Parasitism - A close relationship between two organisms in which one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the host organism.⏎
Nanometer - A unit of length equal to one one-billionth (1 x 10-9) of a meter.⏎
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) - Part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health, NIAID conducts and supports basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases.⏎
Plasmid - A ring of DNA usually found in bacteria that is separate from and can replicate independently from DNA in a chromosome and can provide bacteria with some advantages, such as antibiotic resistance.⏎
Pathogen - A biological agent that causes disease.⏎