Stem Cell Technologies coupled with Functional Genomics for the study of Parasite Biology and Host-parasite Interactions. Old questions, new approaches.

This research topic follows the success of the first volume: “Stem Cell Technologies meet Stem Cell Biology to shine new light into tropical infectious diseases”. In this first volume 12 contributions showcased advances and novel approaches to understand tropical parasites using stem cells. It presented new models and systems of study that reflect better the natural environment of the host and the parasite, offering access to thus far unattainable cell types and specific genomic backgrounds. This volume also provided new insights into parasite and host biology; these pieces of work are driving this emerging field significantly forward.

Volume 2 aims to address some of the oldest questions about infectious parasites that remain unresolved due to the lack of appropriate models and availability of data. For example, what are good targets for prevention strategies and vaccine development? How does drug resistance arise? How do pathogens survive in vectors? What is the human host's response to particular pathogens, and what are the underlying mechanisms of the diseases caused? How does genomic variation in hosts and pathogens impact the outcome of infections? These are among the many questions stimulating the field toward the cutting-edge combination of functional genomic tools with stem cell technologies, which is expected to lead to an in-depth understanding of parasite biology and their interactions with vectors and definitive hosts, uncovering some of these questions.

Tropical parasites, including unicellular protozoan organisms and helminths, represent a major public health burden, particularly in tropical regions of the world. Furthermore, as global movement becomes easier and more common for leisure, work, or as a result of conflict, the spread of infectious pathogens poses an increasingly real threat worldwide. It is imperative to understand these pathogens to build effective strategies to prevent and control them, as well as to cure the diseases they cause. To achieve this, there is an urgent need to develop better culturing systems, models of study, and genome-wide global data to improve our grasp of these parasites and their interactions with us.

Volume 2 also seeks to increase the study of vectors, including insects, other arthropods, snails, and other molluscs, which are among the most important. These vectors transmit and propagate infectious parasites, and controlling transmission is one of the most effective ways to control the spread and prevalence of infectious pathogens. However, gaps in understanding the relationships between parasites and vectors exist, mainly due to a lack of laboratory models and data, which this volume aims to address.

With the addition of functional genomics, Volume 2 has a broader scope to include a wider range of pathogens, as well as the study of pathogen stem cells in addition to the hosts. It aims to propel the field further, stimulate more research in this area, and make models and data more accessible to a broader scientific community. The resulting work will undoubtedly contribute to the improvement of control strategies and the search for novel tools for the prevention and treatment of tropical infectious diseases.

The following topics summarize the main areas of research and insight from the scientific community that this Research Topic focuses on:
o Development of Advanced Culture Systems
o Functional Genomics and Stem Cell Synergy
o Mechanisms of Drug Resistance and Survival
o Vector-Pathogen Dynamics
o Genomic and Environmental Influences
o Vector Culture Systems
o Macroparasite Stem Cell Lines and Systems
o Host Genomic Variation
o In vivo/ ex vivo culture system to study host-parasite interactions
o Functional genomics for parasites and vectors