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Natural Sciences

Dr Una Fitzgerald

B.Eng, M.Sc, Ph.D

Contact Details

Lecturer Above The Bar
SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES
NUI GALWAY

T: Ext. 4440
E: una.fitzgerald@nuigalway.ie
 
researcher

Biography

BE (Industrial), NUIG 1983; MSc (Biotechnology) NUIG 1985; PhD (Immunology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow) 1993. Sanofi Elf Bioresearch 1986-1987; Celltech Ltd (now Lonza) 1987-1990; PhD 1990-1993; Postdoc Beatson Inst. for Cancer Research, Glasgow 1993-1997; Postdoc Dept Neurology and Medical Oncology University of Glasgow 1997-2002; Senior Researcher Cell Stress and Apoptosis Research Group, NCBES, NUIG 2002-2005; Lecturer (fixed term) Biomedical and Engineering Science NUIG.

Research Interests

The molecular mechanisms underlying oligodendrocyte death during MS and after stroke injury. Focus on endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced in post-mortem MS tissue and in in vitro models of de- and re-myelination (organotypic brain slice cultures). Also interested in mapping ER stress molecules within the normal CNS.

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2015) 'Differential activation of ER stress pathways in myelinating cerebellar tracts'
Michelle Naughton, Jill McMahon, Una FitzGerald (2015) 'Differential activation of ER stress pathways in myelinating cerebellar tracts'. International Journal Of Developmental Neuroscience, [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'An Ex-Vivo Multiple Sclerosis Model of Inflammatory Demyelination using Hyperbranched Polymer'
Mathew, A. Parkan, J.M., Collin, E., Wang, W., McDermott, K., Fitzgerald, U., Reynolds, R. and Pandit, A. (2013) 'An Ex-Vivo Multiple Sclerosis Model of Inflammatory Demyelination using Hyperbranched Polymer'. Biomaterials, [Details]
(2013) 'Calreticulin and other components of endoplasmic reticulum stress in rat and human inflammatory demyelination'
Mary Ni Fhlathartaigh, Jill McMahon, Richard Reynolds, David Connolly, Eibhlin Higgins, Timothy Counihan, Una FitzGerald (2013) 'Calreticulin and other components of endoplasmic reticulum stress in rat and human inflammatory demyelination'. 1 (37) [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 'Increased expression of ER stress- and hypoxia-assocaited molecules in grey matter lesions in multiple sclerosis'
McMahon J, McQuaid S, Reynolds R, FitzGerald, U (2012) 'Increased expression of ER stress- and hypoxia-assocaited molecules in grey matter lesions in multiple sclerosis'. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, [Details]
(2012) 'InterfERing with endoplasmic reticulum stress'
Honorata Kraskiewicz and Una FitzGerald (2012) 'InterfERing with endoplasmic reticulum stress'. Trends In Pharmacological Sciences, 89 [Details]
(2011) 'Expression profiles of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related molecules in demyelinating lesions and multiple sclerosis'
Cunnea, P,Mhaille, AN,McQuaid, S,Farrell, M,McMahon, J,FitzGerald, U (2011) 'Expression profiles of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related molecules in demyelinating lesions and multiple sclerosis'. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 17 :808-818 [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Partial XBP1 Knockdown Does Not Affect Viability of Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells Exposed to New Models of Hypoxia and Ischemia In Vitro'
Kraskiewicz, H,FitzGerald, U (2011) 'Partial XBP1 Knockdown Does Not Affect Viability of Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells Exposed to New Models of Hypoxia and Ischemia In Vitro'. Journal Of Neuroscience Research, 89 :661-673 [DOI] [Details]
