On the genetics of malaria parasites, a memoir: Part II, the diversity and phylogeny of the rodent malaria parasites

Abstract

In this abbreviated extract of his memoirs of a life in malaria research, Richard Carter (1945-2021) describes the expansion and genetic characterisation of the rodent malaria parasite collection in Edinburgh, culminating in the description of four species, Plasmodium yoelii, Plasmodium berghei, Plasmodium chabaudi and Plasmodium vinckei, and the separation of these into multiple sub-species. The origins of the use of P. chabaudi for the investigation of the genetic determinants of drug resistance in malaria parasites is discussed.

Keywords: History of malaria; Malaria; Phylogenetics; Richard carter; Rodent malaria parasites.