Worm genome: ‘Major step’ to stop global killer
Posted by staff / October 31, 2011
Scientists have identified the genetic blueprint of the giant intestinal roundworm, Ascaris suum, revealing potential targets to control a devastating parasitic disease.
The disease, known as ascariasis, affects more than one billion people in China, South East Asia, South America, and parts of Africa—killing thousands of people annually and causing chronic effects in young children.
“Sequencing the genome of Ascaris suum is a major step towards controlling the infection it causes because the more we know about the genetics of the parasite and how it works, the better we can fight it with novel treatments,” says Aaron Jex, one of two scientists at the University of Melbourne who led the international research team.
Full story at Futurity.
Photo credit: Peter Nejsum
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