(2010) 'Gene expression analysis of the microvascular compartment in multiple sclerosis using laser microdissected blood vessels'
Cunnea, P,McMahon, J,O'Connell, E,Mashayekhi, K,Fitzgerald, U,McQuaid, S (2010) 'Gene expression analysis of the microvascular compartment in multiple sclerosis using laser microdissected blood vessels'. Acta Neuropathologica, 119 :601-615 [DOI] [Details]
(2010) 'Methods for Monitoring Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and the Unfolded Protein Response'
Samali, A., Fitzgerald, U., Deegan, S., & Gupta, S. (2010) 'Methods for Monitoring Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and the Unfolded Protein Response'. International Journal Of Cell Biology, [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2010) 'Methods for monitoring endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response'
Samali A, Fitzgerald U, Deegan S, Gupta S (2010) 'Methods for monitoring endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response'. International Journal Of Cell Biology, 2010 [DOI] [Details]
(2009) 'The effects of blood-brain barrier disruption on glial cell function in Multiple Sclerosis'
Stephen McQuaid, Paula Cunnea, Jill McMahon, Una FitzGerald (2009) 'The effects of blood-brain barrier disruption on glial cell function in Multiple Sclerosis'. Biochemical Society Transactions, [Details]
(2008) 'Increased expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related signaling pathway molecules in multiple sclerosis lesions'
Mhaille, AN,McQuaid, S,Windebank, A,Cunnea, P,McMahon, J,Samali, A,FitzGerald, U (2008) 'Increased expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related signaling pathway molecules in multiple sclerosis lesions'. Journal Of Neuropathology And Experimental Neurology, 67 :200-211 [Details]
(2008) 'Increased expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related signaling pathway molecules in multiple sclerosis lesions'
Mháille AN, McQuaid S, Windebank A, Cunnea P, McMahon J, Samali A, FitzGerald U (2008) 'Increased expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related signaling pathway molecules in multiple sclerosis lesions'. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol, 67 (3):200-211 [DOI] [Details]
(2007) 'Absence of aquaporin-4 expression in lesions of neuromyelitis optica but increased expression in multiple sclerosis lesions and normal-appearing white matter'
Sinclair, C,Kirk, J,Herron, B,Fitzgerald, U,McQuaid, S (2007) 'Absence of aquaporin-4 expression in lesions of neuromyelitis optica but increased expression in multiple sclerosis lesions and normal-appearing white matter'. Acta Neuropathologica, 113 :187-194 [DOI] [Details]
(2005) 'CD95-mediated alteration in Hsp70 levels is dependent on protein stabilization'
Concannon, CG,FitzGerald, U,Holmberg, CI,Szegezdi, E,Sistonen, L,Samali, A (2005) 'CD95-mediated alteration in Hsp70 levels is dependent on protein stabilization'. Cell Stress & Chaperones, 10 :59-65 [Details]
(2005) 'Role of Mayven, a Kelch-related protein in oligodendrocyte process formation'
Williams, SK,Spence, HJ,Rodgers, RR,Ozanne, BW,Fitzgerald, U,Barnett, SC (2005) 'Role of Mayven, a Kelch-related protein in oligodendrocyte process formation'. Journal Of Neuroscience Research, 81 :622-631 [DOI] [Details]
(2005) 'CD95-mediated alteration in Hsp70 levels is dependent on protein stabilization'
Concannon CG, FitzGerald U, Holmberg CI, Szegezdi E, Sistonen L, Samali A (2005) 'CD95-mediated alteration in Hsp70 levels is dependent on protein stabilization'. Cell Stress & Chaperones, 10 (1):59-65 [Details]
