Post-genomic nematode parasitology

The future direction of post-genomic nematode parasitology should focus on the function of the genes that are defined by large-scale expressed sequenc e tag sequencing and on broader questions about the genetic basis of parasi tism. Functional characterisation will require the application of high thro ughput technologies that have been developed in other fields, including gen ome mapping strategies and DNA microarray analysis. These will be greatly a ided by the development and application of appropriate model organisms. It is: crucial that the field make the transition from a narrow focus on one o r a few genes at a time to a focus on whole genomes in order to fully reali se the potential of the expressed sequence tag and other genomic projects c urrently under way. (C) 2001 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. publi shed by Elsevier Science Ltd. Ali rights reserved.