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Natural Sciences

Dr. Muriel Grenon

Ph.D.

 
researcher
 

Biography

Dr Muriel Grenon (F) is lecturer in Biochemistry and the founding director of the Cell EXPLORERS science outreach programme (www.cellexplorers.ie) in the school of Natural Sciences.
The programme provides science activities to the general public and includes equality and inclusiveness in its ethos.
After her PhD in molecular genetics in CNRS cancer Institute 01 in Paris, Muriel continued working in the field of cancer biology at Cancer research UK in London and at the Wellcome Trust Gurdon Institute in Cambridge. She joined the NUI Galway Biochemistry department in 2004 as a senior researcher. She started to lecture Biochemistry and Biotechnology in 2008.
Both her extensive research and teaching experiences have been essential to the creation and the success of the Cell EXPLORERS informal education programme linking research, third level education and primary schools.
Her areas of expertise are biology, Science outreach & education and public engagement in Science. Her research interests are informal science education, hands on learning and the use of educational science outreach as a university teaching tool.

Research Interests

Current: Educational Science Outreach, Informal science education, Public Engagement in Science, Science Outreach, Science Communication, Enquiry based learning

Cancer biology, genome stability in eukaryotic model systems, DNA damage checkpoints, roles of chromatin and histone modifications in the DNA damage response, DNA Repair, Signal transduction, activation of PI3K like kinases and CHK kinases, Rad9 and Rad9-like family of DNA damage mediators, BRCA1, 53BP1, yeast genetics in both S. cerevisiae and S. pombe and biochemistry, DT40 chicken model system, human cells.
 

Research Projects

  Project Start Date End Date
CELL EXPLORERS 01-JAN-19 31-DEC-20
CELL EXPLORERS - NATIONAL EXPANSION FOR A SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT MODEL 01-JAN-17 30-APR-22
Cell EXPLORERS - national expansion of a sustainable public engagement model 01-JAN-15 16-JAN-18
”Creation of a student‐led primary school outreach activity in Cellular Biology and Biotechnology” 01-FEB-12 30-NOV-12
“Conservation of the tumor suppressor ING2 functions in the eukaryotic DNA damage response” 01-JAN-12 31-AUG-12
Eukaryotic response to DNA damage 01-APR-08 31-MAR-13
“Study of histones H3 and H4 post-translational modifications in Rad9 recruitment to chromatin as an early step of DNA damage checkpoint activation” 01-OCT-05 30-SEP-08

