Diana E. Haddad

Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences

Delaware State University
Mishoe Science Center North, Room 205
1200 N. Dupont Highway
Dover, DE 19901

Phone: (302) 857-7754
Fax: (302) 857-6512
Email: dhaddad@desu.edu

Education:
Ph.D. Biotechnology, The Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, 1998
M.S., Immunology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden, 1995
B.Sc., Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica, 1987

Research Interests:
My research is devoted to the development of a vaccine against malaria. The Malaria genome project reached its goal of completing the sequencing of the genome of Plasmodium falciparum, the species responsible for nearly all malaria deaths in humans. In addition to the parasite’s genome, extensive data from its proteome and transcriptome has been made available to the research community. My lab will conduct a large-scale screening of the P. falciparum genome, proteome and transciptome for the identification of genes that may be encoding potential malaria vaccine candidates. We will focus on the characterization of selected genes and proteins in terms of gene expression, subcellular localization and antigenicity. Identification of novel targets for further study as malaria vaccine and/or drug candidates is anticipated from our research.

This line of research will involve the use of novel technologies such as DNA microarrays, mass spectrometry, high-throughput cloning, as well as bioinformatics, to name a few. Thus, it offers opportunities to train and mentor graduate and undergraduate students in the fields of proteomics and genomics as well as in diverse high-throughput technologies used in biomedical research. It also represents an excellent source of projects for students, as in the initial stage many proteins will be cloned, their characterization can then serve for years to come as individual projects for students.