Epigenetic contribution to stress adaptation in the parasite Entamoeba histolytica

Background: 50 million people suffer from diarrhea caused by the gastrointestinal protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica globally, with >100,000 deaths/year making E. histolytica the second most fatal protozoan infection. During its life cycle, the parasite is challenged by the host immune response.  Parasite survival depends on their ability to adapt to the ever-changing host environment.

Aims: Our goal is to understand the mechanisms that enable adaptation of Entamoeba parasites to environmental changes imposed by host immune response, following infection. Our emphasis is to understand the role of epigenetic mechanisms and of the gut microbiota in infection, hoping to lead to new venues for therapy.

 

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