Land Rover helps to tackle malaria

LAND ROVER has been engineering vehicles capable of tackling the toughest terrain around the world for more than 70 years, and now it is working with the Mobile Malaria Project, winners of the 2018 Land Rover Bursary in partnership with the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), as it heads to sub-saharan Africa to embark on a unique eight-week journey.

Made up of three Oxford University researchers, led by Dr George Busby, the Mobile Malaria Project will travel more than 6300 km across Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya. Driving a specially-modified Discovery, they will investigate the challenges facing those on the front line of malaria control in Africa – where 90 per cent of the world’s cases occur.

Designed and developed by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, the Discovery is equipped with a mobile genetic sequencing laboratory that makes full use of the vehicle’s 1137-litre load space. Not only does it feature a fridge/freezer unit to safely store scientific supplies, there is also a bespoke load space configuration frame system with specially-designed storage equipment cases and an on-board expedition battery.

The exterior comes with bespoke additions too, including a purpose-built dual sun awning, rescue equipment, a winch, sand/mud tracks, expedition roof rack and LED night driving lamps.

These modifications will allow the team to trial portable DNA sequencing technology, in collaboration with African research centres, to better understand how the technology can be used in different locations. This will provide important information about malaria parasite and mosquito populations, including drug and insecticide resistance.

More information about the journey can be found on the Mobile Malaria Project website, check it out: https:// mobilemalaria.com/.