Artemisinin and its derivatives are regarded as the most effective antimalaria drug available today. They are used as a standard treatment for malaria worldwide, but recent reports describe an alarming development in the parasite’s resistance to the drug
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The British Society for Parasitology hosted their autumn symposium in London in association with the Linnean society. This years fitting theme was “The multidisciplinarity of parasitology: host-parasite evolution and control in an ever changing world”. Tom Pennance, the BSP student represenative, reports on the day’s talks and social events.
Parasites are, by their nature, harmful to their hosts and considered unwanted guests. This must not always be the case though, as parasites have been observed to protect their hosts in some situations. Using modelling data an attempt is now being made to understand how and why parasites can be become protectors.
