Parasite proteases perform a number of crucial roles in the host/parasite relationship, being important in nutrition, immune manipulation, host invasion and parasite transformation. These proteases therefore represent important potential targets for parasite control. At CAB we have been studying proteases from a number of different arthropod species and investigating their role in egg hatch. Our results suggest that these molecules represent novel targets for control of important pests including headlice. Research is continuing into the applicability of this approach to controlling a range of pests of importance in either the human, agricultural or veterinary sectors
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