ARMEA Project (Artemisinin Resistance Molecular Epidemiology in Africa) – Malaria Research Project

Project Aim

The overarching aim of the ARMEA project is to advance understanding of artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum in sub-Saharan Africa by genotyping the Kelch13 gene to identify mutations associated with artemisinin resistance. The project also aims to explore potential drivers of emerging artemisinin resistance in the region through patient interviews covering healthcare-seeking behavior, sources of antimalarial drugs, use of herbal remedies, and sociodemographic factors.

Project Objectives

To genotype the Kelch13 gene of Plasmodium falciparum to identify mutations associated with artemisinin resistance across nine sentinel sites in Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC.
To administer a questionnaire-based patient interview to explore potential drivers of emerging artemisinin resistance.
To examine potential resistance drivers for the entire study population, with stratifications by study site.
To strengthen local research capacity through hands-on training and mentoring of MSc-level students in molecular biology, artemisinin resistance molecular surveillance, and risk factor analysis.

Project Outcome

The project is expected to produce several outcomes, including: data on Kelch13 gene mutations associated with artemisinin resistance across the study sites; analysis of risk factors driving emerging artemisinin resistance in the region; a better understanding of local differences in resistance drivers; strengthened research capacity through training of MSc students in molecular biology, artemisinin resistance molecular surveillance, and risk factor analysis; and enhanced surveillance and response to artemisinin resistance in sub-Saharan Africa. The MSc student supported by the project will gain hands-on experience in molecular techniques for malaria research and subsequent analysis, producing a thesis as part of their MSc program.

Team Members

Department of Public Health, Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) – Collaborating Institution, Host for MSc Student
Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Makerere University – Collaborating Institution
Institute of International Health (IIH), Charité Center for Global Health, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin – Collaborating Institution
Mr. J. Rubaihayo (MMU) – Contact Person for Applications (jrubaihayo@mmu.ac.ug)

Project Period
The MSc thesis component is for 12 months, starting in 2025. The overall multicenter project timeline is not fully specified, but involves two rounds of recruitment across nine sentinel sites in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Project Funder
Else-Kroner-Fresenius Foundation (EKFS) and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Project Leadership
The project is a multicenter collaboration involving the Department of Public Health at Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) in Fort Portal, Uganda; the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda; and the Institute of International Health (IIH) at Charité Center for Global Health, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. The successful MSc candidate will be based at MMU Department of Public Health and Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital Molecular Laboratory.

Principal Investigator
Project is coordinated by the collaborating institutions (MMU, IDI, and Charité). The contact for applications is Mr. J. Rubaihayo (jrubaihayo@mmu.ac.ug) at MMU.