title: The genome and developmental transcriptome of the strongylid nematode Haemonchus contortus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The barber's pole worm, Haemonchus contortus, is one of the most economically important parasites of small ruminants worldwide. Although this parasite can be controlled using anthelmintic drugs, resistance against most drugs in common use has become a widespread problem. We provide a draft of the genome and the transcriptomes of all key developmental stages of H. contortus to support biological and biotechnological research areas of this and related parasites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The draft genome of H. contortus is 320 Mb in size and encodes 23,610 protein-coding genes. On a fundamental level, we elucidate transcriptional alterations taking place throughout the life cycle, characterize the parasite's gene silencing machinery, and explore molecules involved in development, reproduction, host-parasite interactions, immunity, and disease. The secretome of H. contortus is particularly rich in peptidases linked to blood-feeding activity and interactions with host tissues, and a diverse array of molecules is involved in complex immune responses. On an applied level, we predict drug targets and identify vaccine molecules.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The draft genome and developmental transcriptome of H. contortus provide a major resource to the scientific community for a wide range of genomic, genetic, proteomic, metabolomic, evolutionary, biological, ecological, and epidemiological investigations, and a solid foundation for biotechnological outcomes, including new anthelmintics, vaccines and diagnostic tests. This first draft genome of any strongylid nematode paves the way for a rapid acceleration in our understanding of a wide range of socioeconomically important parasites of one of the largest nematode orders.
authors.forename: Erich M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Pasi K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Korhonen
authors.forename: Bronwyn E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Neil D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Aaron R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Jex
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jabbar
authors.forename: Ross S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Alinda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mondal
authors.forename: Adina C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pell
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Boag
authors.forename: Xing-Quan
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gregory
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loukas
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Antoshechkin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Sternberg
authors.forename: Robin B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Gasser
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000494:pharmacology; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000235:genetics*; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D059646:Genome Size; D049751:Genome, Helminth; D006188:Haemonchiasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D006189:Haemonchus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008018:Life Cycle Stages / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D059467:Transcriptome
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases