Spinal Cord Injury repair through implantable polymer scaffolds, using a combined approach of MSC neurotrophic support and glial scar inhibition.
Researcher in
A strong international collaboration has been developed here that builds on respective expertise in polymer scaffold bioengineering, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and retroviral gene therapy technologies for spinal cord repair. Our approach investigates the growth of different spinal cord neuron populations, supported by selective neurotrophins. We have developed a retrovirus library for transduction of rat MSCs and Schwann cells, engineered to secrete neurotrophic factors. These cell types are seeded into poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) scaffolds and implanted into transected rat spinal cords. This approach is combined with a siRNA silencing strategies to reduce proteoglycan signals in the glial scar that are inhibitory to axonal growth.
2006-present
Postdoctoral Researcher
National University of Ireland Galway, REMEDI &
Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN USA
Spinal Cord Injury repair through implantable polymer scaffolds, using a combined approach of MSC neurotrophic support and glial scar inhibition.
2004-present
Physician
Department of Medicine, University College Hospital Galway
General Internal Medicine,
Neurology Registrar
2003 - 2005
Research Assistant
National University of Ireland Galway, REMEDI
Drug Inducible Retroviral Systems
2002-2003
Research Assistant
National University of Ireland, Galway - Medical Laboratory
Adeno-Associated Virus gene therapy for Lipid Oxidation in Atherosclerosis
1999-2004
Medical Student
National University of Ireland Galway
5/2004
MB BCH BAO with Honours
2003
HRB Summer Scholarship Grant, finalist for Watts Medal Competition (top 8 national projects).
Glial-Derived Neurotrophic Factor_Expressing Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Survive Transplantation Into the Contused Spinal Cord Without
Differentiating Into Neural Cells
Journal of Neurotrauma, under review.
