GS 3: Science & Technology – Awareness In The Fields Of It, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-Technology, Bio-Technology

Why in News?

African Nation, Malawi will be undertaking large scale pilot tests for the world’s most advanced experimental malaria vaccine in a bid to prevent the disease.

Highlights:

• The vaccine has been recommended by WHO for pilot introduction in selected areas of 3 African countries- Ghana, Kenya and Malawi.
• RTS,S, known by its trade name Mosquirix, uses antibodies to target proteins presented by sporozoites (such as the circumsporozoite protein of falciparum).
• To enhance the immune system and help prevent the parasite from infecting the liver.
• Mosquirix is also engineered using a hepatitis B viral protein and a chemical adjuvant to further boost the immune response for enhanced effectiveness.

Malaria:

• It is caused by the infectious Plasmodium.
• It is spreaded by female Anopheles Mosquitoes deposit parasite sporozoites into the skin of a human host.
• Malaria is a leading cause of human morbidity and mortality.