TY - CHAP
T1 - Decoding the Ascaris suum genome using massively parallel sequencing and advanced bioinformatic methods
T2 - unprecedented prospects for fundamental and applied research
AU - Jex, Aaron R.
AU - Liu, Shiping
AU - Li, Bo
AU - Young, Neil D.
AU - Hall, Ross S.
AU - Li, Yingrui
AU - Geldhof, Peter
AU - Nejsum, Peter
AU - Sternberg, Paul W.
AU - Wang, Jun
AU - Yang, Huanming
AU - Gasser, Robin B.
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Parasitic nematodes cause substantial morbidity and mortality in animals and people globally and major losses to food production annually. Ascaris is among the commonest geohelminths of swine and people worldwide, and causes major disease and socioeconomic losses, particularly in developing countries. The control of ascariasis has become a global health and welfare priority, but current treatment programs carry a significant risk of inducing anthelmintic resistance. Therefore, there is a need to work toward the sustainable control of Ascaris/ascariasis, built on a solid understanding of its molecular biology and genetics. Recently, we reported the 273 megabase (Mb) draft genome of Ascaris suum (sequenced from the reproductive tract of a single adult female worm) and explored transcription in different organs, stages, and both sexes of this nematode using advanced sequencing and computer technologies. We characterized key genes and biological pathways linked to the parasite's migration in the host, and its immunobiology, reproduction, and development. We also predicted and prioritized drug targets in A. suum, providing a basis for discovering new groups of nematocides. The present chapter provides an account of these recent advances, describes new methodologies established, and emphasizes prospects for profound investigations into the comparative genomics, genetics, evolution, immunobiology, epidemiology, and ecology of Ascaris from both pig and human hosts as well as for the development of new interventions against ascariasis and other helminthiases. © 2013
AB - Parasitic nematodes cause substantial morbidity and mortality in animals and people globally and major losses to food production annually. Ascaris is among the commonest geohelminths of swine and people worldwide, and causes major disease and socioeconomic losses, particularly in developing countries. The control of ascariasis has become a global health and welfare priority, but current treatment programs carry a significant risk of inducing anthelmintic resistance. Therefore, there is a need to work toward the sustainable control of Ascaris/ascariasis, built on a solid understanding of its molecular biology and genetics. Recently, we reported the 273 megabase (Mb) draft genome of Ascaris suum (sequenced from the reproductive tract of a single adult female worm) and explored transcription in different organs, stages, and both sexes of this nematode using advanced sequencing and computer technologies. We characterized key genes and biological pathways linked to the parasite's migration in the host, and its immunobiology, reproduction, and development. We also predicted and prioritized drug targets in A. suum, providing a basis for discovering new groups of nematocides. The present chapter provides an account of these recent advances, describes new methodologies established, and emphasizes prospects for profound investigations into the comparative genomics, genetics, evolution, immunobiology, epidemiology, and ecology of Ascaris from both pig and human hosts as well as for the development of new interventions against ascariasis and other helminthiases. © 2013
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84882716024&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/B978-0-12-396978-1.00011-2
DO - 10.1016/B978-0-12-396978-1.00011-2
M3 - Book chapter
AN - SCOPUS:84882716024
SN - 9780123969781
SP - 287
EP - 314
BT - Ascaris
A2 - Holland, Celia
PB - Elsevier
ER -