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Published online 15 July 2009 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2009.692
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Sequencing unlocks secrets of blood parasites
Possible drug targets revealed in flatworms that cause schistosomiasis.
Researchers have sequenced the genomes of two species of flatworm that cause the tropical disease schistosomiasis, revealing potential weaknesses that could be exploited by drug developers.
Schistosomiasis — also called bilharzia — is transmitted by water-borne snails, and affects more than 200 million people, many of whom live in Africa.
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Knowledge about whole genome sequence will certainly help in developing drug/vaccine.Discovery of new genes involved in directing the movements of proteins around the organism's cells to hide it from host's immune system need to be investigated in detail in order to develop effective vaccine.Otherwise all solutions will be temperary in nature. Anurag chaurasia, ICAR, India
Since Luiza Freire (UFMG-Brazil) has been working in this very organism research, I wonder if is there any Brazilian involved in this publication? ADRIANO (Graphic Artist - scientific Illustrator)
I wonder what will happen to humans once we have eliminated all disease and parasites from our evolutionary process
RE: Human vs. disease/parasite evolution!? -- Nothing will happen to humans once we have eliminated all diseases and parasites from our evolutionary process. This is because we will never be able to eliminate all diseases and parasites from our body system, including the dreadful cancer and aging. They are just the integral (whether harmful or helpful) products and/or byproducts of our natural evolutionary process on Earth. Even if we could eliminate all diseases or parasites from our body system, there will be always an opportunity for new ones to replace them! That is the scientific and philosophical dynamism of our human vs. disease/parasite evolution! -- Best wishes, Mong 7/17/9usct2:03p; author "Decoding Scientism" and "Consciousness & the Subconscious" (works in progress since July 2007), "Gods, Genes, Conscience" (2006: http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?isbn=0595379907 ) and "Gods, Genes, Conscience: Global Dialogues Now" (blogging avidly since 2006: http://www2.blogger.com/profile/18303146609950569778 ).