Shutting down genes to illuminate the interaction between the macrophage and leishmania

The diseases caused by the parasite belonging to the genus leishmanial represent a public heath challenge both at national and international levels. Current knowledge about macrophage-parasite interaction still remains insufficient in order to be translated into more effective patient treatments. The present manuscript aspires to be a communication to non-specialists and the general public, aiming to explain the importance of this type of basic science as well as the strategy followed by our research group, in the pursuit of solutions to the burden represented by leishmaniasis.