Deep within the filarial genome: Progress of The Filarial Genome Project

Four years ago, a WHO/United Nations Development Programme/World Bank-spons ored genome project to study the filarial lymphatic nematode parasite Brugi a malayi was initiated. The project took as its aims gene discovery for dru g target and vaccine candidate identification, genome mapping dissemination of genomic data to the world community and training of endemic country par tners in genomic research. In this article, the principal investigators in the laboratories behind the project describe the background to the project, the data now emerging and goals for the future. Open access to filarial ge nome data is emphasized.