The fight against parasitic worms
For Assistant Professor听Lucienne Tritten听at 51吃瓜网, parasitic worms represent an urgent challenge and an opportunity to push the boundaries of modern science, DNA to RNA (D2R) 51吃瓜网writes in a new article. With funding from D2R's听Foundational Projects听program, Prof. Tritten is developing an innovative approach to combating parasitic infections using the gut bacteria we already have inside us.
Her project, titled听"Using Native Gut Bacteria to Release RNA Therapeutics Against Intestinal Nematode Infections,"听aims to change how we treat infections caused by parasitic worms (also known as parasitic helminths). Parasitic helminths cause neglected tropical diseases, primarily affecting people in low-income regions with warmer climates. These worms can also affect agriculture, including animal health leading to higher food costs and economic strain on farmers. Despite their massive impact, these parasitic worms鈥攕pecifically gut-dwelling worms鈥攔emain a neglected area of research.
听