Fluky Find

Clonorchis sinensis is a leaf-shaped liver fluke – a hermaphrodite flatworm that feasts on a host’s blood. Common in China and other areas of Asia, infection brings a risk of Clonorchiasis, a potentially deadly disease that is hard to diagnose. Yet the fluke may have a big clue buried in its DNA – the genetic code for a protein called rCs1, which has a unique repetitive structure. Antibodies designed to recognise the tell-tale protein during blood analysis, or serology, will help speed up the fight against infections. Meanwhile, on this zoomed in section of C. sinesis (stained red), rCs1 (green) collects around the edge and inner 'lips' of its acetabulum, a sucker this fluky fiend uses to attach inside its prey – a place researchers are already searching for further signs of weakness.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

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• Image from work by Na Cheng and Xue-Nian Xu, and colleagues
• National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
• Image originally published under a Creative Commons Licence (BY 4.0)
• Published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, August 2018