Kinetoplastid genomics: the thin end of the wedge.
The completion of the genome sequencing projects for major pathogens Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania major has enabled numerous studies that would have been difficult or impossible to perform otherwise. New technologies in sequencing and protein analyses promise further rapid expansion in our capabilities. The keys to successful use of these new tools are recognizing the power and limitations of studies performed thus far, grasping the unrealized potential of new and developing technologies, and creating access to a multidisciplinary set of skills that will facilitate research, particularly in the bioinformatic analysis of the reams of data that will be forthcoming. In this Discussion, we will provide an overview of kinetoplastid genomics studies with emphasis on studies advanced through genomic data, and a preview of what may come in the near future.
Sturm
Nancy R
NR
Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. nsturm@ucla.edu
Martinez
L L Isadora Trejo
LL
Thomas
Sean
S
D000818:Animals; D019295:Computational Biology; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016830:Kinetoplastida / Q000235:genetics*; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000235:genetics; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways / Q000235:genetics; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000235:genetics; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000235:genetics