Malaria is an important vector-borne disease caused by the parasite of the  genus Plasmodium and is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is a significant global public health concern especially to the tropical and sub-tropical countries. Currently, malaria-endemic countries emphasize on eliminating malaria with focus on the human parasites P. falciparum and P. vivax. However, zoonotic malaria caused by P. knowlesi, a simian parasite naturally found in wild macaques responsible to more than 80% of hospital admission for malaria cases, particularly in Malaysian Borneo.

The Malaria Research Centre (MRC) was established as one of the Centres of Excellence in UNIMAS in January 2006. The research undertaken at the MRC utilises molecular tools to study in detail the epidemiology, clinical features and population genetics of malaria parasites, particularly in the Malaysian Borneo region. A landmark discovery by scientists working at the MRC was of a large focus of human infections with Plasmodium knowlesi in Sarawak, a parasite normally found in long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques. The MRC research team subsequently made several other key discoveries which have highlighted knowlesi malaria as a significant, life-threatening zoonotic disease, findings of various species of Anopheles mosquitoes as potential vectors and simian reservoir hosts. Recently, we have discovered that the transmission of P. knowlesi is very complex, where we revealed that there are at least three highly divergent P. knowlesi genotypes infecting humans. Besides P. knowlesi, we also found that the cause of zoonotic malaria in Malaysia is not confined to P. knowlesi, but also other simian Plasmodium species such as P. cynomolgi and P. inui. All of our research findings have been published in international peer-reviewed journals.

At the MRC, we continue to use molecular tools as our strength to study the genetic diversity and transmission of zoonotic malaria. Our research interests in malaria include molecular epidemiology, population genetics and genomics, evolution of malaria parasites, geographic information system (GIS), antimalarial activity, vector biology and public health. We provide postgraduate training to talented students and occasionally host visiting researchers from various local and oversea institutions. Therefore, we humbly invite you to join us and be part of our team. Together, we fight malaria!

Dr Paul Cliff Simon Divis
Director, Malaria Research Centre