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Sean Hynes

Professor of Pathology

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Seán Hynes: Virtual Biomarker Lab, University of Galway

seanhynes@universityofgalway.ie

Professor in Pathology, University of Galway

Consultant Histopathologist, University Hospital Galway

Chair Saolta Precision Medicine Group

Chair School of Medicine Health & Safety Committee

Director & Secretary Irish Society of Surgical Pathology

Non-Executive Director, Biobank Ireland Trust

NCCP Molecular Diagnostics Advisory Group

National Irish Covid-19 Biobank Research Ethics Committee

Clinical Sciences Institute, G013, School of Medicine, Costello Road, University of Galway

Research Interests:

My research interests concern the use of digital pathology, and in particular image analysis and algorithm development, to answer clinically important questions around cancer and chronic disease. In particular my focus is around colorectal cancer, breast cancer, cancer of unknown primary, lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. Multiplex immunohistochemistry, next generation sequencing and digital pathology represent the cutting edge in the specialty of pathology. Leveraging of these techniques with ethically sound and accurately curated biobank samples allow us as pathologists to diagnose accurately, prognosticate more reliably and predict the response of disease and in particular cancer to various therapies including immunotherapy. This process allows true precision medicine to be undertaken for a particular patient.

My research looks at the ability of image analysis and the morphological and phenotypic changes it identifies to predict genotypic changes which correlate with aggressiveness and response to therapy. Our search is for virtual or digital biomarkers to improve diagnostics, prognostication and prediction of response to therapy. My work has many collaborative efforts with other groups to provide synergy in terms of research outputs, providing a clinical diagnostic expertise in this area.

Overall aim:

The overall aim of my research is to identify clinically important virtual biomarkers in both cancer and cardiovascular disease. I am specifically interested in the surrounding stromal changes which are involved in the progression of metastatic cancers and generalised healing.