Intracellular parasites, such as those responsible for malaria, Chagas disease, and visceral leishmaniasis, present unique challenges in healthcare due to their ability to evade immune detection and thrive within human hosts. These pathogens, responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates, exploit complex life cycles and interactions with both human and vector hosts, underscoring the urgency in developing effective therapeutic interventions. Current treatments often fall short, with diseases like malaria claiming around 600,000 lives annually and others posing significant health threats in economically disadvantaged regions.

This Research Topic aims to illuminate and advance the methodologies for discovering and exploiting novel drug targets against intracellular parasites. Given the complexities of their life cycles and survival mechanisms—ranging from the evasion of host immune systems to the exploitation of cellular processes for invasion—this topic seeks to foster a deeper understanding of parasite biology that can inform new therapeutic approaches. Innovative strategies such as drug repurposing, high-throughput screening, and the application of AI in understanding parasite protein interactions offer promising paths forward in this vital field of study.

To gather further insights into the development of targeted treatments and interventions, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

-Identification and validation of critical pathways and proteins crucial for parasite survival within host cells.

-Novel drug delivery systems including nanoformulations to enhance bioavailability and efficacy specifically in intracellular or vector-specific contexts.

-Para-transgenic strategies and other genetic interventions for blocking disease transmission.

-Advanced screening technologies that provide functional insights into the pharmacodynamics of potential treatments.

-Exploration of the mechanisms of action for new antiparasitic compounds identified through various screening paradigms.

The scope of this Research Topic covers a range of interdisciplinary approaches and aims to compile a comprehensive overview of the current advancements and future directions in the battle against intracellular parasites. Through this collection of original research and review articles, we hope to catalyze the development of effective, innovative treatments that can reduce the global health burden of these complex diseases.

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Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences

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