Michael E. Steiper
Graduate Student, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

"Determining if the Genetic Make-up of Orangutans in Borneo is Evolving to Combat Malaria"

(Category: Biomedical Research)

Orangutans in the wild are highly endangered, and the genetic health of a population is one important factor that conservationists will need to evaluate when they decide which populations and how many animals will be targeted for conservation. Scientists are also beginning to recognize the importance of understanding human diseases and how they affect non-human primates. About 40% of the human population is at risk for contracting malaria, another 300 - 500 million people are already living with the disease, and millions die from the disease each year. As the human population invades the habitat of apes and other animals at risk for contracting malaria, the risk of transmitting parasites such as malaria to other species increases. Many molecular adaptations to combat malaria have evolved in humans by natural selection, and Mr. Steiper is planning to study whether Bornean orangutans are developing similar genetic adaptations to combat the disease. Using newly developed theoretical methods in population genetics and automated DNA sequencing technology, Mr. Steiper hopes to understand how human malaria is similar to and different from the malaria of orangutans in order to assist human malaria research programs. In addition, studying orangutan malaria will provide better information to conservationists regarding the maintenance of genetic diversity in orangutan populations, especially if it is determined that certain genetic adaptations are necessary for the survival of the species.