Biotechnological methods on the study of nematodes.

During the past several years, a great many advances have been made in obtaining a better understanding of the biology of nematode parasites. Much of the information obtained has been with the use of tools developed in the expanding field of biotechnology, or more specifically, the use of biochemistry, genetics or molecular biology. Advances are being made on speciation of parasites, their function and pathogenesis. Some nematode parasites indigenous to Southeast Asia have been studied, but much more should be done. There is a large group of parasites in Southeast Asia that could be studied. In the past, emphasis has been on human nematodes, but there are many interesting parasites of lower animals that should be investigated. Furthermore, future parasitologists must first be trained in basic parasitology and then be exposed to new technology in order to apply these tools to further our knowledge of round worms.