Maynooth University Faculty of Science & Engineering

My research focuses on the molecular mechanisms involved in regulating the innate immune response through the Toll-like receptors (TLRs). TLRs play a critical role in the evolutionary conserved innate immune response and represents our first line of defense against invading pathogens. TLRs are activated in response to a broad spectrum of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) ranging from bacterial and viral components to fungal and protozoal molecules. Chronic Inflammatory Diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Osteoarthritis (OA) and Type 2 Diabetes, whilst having apparently unrelated aetiologies, share a common late stage pathogenic process, characterized by increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNFa, IL-1b, IL-6 and IL-18. During chronic inflammatory episodes, the 'in-born' or innate immune system may become dysregulated through mechanisms involving Toll-like receptors (TLRs). To better understand the inflammatory response, my group employ cutting edge proteomics technologies to identify novel modulators of TLR signalling and inflammatory processes. Thereafter, molecular immunological approaches are adopted to explore the role of newly identified proteins in the context of inflammatory conditions and antiviral immunity. In particular, my group are interested in the pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis and Type II Diabetes. My group focus on the identification and functional characterisation of proteins that modulate inflammatory and antiviral immunity at the molecular level.