Transgenic approaches in the pathogenic free-living amoebae: what are the hurdles?

Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, and Sappinia spp.are freeliving amoebae that can infect humans and cause serious disease; therefore, these organisms are commonly referred to as pathogenic free-living amoebae (pFLA).Diagnosis and treatment of pFLA infections have historically been very challenging.If a diagnosis is made, treatment regimens currently include a combination of antifungals, antimicrobials, and anticancer agents that have, to date, proven to be of little help in resolving the disease.Discovery of new therapies is critical to reduce the >90% mortality rate for the brain infections that these microbes can cause.Molecular tools that allow for the study of gene function, generation of reporter cell lines, and drug target validation would greatly improve drug discovery efforts.To date, transfection https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182026101772