Parasitic helminth reference genomes

MALDONADO, L.L.; GIORELLO, N.; ARCE, L. F.; ARRABAL, J.P; FRANCHINI, G.R.; SARMA, U; OLIVEIRA, G.; BLAXTER, M.; KAMENETZKY L.

Simposio; Parasitic Helminths: New Perspectives in Biology and Infection; 2022

Whole genome sequences provide extraordinary information about any organism. Despite the global impact, bothmedically and economically of helminthic infections these parasite genomes are underrepresented in genomicdatabases. The first genome sequence from a parasitic helminth was published in 2007, since then only ~200 genomesare available most of them being draft assemblies. Our work centers in complete genome sequencing of neglectedparasitic helminthes. Recently, we sequenced the complete genome of Echinococcus canadensis (G7) and comparedit with Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus (G1) genomes. Comparative genomics allowed us toconfirm the status of E. canadensis (G7) as a separate species and demonstrated a high nucleotide sequencesdivergence in relation to E. granulosus (G1). This result was unexpected since both parasite species are considered tobelong to the same species complex: Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. At present there is no unequivocaltaxonomic classification of Echinococcus species therefore additional Cestode genomes are needed to be sequenced.In this regard, we sequence Echinococcus oligarthrus genome to and reconstruct Echinococcus phylogeny by wholegenome SNPs analysis. Also, in an international consortium we are sequencing Echinococcus vogeli and re sequencingEchinococcus spp. form several host and geographical regions. Moreover, we are also sequencing the genome of thegiant kidney worm Dioctophyma renale, the largest parasitic nematode of terrestrial vertebrates described so farwhich affects domestic animals, endangered wildlife, and humans. With this foundational project we aimed to obtaincomplete information about Clade I nematodes which is the least studied group of this phylum