Molecular Parasitology

In the past years, genome projects for numerous human parasites have been completed and now allow first in depth comparisons and evolutionary conclusions. The genomes of parasites reflect the coevolution with their host, metabolic capacities depending on their respective habitat in the host. Gut parasites usually have an anaerobic metabolism, while blood parasites have an aerobic metabolism, intracellular parasites escape the immune system, while extracellular parasites evade the immune system, usually by antigenic variation. Comprehensive genome data now being available allow us to address profound scientific questions, such as which traits enable the parasite to survive in the human host, which to cause disease and which can be used as drug targets. This book intends to give an overview of the state of knowledge on “the molecules” of protozoan parasites – on their genomes, proteomes, glycomes and lipidomes.

A valuable, new source, Molecular Medical Parasitology is the only text of its kind -- one that applies broad concepts and current scientific advances from both molecular biology and biochemistry to the study of parasitic organisms. An internationally renowned team of scientists and physicians places parasites in their broad biological contexts while still emphasizing the specifics that differentiate these organisms. Not only will researchers and faculty in parasitology find this an indispensable guide, physicians will benefit from the thorough coverage molecular biology and biochemistry's current influences on treatment and management of parasitic diseases. Features the most up-to-date scientific methods behind the medical management of parasitic diseases Applies the most current synthesis of molecular biology and biochemistry to parasitic organisms Contains many informative figures and clear illustrations

It has been estimated that approximately one fifth of the world's population is carrying one or more of the parasitic organisms which cause malaria schistosomiasis, trypanosomiasis and other debilitating diseases. The study of these immensely successful organisms has traditionally drawn on many disciplines, especially microbiology, immunology and biochemistry. Over the last decade, parasitologists have acquired an additional and very powerful tool in the form of molecular biology and its associated technology. This has led to the analysis of parasitic systems in detail undreamed of only a generation ago. As the picture of molecular actions and interactions builds up, so new aproaches to combatting parasites suggest themselves.

In the past years, genome projects for numerous human parasites have been completed and now allow first in depth comparisons and evolutionary conclusions. The genomes of parasites reflect the coevolution with their host, metabolic capacities depending on their respective habitat in the host. Gut parasites have an anaerobic metabolism, while blood parasites have an aerobic metabolism, intracellular parasites escape the immune system, while extracellular parasites evade the immune system, usually by antigenic variation. Comprehensive genome data now being available allow us to address profound scientific questions, such as which traits enable the parasite to survive in the human host, which to cause disease and which can be used as drug targets? This book intends to give an overview of the state of knowledge on “the molecules” of parasites – on their genomes, proteomes, glycomes and lipidomes. ​

The study of parasitic organisms at the molecular level has yielded fascinating new insights of great medical, social, and economical importance, and has pointed the way for the treatment and prevention of the diseases they cause. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Parasites presents an up-to-date account of this modern scientific discipline in a manner that allows and encourages the reader to place the biochemistry and molecular biology of these organisms in their biological context. The chapters are cross-referenced and grouped in an arrangement that provides a fully integrated whole, and permits the reader to create a composite of the biochemical function of these organisms. Individual chapter includes those devoted to metabolism, in both aerobic and anaerobic protozoa; antioxidant mechanisms; parasite surfaces; organelles; invasion mechanisms; and chemotherapy. The helminths are discussed not only from the point of view of their cellular biochemistry and metabolism, but also with respect to both their integrated functions such as neurochemistry, structure and functions of surfaces, and reproduction. Written by expert investigators, this book will be of interest to all experienced researchers, graduate students, and to the newcomer eager to become familiar with the biochemistry and molecular biology of parasites.

It is estimated that more than half of the human population, plus a much greater number of domestic and wild animals suffer from parasitic infections. In addition to their relevance in human and animal health, parasites have become the object of extensive studies by cellular and molecular biologists. The present volume of Essays in Biochemistry provides an overview of recent advances in the biochemistry and molecular biology of the most relevant unicellular parasites. The most recent advances in the study of these human parasites (Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Trichomonas, Giardia and Entamoeba) will be discussed after a short introduction about the general progress in the field.