Elwyn Isaac

Prof Elwyn Isaac

BSc, PhD, Wales.
Professor of Comparative Biochemistry
Institute of Integrative and Comparative Biology

Background: Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Biochemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK, 1977-1983. Visiting Scientist in the Department of Entomolgy, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA, 1991 and at the Department d'Etudes et d'Ingéniérie des Protéins, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, CE-Saclay, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France, 1998-1999. Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, UK, 2000-2003.

Office: Miall 8.15
Phone: +44(0) 113 34 32903/32904
Email: email address for Prof Elwyn Isaac 

Centre membership: Neuroscience Research at Leeds (NeuR@L)

Lab: A member of the Isaac group

You can read more about Prof Isaac's interests here:
bgypc059.leeds.ac.uk/~elwyn/

Publications

List Prof Isaac's Publications


Disrupting the expression of a C. elegans peptidase gene results in failure to replace old cuticle with new during a larval moult.

Research Interests

Comparative biochemistry and functional genomics of neuropeptides and peptidases

Our research exploits the amenable genetics and the sequenced genomes of the nematode, C. elegans, and the fly, D. melanogaster, to understand biochemical mechanisms of behaviour, development and reproduction.? We are particularly interested in the role of neuropeptides and peptidases in controlling the behaviour and sex-life of insects and in understanding the various physiological roles of members of large metallopeptidase and nucleoside transporter gene families in nematodes. We are also interested in the development of novel strategies to control parasitic nematodes and insect pests by identifying target proteins for inhibitors and vaccines. For more information, please visit our website:

 

Current Projects

  • Functional Analysis Of Two Preproneuropeptide Genes From The Drosophila Genome
    funded by the BBSRC; joint with Alan Shirras of the University of Lancaster.
  • Proteins of the male accessory glands of Drosophila melanogaster with roles in fertility
    supported by BBSRC studentships and joint with Rob Weaver, Central Science Laboratories, York.
  • Functional Analysis of an Emerging Family of Zinc-Metallopeptidase Genes In The Drosophila Genome
    funded by the BBSRC (GAIN); joint with Alan Shirras of the University of Lancaster and Tony Turner, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds.
  • MRC Co-Operative Group: Membrane Transport Proteins As Targets For Disease Control
    funded by the MRC; led by Steve Baldwin, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds.
  • MRC Co-Operative Group: Zinc Metalloproteases In Disease And Health
    supported by the MRC; Co-Operative Status Only.
  • Processing and Inactivation of Nematode Neuropeptides by Aminopeptidases: a Functional Genomics Approach
    funded by the BBSRC; joint with Nigel Hooper, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds.
  • Immunological Control of Psoroptes ovis Infections in Sheep
    funded by DEFRA.
  • High-resolution structure of invertebrate zinc metallopeptidases
    supported by BBSRC studentships; joint with Simon Phillips, Tony Turner and Mark Parsons, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds.
 

Studentship information

Principal interests:

  • Comparative biochemistry and functional genomics of neuropeptides and peptidases

Postgraduate studentship areas:

  • Structure and function of peptide hormones in Drosophila

See also: