Molecular evolution and phylogenetics of rodent malaria parasites.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Over the last 6 decades, rodent Plasmodium species have become key model systems for understanding the basic biology of malaria parasites. Cell and molecular parasitology have made much progress in identifying genes underpinning interactions between malaria parasites, hosts, and vectors. However, little attention has been paid to the evolutionary genetics of parasites, which provides context for identifying potential therapeutic targets and for understanding the selective forces shaping parasites in natural populations. Additionally, understanding the relationships between species, subspecies, and strains, is necessary to maximize the utility of rodent malaria parasites as medically important infectious disease models, and for investigating the evolution of host-parasite

SUBMITTER: Ramiro RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3538709 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature