Cellular responses
Elucidate the mechanisms that mediate cellular responses to altered environments
To fully understand the biological impact that genetic mutations, changing environments and other stresses have on living organisms, we investigate the cellular mechanisms that respond to such challenges. Researchers in this theme are involved in the identification of key components, metabolites and other compounds that influence the cellular response.
Antoinette Perry: Deciphering epigenetic regulation of enhancers in aggressive prostate cancer. (Irish Cancer Society) 2016-2020
Antoinette Perry: Investigation into chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties of seaweed against prostate cancer. (Libyan Embassy) 2017-2020
Antoinette Perry: PROVE: PRostate and OVarian Epigenetics – investigating therapeutic resistance via cfDNA. (Irish Cancer Society and UCD School of Medicine) 2018-2021
Antoinette Perry: Investigating chemopreventive & chemotherapeutic applications of cannabinoid compounds. (Irish Research Council and Greenlight Pharmaceuticals) 2018-2021
Jeremy Simpson: Elucidating the mechanisms and pathways of extracellular vesicle uptake and intercellular stress response. This project is utilising a screening strategy to examine the mechanisms by which extracellular vesicles, acting as intercellular messengers, enter and traffic though the endomembrane of recipient cells. The project is in collaboration with Dave Carter at Oxford-Brookes University, UK. (SFI-BBSRC) 2017-2020
Jeremy Simpson: Towards a molecular understanding of the role of Rab33B in hereditary skeletal dysplasia. The small GTPase Rab33B plays a central role in the organisation of the endomembrane system in mammalian cells. Recently a number of point mutations in the gene have been reported, which in the human give rise to skeletal abnormalities. This project seeks to make a molecular link between Rab33B function and how tissues are organised at the organism scale. (IRC) 2019-2023
Gavin Stewart: Urea transporters in the mammalian brain. Facilitative urea transporters, such as UT-B, play an important role in the handling of urea in the brain. This project is investigating the changes in brain UT-B urea transporters that occur during the ageing process. 2018-2021
Monica de Gaetano: Synthetic Lipoxin-A4 mimetics: novel therapeutic approaches to target residual inflammatory risk in Atherosclerosis-Associated Diabetes Complications: The aim of this study is to efficiently tackle inflammation in diabetic atherosclerosis, through identification of novel biomarkers, by utilising our patented prototype therapeutics, for a better treatment and prevention of such complex disease. Two main strategies will be adopted: a combined therapy of pro-resolving molecules with conventional lipid- and glucose-lowering drugs; as well as a stem cell-based approach. This programme will identify novel therapeutic perspectives in diabetes-associated atherosclerosis (SFI Pathway) 2022-2026