BRITAIN: British scientists have claimed a breakthrough in finding a permanent treatment for malaria.
Scientists say they have identified the element in the make-up of the parasite responsible for the disease which enables it to become quickly resistant to new treatments.
This property has so far severely hampered efforts by drug companies to develop a vaccine against the disease.
Researchers at Edinburgh University's Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology have been working with scientists at the Biotec Institute in the Thai capital, Bangkok, to study the protein responsible.
The findings, which were published in the journal Nature Structural Biology, could have a major impact on the treatment of the disease, which is responsible for killing one African child every 30 seconds.
Scientists say the key lies in a protein called DHFR, which the parasite produces to keep itself alive. Tests using genetic engineering techniques have isolated the part of the protein which changes to protect itself against pyrimethamine, a chemical used in anti-malarial drugs.
Prof Malcolm Walkinshaw, of Edinburgh University said: "We can now use this protein structure to design a new generation of drugs which makes it possible to overcome resistant strains of malaria.
"People have studied this protein for a long time, but until now, no one has been able to determine its detailed structure.
"This is a real breakthrough," Prof Walkinshaw added.
"Drug resistance is a major issue for all infectious diseases, not just malaria."
The research has been funded by the Wellcome Trust, which hopes to use the findings to help develop medicines for people living in and travelling to regions afflicted by malaria.