Editor: R. Docampo, Athens, GA, U.S.A.

It is estimated that more than half of the human population, plus a much greater number of domestic and wild animals suffer from parasitic infections. In addition to their relevance in human and animal health, parasites have become the object of extensive studies by cellular and molecular biologists. The present volume of Essays in Biochemistry provides an overview of recent advances in the biochemistry and molecular biology of the most relevant unicellular parasites. The most recent advances in the study of these human parasites (Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Trichomonas, Giardia and Entamoeba) will be discussed after a short introduction about the general progress in the field.