Chapters authored
Circular DNA: How Circular DNA Assists Cancer Roll with Therapeutic Punches
DNA within cells is either present in the form of long strands as in eukaryotes or circular shapes in Yeast plasmids, mitochondrial DNA, and double minutes in tumor cells. Apart from them, ribosomal or telomeric DNA has been found to produce specialized forms of extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA). eccDNA was discovered in both normal and cancer cells in recent times, indicating a much more significant role. The eccDNA has been found to promote tumor proliferation, survival, and aggressiveness in almost half of all cancers by increasing oncogene copy numbers. This chapter will discuss the biogenesis and function of eccDNA and how it promotes tumor adaption under changing microtumour environmental conditions, as in the case of drugs.
Part of the book: Gene Expression
Trichuris: A Critical Review
Trichuris (whipworms) is a type of roundworm that is responsible for trichuriasis in human beings. Globally, 600–800 million people are infected by this helminthic worm per year. Trichuris is more prevalent in some tropical and sub-tropical areas such as East Asia, China, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Americas. These parasitic nematodes affect the small intestines of mammals, causing a great deal of discomfort. Their life cycle is completed in two stages; mammals and the external environment. The zoonotic transmission of the disease is responsible for huge infections and deaths around the world. In recent times, researchers have gained a lot of understanding about the genetics and parasitology of Trichuris. In this chapter, we will discuss the origin, phylogeny, life cycle, diagnosis, and zoonotic transmission of the parasite. At the same time, the chapter discusses the genomics of the parasite and the future directions that can help us contain this parasitic nematode.
Part of the book: Roundworms