Medical Sciences

Laboratory experiment

The genetics of Haemoglobinopathies and G6PD deficiency. How do these diseases confer resistance to malaria species?

Sickle cell disorders are characterised by Haemoglobin S (Hb S) – a variant of normal haemoglobin as a result of a single nucleotide mutation. This Hb S is now known to provide protection against malaria species, in particular, Plasmodium falciparum. Other haemolytic anaemias, such as G6PD deficiency, also confer a resistance to malaria.