Biochemistry and regulation of parasites

The global burden of human diseases caused by parasitic protozoans (e.g., Plasmodium, Leishmania, Trypanosoma) and helminths (e.g., roundworms, Schistosoma) remains a significant challenge, leading to widespread morbidity and mortality. The emergence of drug resistance, persistent infections, and the complexity of parasite life stages highlight an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies.

Modern-day research focusing on the fundamental biochemistry and intricate regulation of parasites, alongside their biochemical interactions with host dynamics, is crucial. By elucidating critical metabolic pathways, protein functions, protein moonlighting (signaling pathways and gene regulation) unique to parasites, or those exploited by them in their hosts, we can unlock key insights for identifying novel drug targets and innovative therapeutic modalities.

This Research Topic specifically aims to gather and discuss cutting-edge biochemical advances in understanding parasite virulence, survival, and host manipulation. We invite articles and reviews encompassing in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies on, but not limited to, the following areas:

· Parasite and host biochemistry.
· Molecular mechanisms of host-parasite recognition, nutrient acquisition, and immune evasion.
· Parasite exploitation and alteration of host metabolism.
· Novel biochemical targets and inhibitors.
· Biochemical immunomodulation by parasites.
· Moonlighting function of metabolic proteins.
· Omics approaches to parasite biochemistry.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Parasite Biochemistry, Host-Parasite Interactions, Antiparasitic Drug Resistance, Novel Drug Targets, Parasite Metabolism, Molecular Pathogenesis

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.