The African trypanosomes remain well recognised for their role as an interesting model eukaryote for basic science, but are loosing ground in their ability to contribute to understanding common cellular mechanisms. At the same time, the diseases they cause remain as prevalent as ever but appear increasingly irrelevant in their wider medical, social, economic and political context. What can be done to keep trypanosome biology relevant and vigorous in the 21st century? (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.