(2003) 'In the cut and thrust of apoptosis, serine proteases come of age'
Stenson-Cox C, FitzGerald U, Samali A (2003) 'In the cut and thrust of apoptosis, serine proteases come of age'. Biochemical Pharmacology, 66 (8):1469-1474 [Details]
(2003) 'Caspase-12 and ER-stress-mediated apoptosis: the story so far'
Szegezdi E, Fitzgerald U, Samali A (2003) 'Caspase-12 and ER-stress-mediated apoptosis: the story so far'. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1010 :186-194 [Details]
(2003) 'Hypoxia and ischemia induce nuclear condensation and caspase activation in cardiomyocytes'
O'Mahoney, M. E.,Logue, S.,Szegezdi, E.,Stenson-Cox, C.,Fitzgerald, U.,Samali, A. (2003) 'Hypoxia and ischemia induce nuclear condensation and caspase activation in cardiomyocytes'. Annals N.Y. Acad. Sci, 1010 :728-732 [Details]
(2003) 'Caspase-12 and ER-stress-mediated apoptosis - The story so far'
Szegezdi, E.,Fitzgerald, U.,Samali, A. (2003) 'Caspase-12 and ER-stress-mediated apoptosis - The story so far'. Annals N.Y. Acad. Sci, 1010 :186-194 [Details]
(2003) 'Hypoxia and ischemia induce nuclear condensation and caspase activation in cardiomyocytes'
O'Mahoney ME, Logue S, Szegezdi E, Stenson-Cox C, Fitzgerald U, Samali A (2003) 'Hypoxia and ischemia induce nuclear condensation and caspase activation in cardiomyocytes'. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1010 :728-732 [Details]
(2000) 'Krp1, a novel kelch related protein that is involved in pseudopod elongation in transformed cells'
Spence, H.J., Johnston, I., Ewart, K., Buchanan, S.J., FitzGerald, U, Ozanne, B.W. (2000) 'Krp1, a novel kelch related protein that is involved in pseudopod elongation in transformed cells'. Oncogene, 19 :1266-1276 [Details]
(2000) 'AP-1 activity during the growth, differentiation, and death of O-2A lineage cells'
FitzGerald, U., and Barnett, S.C. (2000) 'AP-1 activity during the growth, differentiation, and death of O-2A lineage cells'. Mol Cell Neurosci, 16 :453-469 [Details]
(2003) 'In the cut and thrust of apoptosis, serine proteases come of age'
Stenson-Cox, C.M., FitzGerald, U., Samali, A. (2003) 'In the cut and thrust of apoptosis, serine proteases come of age'. Biochem Biopharm, 66 :1469-1474 [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
'Heat shock proteins in regulation of neural apoptosis'
FitzGerald U., Gorman A.M., Samali A. 'Heat shock proteins in regulation of neural apoptosis' In: Heat Shock Proteins in Neural Cells. [Details]
'Molecular basis of inhibition of apoptosis by Heat shock proteins'
Gill C., Meyer M., Samali A. 'Molecular basis of inhibition of apoptosis by Heat shock proteins' In: Stress response: a molecular Biology approach. [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2009) The effects of blood-brain barrier disruption on glial cell function in multiple sclerosis
McQuaid, S,Cunnea, P,McMahon, J,Fitzgerald, U (2009) BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS The effects of blood-brain barrier disruption on glial cell function in multiple sclerosis , pp.329-331 [DOI] [Details]
(2003) Hypoxia and ischemia induce nuclear condensation and caspase activation in cardiomyocytes
O'Mahoney, ME,Logue, S,Szegezdi, E,Stenson-Cox, C,Fitzgerald, U,Samali, A (2003) APOPTOSIS: FROM SIGNALING PATHWAYS TO THERAPEUTIC TOOLS Hypoxia and ischemia induce nuclear condensation and caspase activation in cardiomyocytes , pp.728-732 [DOI] [Details]
(2003) In the cut and thrust of apoptosis, serine proteases come of age
Stenson-Cox, C,FitzGerald, U,Samali, A (2003) BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY In the cut and thrust of apoptosis, serine proteases come of age , pp.1469-1474 [DOI] [Details]

