To investigate the magnitude of the transcriptional changes occurring during the life cycle of Giardia lamblia we compared the transcriptome of trophozoites and cysts. Cysts were found to possess a much smaller transcriptome, both in terms of mRNA diversity and abundance. Genes encoding proteins related to ribosomal functions are highly over-represented. In cysts which have lost infectivity the transcriptome is further depleted. In contrast, exposure of cysts to conditions which promote excystation induced transcription. Overall design: Six cysts and three trophozoites life cycle stages were analyzed.