Omics Tools Applied to the Study of Chagas Disease Vectors: Cytogenomics and Genomics

Abstract

Chagas disease is an illness caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi that is distributed in 21 countries of Latin America. The main way of transmission of T. cruzi is through the feces of triatomines (Hemiptera and Triatominae) infected with the parasite. With technological advances came new technologies called omics. In the pre-genomic era, the omics science was based on cytogenomic studies of triatomines. With the Rhodnius prolixus genome sequencing project, new omics tools were applied to understand the organism at a systemic level and not just from a genomic point of view. Thus, the present review aims to put together the cytogenomic and genomic information available in the literature for Chagas disease vectors. Here, we review all studies related to cytogenomics and genomics of Chagas disease vectors, contributing to the direction of further research with these insect vectors, because it was evident that most studies focus on cytogenomic knowledge of the species. Given the importance of genomic studies, which contributed to the knowledge of taxonomy, systematics, as well as the vector’s biology, the need to apply these techniques in other genera and species of Triatominae subfamily is emphasized.

Transcriptomics Applied to the Study of Chagas Disease Vectors

“…7 However, before knowledge of the genome, omic studies had already been applied to triatomines, contributing the knowledge of taxonomy, systematics, as well as vector biology. 8 Transcriptomic studies, in general, provided a new view of the physiology of triatomines (aiding in the knowledge of reproductive aspects, 9,10 of the hematophagy process, 11,12 and even the immune system 13 and the sensory apparatus 14 ), and also contributed to the taxonomy and systematics of these insects. 15,16 Thus, we conducted a review of the transcriptomic studies on Chagas disease vectors.…”