Dear Colleagues,
at the 1998 meeting of the WHO Schistosoma Genome Network, it was decided
to apply for funds to generate high density arrays of the known schistosoma
gene set that has been generated by EST analysis. By the end of the year we
estimate that there will be some 4000 unique sequences available, from
adult (mixed and separate male and female), cercarial, egg, lung and
miracidial cDNA libraries for S mansoni and S. japonicum). Depending on the
relative costs involved (still being investigated), the gene sets would be
prepared as either microarrays on glass slides or as high density grids on
nylon filters. These would then be available for the community to use to
assay changes in gene expression, for example;
between different life cycle stages
between male and female worms
between immature, sexually mature and reproductively senescent female worms
between drug resistant and susceptible parasites
on temperature shock
etc. etc.
If you would be interested in using these arrays, I would be very grateful
to receive from you, an email or (preferably) a fax on headed paper,
supporting the production of this resource, that can be included in the
appliication.
Thanks in advance,
David.
David A. Johnston,
Secretary to the WHO Schistosoma Genome Network,
Biomedical Parasitology Division,
Dept. of Zoology,
The Natural History Museum,
Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, England, UK.
Tel: 0171-938-9297 (from outside the UK: 44-171-938-9297)
Fax: 0171-938-9297 / 9249 / 8754 (from outside the UK: 44-171-938****)
eMail daj at nhm.ac.uk
Please note the new WW site address:
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/schisto/
The Biomedical Parasitology Division is a WHO Collaborating Centre for the
identification of schistosomes and their snail hosts.
