Harvard Medical School

Post-Doc, Pediatrics

Other Affiliations: Dublin City University, School of Biotechnology
Dublin City University, School of Nursing

About

Summary of research background:

Parasitical worms have evolved elaborate physical, biochemical, and molecular adaptations to promote their survival. Helminth parasites and molecules derived from them generally drive Th2/Treg immune responses in mammalian hosts. They also have powerful anti-inflammatory properties which have been shown to have therapeutic effects on inflammatory diseases. I have previously performed research focusing on enhancing our understanding of the biology and biochemistry interplay between parasitic helminths and their hosts. In particular, I have been interested in the identification and of helminth-derived molecules which can stimulate cells of the innate immune system (dendritic cells, macrophages, mast cells etc) and the receptors (Toll-like receptors, C-type lectins etc) to which they bind, in order to identify ligand-receptor binding which promotes the ultimate development of Th1, Th17, Treg or Th2-type acquired immune responses. Furthermore, I have had a particular interest in identifying molecules of helminth origin with the ability to induce a state anergy amongst both the antigen presenting cell populations and the antigen-specific lymphocytes. This research has lead to the identification of a number of novel TLR ligands of helminth origin, each possessing a unique mechanism of immune modulation, with the ability to suppress inflammatory responses. My second line of research examined the signal transduction pathways that allow translation of the above mentioned helminth-derived signals recognized by pattern recognition receptors for the induction of antigen presentation cell phenotypes and the subsequent activation of naive lymphocytes and their differentiation into effector cells.

Summary of research interests:

1) Firstly, I have an interest in host-pathogen interactions and the molecular mechanisms of innate immune recognition. Specifically:

• The initiation, control and differentiation of the adaptive immune responses by innate immune recognition. More specifically, indentifying and linking phenotypical changes in dendritic cells (co-stimulatory molecules, cytokines and chemokines) with their function and maturation processes.
• The modulation of signal transduction pathways induced upon innate immune recognition. Together with receptors involved in innate immunity, such as Toll-like receptors and C-Type lectin receptors, and also signals activated by these receptors, including NF-kappaB, IRF family transcription factors and MAP kinases.
• The identification and biochemical analysis of novel pathogens ligands and host receptors involved in innate immune recognition.

2) Lastly, due to my background in helminth-host interactions I have a growing interest in the design of novel therapeutics to target pathologies associated with autoimmune, allergic and atopic diseases. This involves the use of novel therapeutic strategies to alter signalling pathways for the inhibition or inflammatory responses.