Malaria entomology: can genomics help?

Abstract

The field of genomics has advanced over the last decades to the forefront of molecular genetic research. Many genomes, including that of yeast, have already been sequenced and the determination of the genome sequence of several higher organisms is now within sight, including the complete DNA sequence of Homo sapiens. Here I review the state of the Anopheles gambiae genomic research and I present the current plans for an 'Anopheles Genome Project'. An understanding of the structure and function of the vector's genome may ultimately provide better tools for the control of the malaria mosquito.