Establishing a Laboratory for Parasite Genome Analysis: Focus on the Parasitic Protozoa Toxoplasma, Trypanosoma and Leishmania

Abstract

Over the past twelve months we have been working towards the establishment of a new laboratory for Parasite Genome Analysis at the University of Cambridge, U.K. This laboratory will build on, and provide new tools for, research addressing specific biological problems, but taking on board the philosophy of other major (e.g. human, Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans) genome projects which provide a major resource for the international research community. The major aims of the initiative are:-

• 1. To establish a laboratory for Parasite Genome Analysis in Cambridge concentrating initially on production of Yeast Artifical Chromosome (YAC) and dual purpose shuttle vector/mapping pacmid P1 and cosmid libraries for the protozoan parasites Toxoplasma, Trypanosoma, and Leishmania. High density filters will be produced for mapping purposes and made available to the international research community. A central mapping database will be established in Cambridge.

• 2. To develop a series of PCR-based sequence tagged site (STS), polymorphic STS (pSTS), expression tagged site (ETS) markers to provide genetic and physical mapping tools which can be used to analyse genetic/phenotypic/karyotypic variation in natural populations of these parasites.

• 3. To use, and make generally available, the mapping and dual purpose shuttle vector/mapping libraries as a major resource in addressing specific biological problems by reverse genetics.

• 4. To exploit these parasite genomes, where the chromosomes are resolvable by pulse-field gel electrophoresis and the genome sizes are two orders of magnitude smaller then mammalian genomes, as models to address broader questions relating to the evolution and organization of eukaryote genomes.