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2019) 'ING3 is required for ATM signaling and DNA repair in response to DNA double strand breaks'
Mouche, A;Archambeau, J;Ricordel, C;Chaillot, L;Bigot, N;Guillaudeux, T;Grenon, M;Pedeux, R (2019) 'ING3 is required for ATM signaling and DNA repair in response to DNA double strand breaks'. Cell Death And Differentiation, 26 :2344-2357 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Researchers: share your passion for science!'
Concannon, C,Grenon, M (2016) 'Researchers: share your passion for science!'. Biochemical Society Transactions, 44 :1507-1515 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Site-Specific Phosphorylation of the DNA Damage Response Mediator Rad9 by Cyclin-Dependent Kinases Regulates Activation of Checkpoint Kinase 1'
Abreu, CM,Kumar, R,Hamilton, D,Dawdy, AW,Creavin, K,Eivers, S,Finn, K,Balsbaugh, JL,O'Connor, R,Kiely, PA,Shabanowitz, J,Hunt, DF,Grenon, M,Lowndes, NF (2013) 'Site-Specific Phosphorylation of the DNA Damage Response Mediator Rad9 by Cyclin-Dependent Kinases Regulates Activation of Checkpoint Kinase 1'. Plos Genetics, 9 (4) [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Regulation of the DNA damage response and gene expression by the Dot1L histone methyltransferase and the 53Bp1 tumour suppressor'
FitzGerald J, Moureau S, Drogaris P, O'Connell E, Abshiru N, Verreault A, Thibault P, Grenon M, Lowndes NF. (2011) 'Regulation of the DNA damage response and gene expression by the Dot1L histone methyltransferase and the 53Bp1 tumour suppressor'. Plos One, 6 (2) [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Eukaryotic DNA damage checkpoint activation in response to double-strand breaks'
Finn K, Lowndes NF, Grenon M (2011) 'Eukaryotic DNA damage checkpoint activation in response to double-strand breaks'. Life Sciences, [DOI] [Details]
(2010) 'Dynamics of Rad9 Chromatin Binding and Checkpoint Function Are Mediated by Its Dimerization and Are Cell Cycle-Regulated by CDK1 Activity'
Granata, M;Lazzaro, F;Novarina, D;Panigada, D;Puddu, F;Abreu, CM;Kumar, R;Grenon, M;Lowndes, NF;Plevani, P;Muzi-Falconi, M (2010) 'Dynamics of Rad9 Chromatin Binding and Checkpoint Function Are Mediated by Its Dimerization and Are Cell Cycle-Regulated by CDK1 Activity'. Plos Genetics, 6 [DOI] [Details]
(2010) 'MRN and the race to the break'
Rupnik A, Lowndes NF, Grenon M (2010) 'MRN and the race to the break'. Chromosoma, 119 (2):115-135 [DOI] [Details]
(2009) '53BP1: function and mechanisms of focal recruitment'
FitzGerald JE, Grenon M, Lowndes NF (2009) '53BP1: function and mechanisms of focal recruitment'. Biochemical Society Transactions, 37 (Pt 4):897-904 [DOI] [Details]
(2008) 'Transcriptional response of Candida parapsilosis following exposure to farnesol (vol 51, pg 2304, 2007)'
Rossignol, T;Logue, ME;Reynolds, K;Grenon, M;Lowndes, NF;Butler, G (2008) 'Transcriptional response of Candida parapsilosis following exposure to farnesol (vol 51, pg 2304, 2007)'. Antimicrobial Agents And Chemotherapy, 52 :2296-2296 [DOI] [Details]
(2008) 'Quick Guide: The MRN complex'
Rupnik A, Grenon M, Lowndes NF (2008) 'Quick Guide: The MRN complex'. Curr Biol, 18 (11):455-457 [Details]
(2008) 'The MRN complex'
Rupnik A, Grenon M, Lowndes N (2008) 'The MRN complex'. Current Biology, 18 (11):1-7 [DOI] [Details]
(2003) 'The budding yeast Rad9 checkpoint complex: chaperone proteins are required for its function'
Gilbert, CS;van den Bosch, M;Green, CM;Vialard, JE;Grenon, M;Erdjument-Bromage, H;Tempst, P;Lowndes, NF (2003) 'The budding yeast Rad9 checkpoint complex: chaperone proteins are required for its function'. Embo Reports, 4 :953-958 [DOI] [Details]
(2007) 'Transcriptional response of Candida parapsilosis following exposure to farnesol'
Rossignol, T,Logue, ME,Reynolds, K,Grenon, M,Lowndes, NF,Butler, G (2007) 'Transcriptional response of Candida parapsilosis following exposure to farnesol'. Antimicrobial Agents And Chemotherapy, 51 :2304-2312 [DOI] [Details]
(2007) 'Docking onto chromatin via the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad9 Tudor domain'
Grenon, M,Costelloe, T,Jimeno, S,O'Shaughnessy, A,FitzGerald, J,Zgheib, O,Degerth, L,Lowndes, NF (2007) 'Docking onto chromatin via the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad9 Tudor domain'. Yeast, 24 :105-119 [DOI] [Details]
(2006) 'Histone H2A phosphorylation and H3 methylation are required for a novel Rad9 DSB repair function following checkpoint activation'
