Scientists are studying the genome of a particular kind of parasitic worm to figure out what exactly makes it drug-resistant. Investigators sequenced the genome of Haemonchus contortus, or the barber pole worm, a parasite that resides in the guts of sheep and other livestock and is similar to some species of worms in humans. They identified 5 enzymes that are essential to its survival, two of which are already being studied as potential drug targets--one against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and one against another type of worm. The research could help further new treatment opportunities against parasitic worms in humans. Release