Veterinary Biosciences - Research Publications

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/11343/194095

Filters

2016 3
Reset filters

Settings
Statistics
Citations
End date: 2016 × Start date: 2016 × Type: Chapter ×

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    Understanding Haemonchus contortus Better Through Genomics and Transcriptomics
    Gasser, RB ; Schwarz, EM ; Korhonen, PK ; Young, ND ; Gasser, RB ; VonSamsonHimmelstjerna, G (ELSEVIER ACADEMIC PRESS INC, 2016)
    Parasitic roundworms (nematodes) cause substantial mortality and morbidity in animals globally. The barber's pole worm, Haemonchus contortus, is one of the most economically significant parasitic nematodes of small ruminants worldwide. Although this and related nematodes can be controlled relatively well using anthelmintics, resistance against most drugs in common use has become a major problem. Until recently, almost nothing was known about the molecular biology of H. contortus on a global scale. This chapter gives a brief background on H. contortus and haemonchosis, immune responses, vaccine research, chemotherapeutics and current problems associated with drug resistance. It also describes progress in transcriptomics before the availability of H. contortus genomes and the challenges associated with such work. It then reviews major progress on the two draft genomes and developmental transcriptomes of H. contortus, and summarizes their implications for the molecular biology of this worm in both the free-living and the parasitic stages of its life cycle. The chapter concludes by considering how genomics and transcriptomics can accelerate research on Haemonchus and related parasites, and can enable the development of new interventions against haemonchosis.
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    Recent Advances in Elucidating Nematode Moulting - Prospects of Using Oesophagostomum dentatum as a Model
    Ondrovics, M ; Gasserx, RB ; Joachim, A ; Rollinson, D ; Stothard, JR (ELSEVIER ACADEMIC PRESS INC, 2016)
    There are major gaps in our knowledge of many molecular biological processes that take place during the development of parasitic nematodes, in spite of the fact that understanding such processes could lead to new ways of treating and controlling parasitic diseases via the disruption of one or more biological pathways in the parasites. Progress in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and bioinformatics now provides unique opportunities to investigate the molecular basis of key developmental processes in parasitic nematodes. The porcine nodule worm, Oesophagostomum dentatum, represents a large order (Strongylida) of socioeconomically important nematodes, and provides a useful platform for exploring molecular developmental processes, particularly given that this nematode can be grown and maintained in culture in vitro for periods longer than most other nematodes of this order. In this article, we focus on the moulting process (ecdysis) in nematodes; review recent advances in our understanding of molecular aspects of moulting in O. dentatum achieved by using integrated proteomic-bioinformatic tools and discuss key implications and future prospects for research in this area, also with respect to developing new anti-nematode interventions and biotechnological outcomes.
  • Item
    No Preview Available
    Harnessing the Toxocara Genome to Underpin Toxocariasis Research and New Interventions
    Gasser, RB ; Korhonen, PK ; Zhux, X-Q ; Young, ND ; Rollinson, D ; Stothard, JR (ELSEVIER ACADEMIC PRESS INC, 2016)
    Parasitic worms, such as flatworms (platyhelminths) and roundworms (nematodes), cause substantial morbidity and mortality in animals and people globally. The ascaridoid nematode Toxocara canis is a zoonotic parasite of socioeconomic significance worldwide. In humans, this worm causes toxocariasis (disease) mainly in underprivileged communities in both the developed and developing worlds. While reasonably well studied from clinical and epidemiological perspectives, little is understood about the molecular biology of T. canis, its relationship with its hosts and the disease that it causes. However, a recent report of the draft genome and transcriptomes of T. canis should underpin many fundamental and applied research areas in the future. The present article gives a background on Toxocara and toxocariasis, a brief account of diagnostic approaches for specific identification and genetic analysis, and gives a perspective on the impact that the genome of T. canis and advanced molecular technologies could have on our understanding of the parasite and the diseases that it causes as well as the design of new and improved approaches for the diagnosis, treatment and control of toxocariasis.