected humans. These resources are providing new insights into parasite diversity, host interactions, and genetic drivers of disease severity. Ongoing work is expanding this framework through sequencing of P. knowlesi from both human and macaque hosts, including Indonesian-origin isolates, and speciation analyses across other common zoonotic Plasmodium species which co-infect macaques and mosquitoes such as P. cynomolgi and P. inui. We are also characterising the transcriptomes of macaque-derived parasites and exploring the presence of P. knowlesi-associated viruses. Looking ahead, we are leveraging the whole-genome data we have generated to develop a P. knowlesi-specific microhaplotype panel to support high-resolution surveillance across Southeast Asia, starting with a large repository of clinical samples collected through ongoing collaborations in Malaysia and Indonesia. This effort mirrors successful approaches in P. vivax and aims to support scalable, precision public health tools. Overall, our program seeks to harness high-resolution omics datasets to drive novel discovery while laying the groundwork for practical surveillance and control strategies against emerging zoonotic malaria.

Recordings will be available on the ACREME website.