Leishmania major

Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by a parasite member of the Leishmania genus and presents high morbidity and mortality levels. The annual incidence of approximately two million new cases and around 350 million people that are living in endemic areas reveals the importance of this neglected disease. Leishmaniasis, widespread parasitic disease caused by a heterogeneous group of protozoan parasite belonging to the genus Leishmania, spread by the bite of female sand fly of the genera: Phlebotomus(Old world) and Lutzomyia (New world).20 species of Leishmania was found to be pathogenic for humans [WHO].

Leishmaniasis

The genome sequences provide insights into the unique aspects of the biology of these parasites. The 32.8-megabase haploid genome of Leishmania major (Friedlin strain) is sequenced into 36 chromosomes and 911 RNA genes, 39 pseudogenes, and 8272 protein-coding genes are predicted, of which 36% can be ascribed a putative function.

There are no reports for the synthetic circuit construction for protozoan parasites so, this database serves to the first attempt made to use synthetic biology approach for the construction of genetic circuit for the protozoan parasite Leishmania.