Recent Progress in Transcriptomics of Key Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Animals - Fundamental Research Toward New Intervention Strategies

Abstract

Much remains to be understood about the fundamental biology of parasitic nematodes that cause serious disease in animals and humans world-wide. Unlocking the biology of these parasites using "omic" technologies will yield new and crucial knowledge of their molecular biology and biochemistry on a global scale. Here, we review progress on the transcriptomics of gastrointestinal nematodes of major socioeconomic importance, focusing on massively parallel (next-generation) sequencing technologies and the latest bioinformatic approaches. We predict exciting prospects for future systems biological explorations of these parasites and for the design of new drugs and/or vaccines. © 2012 Wiley-VCH Verl..