Omics Approaches in Veterinary Parasitology: Diagnosis, Biomarkers, and Drug Development

Omics Approaches in Veterinary Parasitology: Diagnosis, Biomarkers, and Drug Development explores applications of omics approaches for diagnosis, biomarker discovery, and drug development against parasites of veterinary importance. It presents the fundamental principles of parasite biology and their complex physiological processes. The chapters review key aspects such as parasite life cycles, host-parasite interactions, and the molecular mechanisms that underlie parasitic diseases. The subsequent chapters delve into the principles and applications of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics in understanding parasites at a molecular level. The use of next-generation sequencing, PCR-based assays, and metagenomics in identifying and characterizing parasites for accurate and efficient diagnosis are also covered in detail. Toward the end, the book focuses on target identification, drug repurposing, and the optimization of drug efficacy while minimizing drug resistance using omics data. The book is useful for researchers, students, and professionals in the field of veterinary parasitology.

Muhammad Sohail Sajid got his early education from the Kamalia and Khanewal and Higher Secondary education from Govt. Emerson College, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan. He secured silver medal in his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF), Pakistan in 2002. Since then, he started his professional career as Lecturer in the Department of Parasitology, UAF while continuing in M.Sc. (Hons.) and Ph.D. in Parasitology. He served as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Chairman, and Member, Climate Change Chair of the US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security established through the USAID in the UAF, Pakistan and finally as Professor tenured. His thematic research area is molecular epidemiology and control of arthropods and arthropod-borne diseases of one health significance. His competitive successes include: Ph.D. fellowship sponsored by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad, Pakistan, HEC-funded post-doc. fellowship from the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), Hattiesburg, MS, USA, USAID-funded project through the HEC Pak-US S&T Cooperation Program (Phase IV), and the Fulbright Post-Doc. fellowship at the UC Davis, USA. So far, he has secured 10 grants as PI/ Co-PI and mentored >50 M.Phil. and 12 Ph.D. graduate students as Chairman/co-supervisor/ member. The Ministry of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan has awarded him competitive Research Productivity Awards consecutively for the 6 years (2010 to 2015). So far, he has published 90 research papers in ISI indexed journals having IF of 100, presented at various national and international conferences, one textbook, two chapters in an international book & 150 abstracts in proceedings. He is serving as ＂Section Editor＂ of the UAF’s Official Journal ＂PJAS＂ (IF-0.785) from more than a decade and has edited a book published by the CABI, Oxfordshire, UK. He is the co-author of the first guidelines of the ＂Institutional Animal Care and Use＂ at the UAF. His hard work and commitment enabled him to achieve the top ranked academic position of the Tenured Professor of Parasitology in the Department of Parasitology, UAF, Pakistan.

Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan is an accomplished researcher and academician in the field of Parasitology. He has made significant contributions to the understanding and management of parasitic diseases through his research and publications. Dr. Rizwan’s expertise lies in the areas of molecular parasitology, host-parasite interactions, omics-based approaches for diagnosing and managing parasitic diseases, and parasitic control strategies. Dr. Rizwan is currently affiliated with the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Narowal Campus, Pakistan, where he serves as an Assistant Professor of Parasitology in the Department of Pathobiology. He is actively involved in teaching and mentoring students, sharing his knowledge and passion for the subject. With a strong academic background, Dr. Rizwan holds a Ph.D. in Parasitology. He has published numerous research articles in reputable journals, contributing to the scientific literature on parasitic infections. Dr. Rizwan’s dedication and commitment to his field have earned him recognition and respect from his peers. He continues to make valuable contributions to the field of parasitology through his research, teaching, and academic endeavors.