About this Research Topic
In the 21st century, infectious diseases still threaten human health in both developing and developed countries. The World Health Organization recently reported that infectious diseases are directly responsible for 15% of all deaths worldwide, making them a challenging area of investigation.
In addition to bacteria and viruses, eukaryotic parasites also produce a large range of symptoms that can lead to disfiguring, debilitating, and lethal diseases. Among them, malaria caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium, is the highest cause of death by parasites followed by Schistosoma mansoni which is responsible for schistosomiasis. Other relevant eukaryotic parasites that significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality worldwide include Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba histolytica, Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Trichomonas, Giardia, Filarial worms, Echinococcus and Taenia. Antiparasitic drugs are available, but the existence of adverse effects and resistance events may jeopardize the efficient control of these infectious diseases. Moreover, no vaccines currently exist.
Genome sequence analysis and multi-omics strategies mainly based on transcriptomics and proteomics, have contributed a lot to extending our knowledge of parasite biology, virulence, and host-interactions. However, it is the computational integration of multi-omics data that will help us elucidate the molecular networks supporting these living systems, providing key elements for the development of more effective prevention, prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment.
In this Research Topic, we therefore aim to present the current landscape of systems biology strategies in parasitic infections that threaten human health. We aim to bring together recent studies performed in protozoan and helminth parasites, to gain new insights about parasite biology, host-parasite interactions, and potential targets for the development of novel drugs or vaccines.
We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Brief Research Reports, and Mini-Reviews, on systems biology strategies in any of the eukaryotic parasites that affect human health. These include, but are not limited to Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba histolytica, Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Trichomonas, Giardia, Schistosoma mansoni, Onchocerca volvulus, Brugia, Echinococcus and Taenia. We are particularly interested in works falling under the following topics:
• Comparative multi-omics analysis
• Transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics
• Transcriptome and proteome pipeline in eukaryotic parasites
• Complex networks in transcriptome and proteome
In addition to bacteria and viruses, eukaryotic parasites also produce a large range of symptoms that can lead to disfiguring, debilitating, and lethal diseases. Among them, malaria caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium, is the highest cause of death by parasites followed by Schistosoma mansoni which is responsible for schistosomiasis. Other relevant eukaryotic parasites that significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality worldwide include Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba histolytica, Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Trichomonas, Giardia, Filarial worms, Echinococcus and Taenia. Antiparasitic drugs are available, but the existence of adverse effects and resistance events may jeopardize the efficient control of these infectious diseases. Moreover, no vaccines currently exist.
Genome sequence analysis and multi-omics strategies mainly based on transcriptomics and proteomics, have contributed a lot to extending our knowledge of parasite biology, virulence, and host-interactions. However, it is the computational integration of multi-omics data that will help us elucidate the molecular networks supporting these living systems, providing key elements for the development of more effective prevention, prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment.
In this Research Topic, we therefore aim to present the current landscape of systems biology strategies in parasitic infections that threaten human health. We aim to bring together recent studies performed in protozoan and helminth parasites, to gain new insights about parasite biology, host-parasite interactions, and potential targets for the development of novel drugs or vaccines.
We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Brief Research Reports, and Mini-Reviews, on systems biology strategies in any of the eukaryotic parasites that affect human health. These include, but are not limited to Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba histolytica, Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Trichomonas, Giardia, Schistosoma mansoni, Onchocerca volvulus, Brugia, Echinococcus and Taenia. We are particularly interested in works falling under the following topics:
• Comparative multi-omics analysis
• Transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics
• Transcriptome and proteome pipeline in eukaryotic parasites
• Complex networks in transcriptome and proteome
Keywords: Bioinformatics, diagnosis, eukaryotic parasites, host-pathogen interactions, human parasites, networks, omics data, parasite biology, prevention, system biology, treatment
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