Investigating Cryptosporidium spp. Using Genomic, Proteomic and Transcriptomic Techniques: Current Progress and Future Directions

Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis is a widespread disease caused by the parasitic protozoanCryptosporidium spp., which infects various vertebrate species, including humans. Once unknownas a gastroenteritis-causing agent, Cryptosporidium spp. is now recognized as a pathogen causinglife-threatening disease, especially in immunocompromised individuals such as AIDS patients. Ad-vances in diagnostic methods and increased awareness have led to a significant shift in the perceptionof Cryptosporidium spp. as a pathogen. Currently, genomic and proteomic studies play a main rolein understanding the molecular biology of this complex-life-cycle parasite. Genomics has enabledthe identification of numerous genes involved in the parasite’s development and interaction withhosts. Proteomics has allowed for the identification of protein interactions, their function, struc-ture, and cellular activity. The combination of these two approaches has significantly contributedto the development of new diagnostic tools, vaccines, and drugs for cryptosporidiosis. This re-view presents an overview of the significant achievements in Cryptosporidium research by utilizinggenomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics approaches.