PJ183: Malaria Control -- the Millennium Struggle between Human Beings and Infectious Diseases

Title: Malaria Control -- the Millennium Struggle between Human Beings and Infectious Diseases

Date: 4 July -15 July,2022

Contact Day(s) and Time(s): Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri, 9:00~10:40 (UTC+8) Click here to view World Clock Meeting Planner

Date

2022/7/4

2022/7/5

2022/7/6

2022/7/8

2022/7/11

2022/7/12

2022/7/13

2022/7/15

  Weekday

MON

TUE

WED

FRI

MON

TUE

WED

FRI

9:00-10:40

Credit: 1 credit

Course Description

Malaria is an infectious disease with the highest mortality rate in the world. Mankind has been struggling with it since ancient times. However, WHO’s goal of clearing it has not yet been reached, and there is a rebound trend in the past two years. This course covers the discovery and development history of malaria, the prevention and control of vector mosquitoes, as well as the main drugs research and development, and their clinical application on malaria. Artemisinin is the best drug for the treatment of malaria resistance. The combination therapy based on artemisinin drugs is also the most effective and important means for the treatment of malaria. In recent years, with the deepening of research, more and more other functions of artemisinin have been found and applied. However, the supply of artemisinin is unstable and the price fluctuates.

This course introduces the history of malaria transmission, vector mosquito prevention and control and the research and development of malaria drugs, such as the biosynthetic regulation and production of artemisinin, so that students can understand the harm of malaria and the urgency of malaria control, explore the methods to ensure the continuous, stable and low-cost supply of the anti-malaria drug artemisinin, and stimulate students to think about the strategy of eradicating malaria. Through the study and discussion of this course, students will have a new understanding of malaria and the current situation of malaria control, fully understand China's efforts and contributions to the global anti malaria cause, and deeply think about the best strategy of global malaria control for the benefit of all mankind.

Course Component(s)

Mode of Teaching : Synchronous

Type : Discussion

Learning Outcomes 

1.Understand the harm of malaria to human health and the current situation of malaria with a high infection and mortality rate in the world, recognize the importance and urgency of malaria control, master the control approaches of malaria vector mosquitoes, and the research and development of main drugs for curing malaria.

2.Understand the molecular mechanisms of the anti-malaria drug artemisinin biosynthesis, its transcriptional regulation, transport, hormone signal induction and related aspects, as well as understand the synthesis, production status and application prospect of artemisinin.

3.Through the study and discussion of this course, participants will learn the skills of discussing, negotiating, arguing and reaching compromise and consensus with peers of different cultural and disciplinary backgrounds.

Course-specific Restrictions

No specific restrictions

Instructors

Professor Kexuan Tang has been awarded the “ChangJiang Scholar” title. As the director, he is in charge of both the Plant Biotechnology Research Center and the SJTU-Fudan-Nottingham Plant Biotechnology R&D Center (FSN). The centers have developed the mature and efficient extraction, analysis and metabolic engineering platform for a variety of Chinese medicinal plants (Artermisia, Catharanthus, Salva) and have been committed to the study on the antimalarial compound artemisinin for more than 20 years. 

Associate professor Qifang Pan and Associate professor Yuliang Wang, as core members in Plant Biotechnology Research Center and FSN, focus on studying the functions and metabolites of Chinese medicinal plants and Chinese herbs medicine, and have undertaken several undergraduate professional and international courses independently.

Assessment

  1. Group discussion and presentation: 50%;
  2. Final course thesis/poster: 50%

Contact 

Qifang Pan: panqf@sjtu.edu.cn