Eww! Worms!

A research team from the University of Melbourne has completed a study into the genome of the giant intestinal roundworm, a parasite that kills several thousand people a year, and has infected about a sixth of the world's population.

The study analysed the genome of a related worm, the pig roundworm, to learn more about the roundworm that infects humans, which commonly grows up to 30 cm in length. By collating genetic data, the team hoped to find out more about the way the worm works, and identify easy and cheap methods to fight it.

From the genome sequence, the group has identified five high priority drug targets that are likely to be relevant for many other parasitic worms. This may lead to new treatments that are urgently needed, for genome-guided drug target discovery is ideal for identifying targets that selectively kill the parasite and not the host.

The said disease is rare in developed Western nations, but is extremely prevalent in areas such as South-East Asia, and particularly Africa.

Source:

http://newsroom.melbourne.edu/news/n-672