Developmental genes in the life cycle of a parasitic flatworm

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Tapeworms are a group of more than 10,000 known species adversely affecting the health of both ourselves and our domesticated animals. Their complex life histories centre on the maintenance of a germinative 'neck' region that produces a continuous chain of segments throughout their lives, each replete with male and female reproductive organs capable of producing an enormous number of new infections. Genetic mechanisms underpinning their development are unknown, but have implications for both understanding novel means of therapeutic intervention as well as understanding basic developmental processes in the animal kingdom. This research will examine the roles of Hox and other developmental genes that act to coordinate embryonic axial patterning and other aspects of development throughout the animal kingdom (e.g. establishing which end will develop into the 'head' and which into the 'tail'). By understanding the actions of these genes, this research will resolve fundamental questions regarding how tapeworms became segmented to enable their parasitic lifestyle and how Hox genes are used in the complex development of a parasitic animal. In turn, this will provide a platform for future research on development in other parasitic flatworm groups.