Neurobiology of schistosomes

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The bloodfluke Schistosoma mansoni causes a debilitating disease called schistosomiasis that afflicts over 200 million people worldwide. At present, there are few drugs available for treatment of schistosomiasis and the incidence of drug resistance is rising. In this study, we are studying the process by which schistosomes control movement within the host. The parasites exhibit an intricate pattern of migration in the bloodstream, moving through the heart and lungs towards their final destination in the hepatic portal system, where the mature worms typically reside. This migration is controlled by the parasite's own neuromuscular system and by host-derived substances that influence motility. Our goal is to identify the mechanisms involved in this regulation, in particular the receptors that mediate muscle contraction in the parasite. Through these studies we hope to learn more about the basic biology of schistosomes and to discover more effective forms of treatment against this serious disease.