Developments in the differentiation of Trypanosoma brucei.

During the course of their life cycle, African trypanosomes encounter many differing environments and respond to these by dramatic changes in cell shape, metabolism and patterns of gene expression. Many of these life cycle transitions can now be carried out in vitro, allowing their underlying controls to be studied. Here, Keith Matthews presents an overview of recent advances in the understanding of the regulation of these complex differentiation events.