Genomes of parasitic helminths

KAMENETZKY, L.

Otro; Conferences of the University of Tartu, Estonia; 2018

Wholegenome sequences provide extraordinary information about any organism. Despite the globalimpact, both medically and economically of helminthic infections these parasite genomes are underrepresented in genomicdatabases. The first genome sequence from a parasitic helminth waspublished in 2007 since then, only ~200 genomes areavailable most of them being draft assemblies. Our work centers in completegenome secuencing of neglected parasitic helminthes. Recently, we sequenced thecomplete genome of Echinococcuscanadensis(G7)and compared it with E.multilocularis and E. granulosus (G1) genomes. Comparative genomicsallowed us toconfirm the status of E. canadensis(G7) as a separate species anddemonstrated a high nucleotide sequences divergence in relation to E. granulosus (G1). This result wasunexpected since both parasite species are considered to belong to the samespeciescomplex:E. granulosussensulato.At present there is no unequivocal taxonomic classification of Echinococcus species thereforeadditional Cestode genomes are need to be seuqnced. In this regard, we aresequencingEchinococcusoligarthrusgenometo resolve Echinococcusphylogeny and to underpin future work on echinococcosis neglecteddisease. Also, in an international consortium weare sequencing the giant kidney worm Dyoctophymarenale. This parasite is one of the largestparasitic nematodes of vertebrates described so far which affects humans, domestic animals and endangeredwildlife.With this foundational project we aimed to obtain completeinformation about Clade I nematodes which are the least studied members of thisphylum.