Dr Darren Brooks

Biography	My PhD (supervisor: Prof John Hyde) was focussed on folate metabolism in the human malaria parasite and specifically, the role of the gene/enzyme dihydropteroate synthase; a target of the sulfa-based drugs. I carried out post-doctoral research on cysteine peptidases in Leishmania parasites at the Wellcome Cemntre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow (PIs: Prof Jeremy Mottram and Prof Graham Coombs). This was followed by a further postdoctoral position at the University of Leeds studying metallopeptidases in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (PI: Prof Elwyn Isaac). On joining Salford my interests in using molecular techniques to explore questions related to parasitology/infectious disease has continued. In addition, I have held academic leadership positions in both postgraduate and undergraduate courses.
Research Interests	My research interests are a combination of my fascination for parasites; both of humans and animals, and my intrigue into the plethora of roles that peptidases have in cells/multicellular organisms. As an extension to this I also have interests in pseudopeptidases. In pursuing some of these interests, my lab works with the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
Teaching and Learning	I led a postgraduate (MSc) programme in Molecular Parasitology & Vector Biology that was delivered with colleagues at the University of Manchester and University of Keele. I also led undergraduate (BSc Hons) programmes in Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Science. These have now been developed to integrated Masters (MSci) level. Currently, I lead modules at Level 5 (Fundamentals of Biochemistry) and Level 6 (Current Topics in Biochemistry). I also make teaching and assessment contributions to other modules; for example, Introductory Biochemistry (Level 4), Genomics and Proteomics (Level 5), Biochemistry of Drugs and Diseases (Level 6). I also have responsibility for a long-standing international student exchange link with the University of Toledo, Ohio, USA.