Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Parasites
Powerful technological advances have revolutionized the study of biology at the sub-cellular level. The promise of advances in parasitology from the application of these tools is great, and will lead to many new career opportunities. Genetics of parasites can be elucidated at levels never before possible using techniques such as polymerase chain reaction.
Many applications can be foreseen from enhanced knowledge of parasite genetics, including development of diagnostic tools for the detection and specific diagnosis of parasites. Elucidation of metabolic pathways will not only add basic insights about the ways in which parasites differ from free-living organisms, but these differences can be exploited by developing chemotheraputic strategies against parasites that target metabolic differences of parasites and their hosts.