G. Toh, A. O’Shaughnessy, S. Jimeno, I. Dobbie, M. Grenon, S. Maffini S, A. O' Rorke and NF. Lowndes (2006) 'Histone H2A phosphorylation and H3 methylation are required for a novel Rad9 DSB repair function following checkpoint activation'. Dna Repair Amst, 5 [Details]
(2006) 'Double-strand breaks trigger MRX- and Mec1-dependent, but Tel1-independent, checkpoint activation'
Grenon, M,Magill, CP,Lowndes, NF,Jackson, SP (2006) 'Double-strand breaks trigger MRX- and Mec1-dependent, but Tel1-independent, checkpoint activation'. Fems Yeast Research, 6 :836-847 [DOI] [Details]
(2006) 'Multiple approaches to study S. cerevisiae Rad9, a prototypical checkpoint protein'
O'Shaughnessy AM, Grenon M, Gilbert C, Toh GW, Green CM, Lowndes NF (2006) 'Multiple approaches to study S. cerevisiae Rad9, a prototypical checkpoint protein'. Methods Enzymol, 409 :131-150 [DOI] [Details]
(2003) 'The budding yeast Rad9 checkpoint complex: chaperone proteins are required for its function'
• C. Gilbert, M. van den Bosch, C. Green, J.Vialard, M. Grenon, H. Erdjument-Bromage, P. Tempst and N. Lowndes (2003) 'The budding yeast Rad9 checkpoint complex: chaperone proteins are required for its function'. Embo Reports, 4 [Details]
(2002) 'Fission yeast chk1 mutants show distinct responses to different types of DNA damaging treatments'
Francesconi S, Smeets M, Grenon M, Tillit J, Blaisonneau J, Baldacci G (2002) 'Fission yeast chk1 mutants show distinct responses to different types of DNA damaging treatments'. Gene, 7 (7):663-673 [Details]
(2001) 'Checkpoint activation in response to double-strand breaks requires the Mre11/Rad50/Xrs2 complex'
Grenon, M,Gilbert, C,Lowndes, NF (2001) 'Checkpoint activation in response to double-strand breaks requires the Mre11/Rad50/Xrs2 complex'. Nature Cell Biology, 3 :844-847 [Details]
(2001) 'Topoisomerase III acts upstream of Rad53p in the S-phase DNA damage checkpoint'
Chakraverty RK, Kearsey JM, Oakley TJ, Grenon M, de La Torre Ruiz MA, Lowndes NF, Hickson ID (2001) 'Topoisomerase III acts upstream of Rad53p in the S-phase DNA damage checkpoint'. Molecular And Cellular Biology, 21 (21):7150-7162 [DOI] [Details]
(1999) 'The S/M checkpoint at 37 degrees C and the recovery of viability of the mutant poldeltats3 require the crb2+/rhp9+ gene in fission yeast'
Grenon M, Tillit J, Piard K, Baldacci G, Francesconi S (1999) 'The S/M checkpoint at 37 degrees C and the recovery of viability of the mutant poldeltats3 require the crb2+/rhp9+ gene in fission yeast'. Molecular & General Genetics, 260 (6):522-534 [Details]
(1997) 'PCNA and DNA polymerase delta catalytic subunit from Schizosaccharomyces pombe do not interact directly'
Tratner I, Piard K, Grenon M, Perderiset M, Baldacci G (1997) 'PCNA and DNA polymerase delta catalytic subunit from Schizosaccharomyces pombe do not interact directly'. Biochem, 231 (2):321-328 [DOI] [Details]
(1997) 'p56(chk1) protein kinase is required for the DNA replication checkpoint at 37 degrees C in fission yeast'
Francesconi S, Grenon M, Bouvier D, Baldacci G (1997) 'p56(chk1) protein kinase is required for the DNA replication checkpoint at 37 degrees C in fission yeast'. Embo Journal, 16 (6):1332-1341 [DOI] [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2018) Investigating the effect of scientist demonstrators on primary children’s science self-efficacy
Carroll, S., McCauley, V. & Grenon, M. (2018) Investigating the effect of scientist demonstrators on primary children’s science self-efficacy Investigating the effect of scientist demonstrators on primary children’s science self-efficacy [Details]
(2016) 7th International Conference on Software Development and Technologies for Enhancing Accessibility and Fighting Info-exclusion
• P. Charlton, A. Preston, C. Karagiannidis, C. Kouroupetroglou, M. Grenon, S. Handschuh, A. Koumpis (2016) Use of the Curiosity Cabinet metaphor to support inclusive learning 7th International Conference on Software Development and Technologies for Enhancing Accessibility and Fighting Info-exclusion [DOI] [Details]
(2009) 53BP1: function and mechanisms of focal recruitment
FitzGerald, JE,Grenon, M,Lowndes, NF (2009) BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS 53BP1: function and mechanisms of focal recruitment , pp.897-904 [DOI] [Details]
(2009) BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS
FitzGerald, JE;Grenon, M;Lowndes, NF (2009) 53BP1: function and mechanisms of focal recruitment BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS , pp.897-904 [DOI] [Details]

