Now in our 13th year of bringing you beautiful imagery from biomedical science every day

Search the archive of over 4000 images

Fluky Find

Liver fluke protein identified that can be used to speed up diagnosis of infection

11 September 2018

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

Search The Archive

Submit An Image

Follow on Tumblr

Follow on Instagram

What is BPoD?

BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

Read More

BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.