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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Animal Disease Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #427155
Research Project: Control Strategies for Bovine Babesiosis

Location: Animal Disease Research Unit

Title: Pushing the frontiers of babesiosis research: in vitro culture and gene editing

Author
item LI, DONG-FANG - Huazhong Agricultural University
item WANG, SEN - Huazhong Agricultural University
item Suarez, Carlos
item XUAN, XUENAN - Obihiro University
item HE, LAN - Huazhong Agricultural University
item ZHAO, JUN-LONG - Huazhong Agricultural University

Submitted to: Trends in Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2025
Publication Date: 4/15/2025
Citation: Li, D., Wang, S., Suarez, C.E., Xuan, X., He, L., Zhao, J. 2025. Pushing the frontiers of babesiosis research: in vitro culture and gene editing. Trends in Parasitology. 41(4):317-329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2025.02.008.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2025.02.008

Interpretive Summary: Tick-borne parasitic diseases, particularly babesiosis, pose a significant threat to animal and human health. Understanding Babesia biology requires advanced laboratory techniques. This review highlights recent breakthroughs in gene editing technologies and the critical role of in vitro culture systems. We address historical challenges in establishing effective in vitro cultures and emphasize the need for optimization to boost gene editing efficiency. Additionally, we showcase recent advancements in Babesia transfection and various gene manipulation systems.

Technical Abstract: Babesiosis is a tick-borne parasitic disease that poses a significant risk to both animal and human health. A comprehensive understanding of Babesia biology necessitates the application of advanced laboratory techniques. This review explores recent advancements in gene editing technologies of Babesia, emphasizing the foundational importance of in vitro culture systems. We highlight the historical challenges encountered in establishing effective in vitro culture and discuss the need for optimizing these methods to enhance gene editing efficiency. Here, we describe recent progress in Babesia transfection, different gene manipulation systems, and the applications of gene editing. This review aims to provide essential insights and technical guidance for future studies in Babesia genetics, highlighting the transformative potential of gene manipulation in combating this important parasitic disease.