Abstract

  Year Publication
(2015) Iron loading with ferrocene induces iron mismanagement in organotypic hippocampal slices.
Healy, S,McMahon, J,FitzGerald, U (2015) Iron loading with ferrocene induces iron mismanagement in organotypic hippocampal slices. Abstract [Details]
(2015) Endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated proteins in saliva: potential biomarkers for multiple sclerosis?.
McMahon, J,Higgins, E,Garvey, A,Counihan, T,Fitzgerald, U (2015) Endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated proteins in saliva: potential biomarkers for multiple sclerosis?. Abstract [Details]
(2015) Ferrocene perturbs iron metabolism in organotypic hippocampal slices.
Healy, S,McMahon, J,FitzGerald, U (2015) Ferrocene perturbs iron metabolism in organotypic hippocampal slices. Abstract [Details]
(2014) Increased endoplasmic reticulum stress signalling in rat white matter development.
Naughton, M,McMahon, J,Fitzgerald, U (2014) Increased endoplasmic reticulum stress signalling in rat white matter development. Abstract [Details]
(2013) Is B cell immunoglobulin (BiP) a useful biomarker for Multiple Sclerosis?.
Higgins, E,McMahon, J,Counihan, T,FitzGerald, U (2013) Is B cell immunoglobulin (BiP) a useful biomarker for Multiple Sclerosis?. Abstract [Details]
(2011) ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM STRESS AS A COMPONENT OF DEMYELINATION IN A CORTICAL EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS MODEL OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.
Ni Fhlathartaigh, M,McMahon, J,Reynolds, R,FitzGerald, U (2011) ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM STRESS AS A COMPONENT OF DEMYELINATION IN A CORTICAL EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS MODEL OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. Abstract [Details]
(2011) IS ER-STRESS AND/OR HYPOXIA INVOLVED IN THE PATHOLOGY OF GREY MATTER LESION DEVELOPMENT IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?.
McMahon, J,McQuaid, S,Farrell, M,FitzGerald, U (2011) IS ER-STRESS AND/OR HYPOXIA INVOLVED IN THE PATHOLOGY OF GREY MATTER LESION DEVELOPMENT IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?. Abstract [Details]
(2011) CHARACTERIZATION OF MARKERS OF ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM STRESS IN AN EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS MODEL OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.
Fhlathartaigh, MN,McMahon, J,Reynolds, R,FitzGerald, U (2011) CHARACTERIZATION OF MARKERS OF ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM STRESS IN AN EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS MODEL OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. Abstract [Details]
(2011) EXPRESSION OF ER STRESS- AND HYPOXIA-ASSOCIATED MOLECULES IN GREY MATTER LESIONS IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.
McMahon, J,McQuaid, S,Reynolds, R,Fitzgerald, U (2011) EXPRESSION OF ER STRESS- AND HYPOXIA-ASSOCIATED MOLECULES IN GREY MATTER LESIONS IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. Abstract [Details]
(2009) DETECTION OF MARKERS OF ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM STRESS IN INFARCTED HUMAN BRAIN AND IN NEWLY-DEVELOPED IN VITRO MODELS OF OLIGODENDROCYTE ISCHAEMIA.
Kraskiewicz, H,Ni Mhaille, A,Roemer, S,Lucchinetti, C,Fitzgerald, U (2009) DETECTION OF MARKERS OF ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM STRESS IN INFARCTED HUMAN BRAIN AND IN NEWLY-DEVELOPED IN VITRO MODELS OF OLIGODENDROCYTE ISCHAEMIA. Abstract [Details]
(2009) WHAT IS ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM STRESS DOING DURING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PROGRESSION?.
Mcmahon, J,Mhaille, AN,Mcquaid, S,Farrell, M,Cunnea, P,Dolphin, C,Samali, A,Fitzgerald, U (2009) WHAT IS ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM STRESS DOING DURING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PROGRESSION?. Abstract [Details]
(2007) Endoplasmic reticulum stress in multiple sclerosis.
Mhaille, AN,McQuaid, S,Windebank, A,Cunnea, P,McMahon, J,Samali, A,FitzGerald, U (2007) Endoplasmic reticulum stress in multiple sclerosis. Abstract [Details]
(2005) Staurosporine-induced cell death requires caspase and non-caspase dependant proteolytic mechanisms in a cell specific manner.
Stenson-Cox, CM,Holohan, C,Fitzgerald, U,Samali, A (2005) Staurosporine-induced cell death requires caspase and non-caspase dependant proteolytic mechanisms in a cell specific manner. Abstract [Details]

Conference Paper

  Year Publication
(2015) Endoplasmic reticulum stress: jack of all trades in multiple sclerosis.
McMahon, J,Naughton, M,Healy, S,FitzGerald, U (2015) Endoplasmic reticulum stress: jack of all trades in multiple sclerosis. Conference Paper [Details]