Abstract

  Year Publication
(2015) The tumor suppressive protein ING3, a new player in the maintenance of genome stability.
Mouche, A,Guerillon, C,Bigot, N,Le Guevel, R,Guillaudeux, T,Grenon, M,Pedeux, R (2015) The tumor suppressive protein ING3, a new player in the maintenance of genome stability. Abstract [Details]

Conference Paper

  Year Publication
(2019) ‘A Scientist knows what s/he’s doing’: Exploring the effect of Scientist-Led Outreach on Primary Children’s Science Self-Efficacy Beliefs.
Carroll, S., McCauley, V. and Grenon, M. (2019) ‘A Scientist knows what s/he’s doing’: Exploring the effect of Scientist-Led Outreach on Primary Children’s Science Self-Efficacy Beliefs. Conference Paper [Details]
(2018) Investigating the effect of scientist demonstators on primary children’s science self-efficacy. The International Conference ‘New Perspectives in Science Education’. Florence on 22-23 March 2018.
Carroll, S., McCauley, V. & Grenon, M. (2018) Investigating the effect of scientist demonstators on primary children’s science self-efficacy. The International Conference ‘New Perspectives in Science Education’. Florence on 22-23 March 2018. Conference Paper [Details]

Conference Poster

  Year Publication
(2018) Measuring primary children’s confidence in science’. Poster. Scientix Conference, Brussels, Belgium, 22-23 March 2018.
Carroll, S., McCauley, V. and Grenon, M. (2018) Measuring primary children’s confidence in science’. Poster. Scientix Conference, Brussels, Belgium, 22-23 March 2018. Conference Poster [Details]
(2019) Validation of a ‘Sources of Science Self-Efficacy’ Scale adapted for Primary Children for the Informal Science Context. Poster. Conference of the European Science Education Research Association (ESERA), Bologna, Italy, 26-30 August 2019.
Carroll, S., McCauley, V. and Grenon, M. (2019) Validation of a ‘Sources of Science Self-Efficacy’ Scale adapted for Primary Children for the Informal Science Context. Poster. Conference of the European Science Education Research Association (ESERA), Bologna, Italy, 26-30 August 2019. Conference Poster [Details]

Correction

  Year Publication
(2008) Transcriptional response of Candida parapsilosis following exposure to farnesol (vol 51, pg 2304, 2007).
Rossignol, T,Logue, ME,Reynolds, K,Grenon, M,Lowndes, NF,Butler, G (2008) Transcriptional response of Candida parapsilosis following exposure to farnesol (vol 51, pg 2304, 2007). Correction [DOI] [Details]

Editorial

  Year Publication
(2008) The MRN complex.
Rupnik, A;Grenon, M;Lowndes, N (2008) The MRN complex. CAMBRIDGE: Editorial [Details]

