Applications of biotechnological methods to studies of protozoan parasites

Biotechnology applies and extends the concepts and techniques of molecular biology. An overview of the applications and potential uses of the technology is presented for selected protozoan parasites. The areas reviewed include the characterization of protozoa, the production of their antigens, and the uses of hybridomas for studies of the antigens and host responses. In addition to the traditional methods of classification, parasitic protozoa are identified and characterized according to stable molecular markers. Peptidemes, zymodemes, antigens, schizodemes, and chromosomal complements define isolates and correlate with biological activities of the parasites. While antigens are typically extracted from parasites obtained from infected hosts or grown in vitro, they may be produced with in vitro translation systems, recombinant procedures with bacteria, or more recently developed techniques such as co-transformation and electroporation with eucaryotic cells. Monoclonal antibodies produced by B-cell hybridomas are used to identify parasites, antigens, epitopes, and the locations and functions of specific antigens. T-cell hybridomas may provide insights into cell-mediated immunity and interactions with the parasites.