Meeting

  Year Publication
(2013) Profile of Calreticulin and Other Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Molecules in an Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis.
Fhlathartaigh, MN,McMahon, J,Reynolds, R,FitzGerald, U (2013) Profile of Calreticulin and Other Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Molecules in an Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis. Meeting [Details]
(2013) Pathological expression of calreticulin and other endoplasmic reticulum stress molecules in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis animal model of multiple sclerosis.
Fhlathartaigh, MN,McMahon, J,Reynolds, R,FitzGerald, U (2013) Pathological expression of calreticulin and other endoplasmic reticulum stress molecules in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis animal model of multiple sclerosis. Meeting [Details]
(2013) CALRETICULIN: A NEW TWIST IN THE ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS TALE.
FitzGerald, U,McMahon, J,Ni Fhlathartaigh, M,Cunnea, P,Ni Mhaille, A,McQuaid, S,Farrel, M,Reynolds, R,Connolly, D (2013) CALRETICULIN: A NEW TWIST IN THE ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS TALE. Meeting [Details]
(2013) EXPRESSION OF CALRETICULIN AND OTHER ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM STRESS MOLECULES IN A RAT MODEL OF INFLAMMATORY DEMYELINATION.
FitzGerald, U,Fhlathartaigh, MN,McMahon, J,Reynolds, R (2013) EXPRESSION OF CALRETICULIN AND OTHER ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM STRESS MOLECULES IN A RAT MODEL OF INFLAMMATORY DEMYELINATION. Meeting [Details]
(2011) DETECTION OF MARKERS OF ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM STRESS IN A RAT FOCAL CEREBRAL ISCHAEMIA MODEL.
Kraskiewicz, H,McMahon, J,McCabe, C,Macrae, M,FitzGerald, U (2011) DETECTION OF MARKERS OF ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM STRESS IN A RAT FOCAL CEREBRAL ISCHAEMIA MODEL. Meeting [Details]

Reviews

  Year Publication
(2012) InterfERing with endoplasmic reticulum stress.
Kraskiewicz, H,FitzGerald, U (2012) InterfERing with endoplasmic reticulum stress. Reviews [DOI] [Details]

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
Neuroscience Ireland Member 01-AUG-06 /
Biochemistry Society Member 01-OCT-03 /
Irish Institute of Clinical Science Member of Board of DIrectors, representing neuroscientists 20-DEC-14 /
MS Ireland Member of Expert Panel 01-JAN-16 /

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
College of Science Graduate Studies Committee Representing postgraduate taught programmes in the College of Sience 02-NOV-15 /
School of Natural Science Executive Committee Representing postgraduate taught programmes 24-SEP-14 /

Community Engagement

  Title Type From / To
Outreach Science Festival 23-NOV-14 /
Outreach Brain Awareness Week 07-MAR-12 / 08-MAR-12

Reviews

  Journal Role
Journal Of Neuropathology And Experimental Neurology Editor
Febs Letters Reviewer
Neural Regeneration Research Reviewer
Multiple Sclerosis Journal Reviewer
Journal Of Neuroscience Research Reviewer
Brain Research Reviewer
Brain Research Reviewer

Current Postgraduate Students (Taught)

  Name Degree Primary Supervisor
Lianne Carey Msc Y
Thomas Tuohy Msc Y
Jacqueline Roche Msc Y
Deirdre Ryan Msc Y
Aoife McConnan Msc

Recent Postgraduate Students

  Graduation Name Degree Primary Supervisor
2012 Honorata Kraskiewicz PhD Y
2013 Mary Ni Fhlathartaigh PhD Y

Modules Taught

  Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Molecular Medicine
Molecular and Regenerative Medicine
Scientific Writing
Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology

External Collaborators

  Name Organisation / Institute Country Description of Collaboration
Professor Richard Reynolds Imperial College, London UNITED KINGDOM
Multiple Sclerosis research, particularly post-mortem human MS tissue studies and animal models of multiple sclersosis.