50 Helminth Genomes Project

We are surveying the genomes of the parasitic worms that have the greatest impact on human, agricultural and veterinary disease and cause significant global health issues particularly in the developing world.

Despite their global importance both medically and economically, parasitic helminth (worm) research has remained relatively untouched by genomics. Worm infections account for morbidity equivalent to that of malaria or tuberculosis and more than one billion people are infected globally every year. The 50 Helminth Genomes project is working in collaboration with The Genome Institute at Washington University and Gene Pool at Edinburgh University, to:

  • provide rapid draft data for a broad list of parasitic helminths
  • produce high-quality reference genomes for a subset of helminths that include key human pathogens such as whipworms, threadworms, Schistosomes and tapeworms.

[Schistosoma mansoni - CDC/Marianna Wilson]

Background

The term helminth encompasses a broad range of parasitic worms, such as giant roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, flukes and tapeworms, that cause intestinal infections on a staggering scale along with other diseases, which include schistosomiasis (bilharzia), cysticercosis, lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) and onchocerciasis (river blindness).

Strongyloides ratti

Strongyloides ratti [Mark Viney, University of Bristol]
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Helminth infections can be acquired via a range of transmission routes. Schistosome or hookworm larvae directly penetrate the skin from infected water or soil, while filarial worms, such as Onchocerca, are transmitted by insect vectors. Inadequate sanitation is a major risk factor for infection: ingestion of contaminated water and food, containing worm eggs that are excreted with faeces, results in more than one billion people developing intestinal worm diseases globally every year. People with helminth infections commonly have reduced nutritional uptake, tissue reactions (such as granuloma), and may suffer from intestinal obstruction or bleeding, rectal prolapse, or anaemia.

Poverty and helminth infections are inextricably linked. Children are most affected by the diseases; they can suffer from slow growth and reduced cognitive development, which leads to long-lasting effects on educational and wage-earning prospects. Some helminth infections are associated with reduced neo-natal birth weight, increased rates of premature births and higher maternal morbidity. Infections with more than one kind of parasite species are common and helminth infections frequently co-exist with malaria and HIV.

Communities can be profoundly affected by helminth infections. For example, it is common for children to be seen guiding village elders with river blindness, caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus. Blindness and deformity caused by filarial infections can be socially stigmatising and ostracizing.

Our Project

We are aiming to produce genome sequences from more than 50 helminth species using next-generation sequencing technology. Draft assemblies of the genomes will underpin research and progress into these neglected diseases. Gene and protein predictions will provide a resource that can be mined by researchers for diagnostic markers, new drug targets or vaccines. Comparing the genomes will yield evolutionary insights and will enable more to be learnt about the genomic basis for the huge differences in the biology of these parasites and the diseases they cause.

The Helminth Genomes Data is available with open access from the Sanger Institute.

Partners

* quick link - http://q.sanger.ac.uk/imm9spp9