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(Lynette) Isabella Ochola
kilifi [dot] kemri-wellcome [dot] org Research
Studies of natural selection on merozoite genes. Previous work on merozoite antigens, such as AMA1, MSP1 and EBA175 have shown evidence of these genes being under balancing selection. My work involves using population genetic tools to identify genes associated with the merozoite for signatures of selection in natural populations. The aim is to identify new genes that could be potential vaccine candidates.
I also manage the sequencing facility at the unit and am involved with sequencing drug resistance markers.
Collaborations
Publications
LI Ochola and EN Gitau "Challenges in Retaining Research Scientists beyond the Doctoral Level in Kenya" PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. 2009; 3(3):e345.
Tetteh KK, Stewart LB, Ochola LI, Amambua-Ngwa A, Thomas AW, Marsh K, Weedall GD, Conway DJ "Prospective identification of malaria parasite genes under balancing selection"PLoS ONE. 2009;4 (5):e5568. Epub 2009 May 15.
SM Kiara, J Okombo, V Masseno, L Mwai, LI Ochola, S Borrmann, A Nzila. In vitro activity of antifolate and polymorphism in dihydrofolate reductase of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Kenyan coast: Emergence of parasites with Ile-164-Leu mutation. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. (In Press)