Reviews

  Year Publication
(2010) MRN and the race to the break.
Rupnik, A;Lowndes, NF;Grenon, M (2010) MRN and the race to the break. NEW YORK: Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2012) Eukaryotic DNA damage checkpoint activation in response to double-strand breaks.
Finn, K;Lowndes, NF;Grenon, M (2012) Eukaryotic DNA damage checkpoint activation in response to double-strand breaks. BASEL: Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2016) Researchers: share your passion for science!.
Concannon, C;Grenon, M (2016) Researchers: share your passion for science!. LONDON: Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2012) Eukaryotic DNA damage checkpoint activation in response to double-strand breaks.
Finn, K,Lowndes, NF,Grenon, M (2012) Eukaryotic DNA damage checkpoint activation in response to double-strand breaks. Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2010) MRN and the race to the break.
Rupnik, A,Lowndes, NF,Grenon, M (2010) MRN and the race to the break. Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2009) 53BP1: Function and Mechanisms of Focal Recruitment. Biochemistry Society Transactions.
FitzGerald J, Grenon M, Lowndes NF (2009) 53BP1: Function and Mechanisms of Focal Recruitment. Biochemistry Society Transactions. Reviews [Details]
(2006) Multiple approaches to study S-cerevisiae Rad9, a prototypical checkpoint protein.
O'Shaughnessy, AM,Grenon, M,Gilbert, C,Toh, GWL,Green, CM,Lowndes, NF (2006) Multiple approaches to study S-cerevisiae Rad9, a prototypical checkpoint protein. Reviews [DOI] [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2019 Outstanding contribution to Science communication Science Foundation Ireland
2019 Chevalier de l'ordre des palmes académiques (Knight of the order of Academic Palms) French Minister of National Education
2017 NUI Galway President Award for Societal Impact NUIGalway President
2013 Outstanding Contribution to STEM Galway Science and Technology Festival

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
College of Science STEM Promotion Committee member 01-SEP-14 /
Galway Science and Technology Forum Committee member 01-SEP-14 /
University Societies Coordinating Group Staff representative 01-SEP-14 / 31-AUG-17
College of Science STEM Promotion Chair 01-FEB-17 / 01-JUN-17

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
2012 NUI Galway Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning Teaching and learning in Higher education
2009 Paris Sud XI Habilitation à diriger des recherches Habilitation à diriger des recherches - Molecular Genetics
1998 Paris Sud XI PhD Cellular and Molecular Genetics

Outreach Activities

  Description

SFI Discovering Science and Engineering 2013: The Cell EXPLORERS roadshow

Wellcome Trust people award Summer 2013. Cell EXPLORERS, a pilot programme toward sustainable public engagement within universities

NUIG EXPLORE programme  2013: ReelLife Science, in collaboration with Dr Enda O'Connell

Biochemical Society 2012 - The Cell EXPLORERS show

Royal Dublin Society 2012 lecture Bursary - Fantastic DNA!

NUIG EXPLORE programme  2012: The Cell EXPLORERS show

NUIG EXPLORE programme  2012: Creation of a student-led primary school outreach activity in cellular Biology and Biotechnology

Community Engagement

  Title Type From / To
Outreach NUIG EXPLORE programme  2012: Creation of a student-led primary school outreach /

Recent Postgraduate Students

  Graduation Name Degree Primary Supervisor
2013 Mary Walsh PhD N
2012 Carla Abreu PhD N
2011 Ramesh Kumar PhD N
2010 Karen Finn PhD N
2014 Karim Mrouj Msc

Current Postgraduate Students (Research)

  Student Degree Type Type
Sarah Carroll Doctorate - Structured PhD (Science) Supervisor

Modules Taught

  Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
2013-2015 Biochemistry for 1st year preclinical students

Internal Collaborators

  Name Description of Collaboration
Internal Collaborators
Andrew Flaus, Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Natural Sciences, NUI Galway Veronica McCauley, School of Education Andrea Higgins, School of Education Enda O'Connell, College of Science

External Collaborators

  Name Organisation / Institute Country Description of Collaboration
External Collaborators
Remy Pedeux, School of Medicine, Rennes University, France Audrey O'Grady, University of Limerick