Parasites

Parasites are organisms that live in, on, or among other organisms and rely on them for survival. They obtain nourishment and protection from their hosts, but in most cases cause damage and/or diseases, leading to significant and sometimes fatal outcomes. As parasites are able to live and reproduce in a wide variety of ecosystems, they can be very difficult to control and pose a great risk to human health. As a result, understanding their biology, ecology, and life cycle is essential in order to develop methods to reduce their presence and minimize the impact of their diseases.