Trypanosoma Brucei

Trypanosoma brucei is a parasitic single-celled organism that causes sleeping sickness in humans and a fatal wasting disease in cattle. It is a crucial model organism for researchers to better understand human disease and drug development. In addition, its genetic sequence has been fully mapped out and is used in molecular genetics and evolutionary studies. By studying what makes this parasite so successful at infecting humans, scientists hope to develop treatments, cures, and vaccines for many other diseases and parasites.