A Genetic Map and Recombination Parameters of the Human Malaria Parasite

Genetic investigations of malaria require a genome-wide, high-resolution link-age map of Plasmodium falciparum. A genetic cross was used to construct such a map from 901 markers that fall into 14 inferred linkage groups corresponding to the 14 nuclear chromosomes. Meiotic crossover activity in the genome proved high (17 kilobases per centimorgan) and notably uniform over chro-mosome length. Gene conversion events and spontaneous microsatellite length changes were evident in the inheritance data. The markers, map, and recom-bination parameters are facilitating genome sequence assembly, localization of determinants for such traits as virulence and drug resistance, and genetic studies of parasite Þeld populations. The pressing need for progress against P. falciparum has led to international research initiatives, including collaborations to se-quence the genome, determine its transcrip-tion patterns, and characterize its expresse