Global health R&D at work in Iowa
Iowa State University (ISU) researchers are looking for solutions to combat parasitic worms and the diseases they cause. ISU scientists are part of an international research team that sequenced the genomes of 81 worm species, including 45 that had never been sequenced before, to identify gene families associated with their critical functions. Parasitic worms are responsible for neglected tropical diseases such as hookworm, river blindness, and schistosomiasis, which are a significant source of illness in poor communities worldwide that lack access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation. By examining the worms’ genomes, the team hopes to identify areas of vulnerability that could be targeted with new drug treatments.