Preprint on human-malaria genetic association across populations now out

Our preprint on the evolution of the sickle-associated variants is now out! This work grew out of a collaboration with Andre Python (Zhejian University) and as well as several other people who contributed ideas and data.

The paper examines the distribution of the P.falciparum sickle-associated (Pfsa) variants across geographical space and evolutionary time. Via a series of analyses we conclude that geographical variation in the prevalence of sickle haemoglobin genotypes may have acted to maintain the Pfsa mutations polymorphic in African populations, over potentially long time periods.