The Beeb is reporting on an article in the current edition of the journal Nature, reporting a draft genomic sequence for the Schistosoma flatworms (the nasty little buggers responsible for schistosomiasis, which kills hundreds of thousands of people each year. The Nature paper is fascinating; sequencing the gene has allowed the researchers to identify a great deal about the critter’s physiology and behavior, and has led to many promising avenues toward combatting the parasite in humans and other mammals.

Readily, steadily,
Diligent scientists
Studying parasites,
Sequencing genes,

Target the worm that brings
Schistosomiasis,
Finding new treatments, and
Maybe vaccines!

Killingly, chillingly,
Deadly S. mansoni
Lives in your liver, your
Bloodstream, your guts;

Suddenly, somehow my
Scoleciphobia
No longer seems like I’m
Totally nuts.

Crawlingly, gallingly,
Snail-hosted parasites
Work their way into their
Humans as well;

Now, these advances in
Parasitology
May save their hosts from a
Miserable hell.