RNA interference technology and its application in schistosome research

To date, the schistosomiasis remains to be an important public health problem in many regions and countries, and it is primary focus to determine an effective way to control this disease. Because of its high efficiency, specificity, and speed to block a particular gene expression, the RNA interference technology has become a potential powerful tool for the research of gene function, gene prevention and treatment as well as drug targets. This article introduces the applications of RNA interference in schistosome research in the past decades, including studies of gene functions during different periods of schistosome life cycles and through different RNAi methods, the evaluation on the effect of anti-infection and nosotropic treatment. This is essential in order to fully understand some special genes which are important to growth and development for schistosome and to determine a new platform for anti-schistosomiasis.