Maynooth University Department of Biology

My molecular and applied proteomics work, which has resulted in over 100 peer-reviewed publications, is directed towards understanding microbial pathogenicity and identifying new biotechnological, therapeutic and diagnostic targets. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=DJhTVdEAAAAJ&hl=en
I was also instrumental in securing competitive SFI funding for Departmental quantitative mass spectrometry facilities- now available to internal & external users. My group also has a number of academic and industrial collaborations and group members have been pro-active in the promotion of the public understanding of science through participation in such activities as the Maynooth University Chain Reaction Lecture Series and the National Science Week. Research work in the laboratory is funded by Science Foundation Ireland, The Irish Research Council (IRC), Enterprise Ireland and Industry (Alltech, Airmid, Sylvan and Accuplex Diagnostics).
Research area 1 Aspergillus fumigatus: We study the biology, diagnosis and molecular genetics of the human pathogenic fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus - a major cause of infection in immunocompromised individuals. Our group has identified a number of potential virulence factors (proteins) in the organism, which may contribute both to its pathogenicity and emerging resistance to conventional chemotherapies. We were the first to identify and characterise a novel self-protection mechanism against gliotoxin in Aspergillus fumigatus. We have also identified a number of non-ribosomal peptide synthetases and glutathione s-transferases in A. fumigatus. Interestingly, non-ribosomal peptide synthetases in fungi represent a novel source of bioactive metabolites and our published work is at the cutting-edge of this internationally competitive area. The primary research methods involved in this work comprise gene deletion studies, proteomics, NMR and LC-MS. Collaborators: Professor Gary Jones (Leeds-Beckett University, UK, Dr David Fitzpatrick, Professor Hubertus Haas (Innsbruck, Austria), Professor Gustavo Goldman (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Dr Siobhan McClean (UCD) & Dr Maire Callaghan (ITT Dublin).
Research area 2 Armillaria mellea: In the past, this plant pathogenic fungus has proven recalcitrant to detailed molecular analysis. However, we have undertaken genome sequencing of this organism and have established a robust proteomics pipeline to identify novel biocatalysts (enzymes) with biotechnological, pharmaceutical and biofuel applications. This work involves conventional individual protein mass spectrometry and shotgun proteomics. The primary research methods involved in this work comprise genome sequencing, bioinformatics, proteomics, HPLC and small molecule LC-MS. Collaborators: Dr David Fitzpatrick (NUI Maynooth), Dr Thomas Keane and Dr Dan Turner (UK).
Research area 3 Immunodiagnostics: Using a well-established recombinant protein expression systems (E. coli and baculovirus) we have expressed a number of A. fumigatus proteins in order to assess their diagnostic potential. In addition, we have developed novel immunoassays to detect fungal metabolites as disease indicators. Proteomic studies of a number of organisms, using Departmental protein mass spectrometry facilities, are also well underway and peer-reviewed publications are now emerging from these efforts. Research equipment infrastructure available for Industry-Academia Collaborations The Department of Biology possesses a range of modern molecular and proteomic instrumentation which is used for both PhD and Post-Doctoral Research projects. This equipment, much of which has been funded by competitive awards from the HEA, HRB, SFI and Enterprise Ireland, is also available for use by companies on a commercial basis. For further details see: