Dermot P. Kelleher
Encyclopedia
Dermot P Kelleher is Head of the School of Medicine at the University of Dublin
and one of the three founders of Opsona Therapeutics
in 2004.
Opsona's research is primarily focused on the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and TLR signalling in human innate immunity.
and in the interaction between this system and epithelial biology. Hence the research has direct implications for the study of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract including coeliac disease
and Helicobacter pylori
(H. pylori) infection
. The research projects within the group focus on the normal functioning of the T-lymphocyte and its role in intestinal inflammation
. Gastrointestinal inflammation is under immunogenetic control and the genetics of coeliac disease are also a focus of the group.
Specific research topics include:
University of Dublin
The University of Dublin , corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin , located in Dublin, Ireland, was effectively founded when in 1592 Queen Elizabeth I issued a charter for Trinity College, Dublin, as "the mother of a university" – this date making it...
and one of the three founders of Opsona Therapeutics
Opsona Therapeutics
Opsona Therapeutics is a drug development company specialising in the human immune system and new drugs and vaccines to prevent and treat autoimmune/inflammatory conditions, cancers and infectious diseases....
in 2004.
Opsona's research is primarily focused on the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and TLR signalling in human innate immunity.
Research interests
His major interest is in the biology of the gastrointestinal immune systemImmune system
An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism's own...
and in the interaction between this system and epithelial biology. Hence the research has direct implications for the study of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract including coeliac disease
Coeliac disease
Coeliac disease , is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that occurs in genetically predisposed people of all ages from middle infancy onward...
and Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori , previously named Campylobacter pyloridis, is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium found in the stomach. It was identified in 1982 by Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, who found that it was present in patients with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, conditions that were...
(H. pylori) infection
Infection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
. The research projects within the group focus on the normal functioning of the T-lymphocyte and its role in intestinal inflammation
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
. Gastrointestinal inflammation is under immunogenetic control and the genetics of coeliac disease are also a focus of the group.
Specific research topics include:
- Signalling role of adhesion molecules on both peripheral and intestinal lymphocyteLymphocyteA lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell in the vertebrate immune system.Under the microscope, lymphocytes can be divided into large lymphocytes and small lymphocytes. Large granular lymphocytes include natural killer cells...
s. - Interactions between H. pylori and the gastrointestinal epithelium.
- VaccineVaccineA vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe or its toxins...
development for H. pylori infection. Immunogenetics of gastrointestinal and liver disease.
Milestones
- Characterisation of biochemical mechanisms involved in integrinIntegrinIntegrins are receptors that mediate attachment between a cell and the tissues surrounding it, which may be other cells or the ECM. They also play a role in cell signaling and thereby regulate cellular shape, motility, and the cell cycle....
-mediated lymphocyte migration, a potential target for new therapeutic strategies. - Identification of mechanisms whereby H. pylori protects itself from antibody attacks.
- Development and patenting of H. pylori vaccine, which has been licensed to Chiron CorporationChiron CorporationChiron Corporation was a multinational biotechnology firm based in Emeryville, California that was acquired by Novartis International AG on April 20, 2006. It had offices and facilities in eighteen countries on five continents. Chiron's business and research was in three main areas:...
. - Characterisation of immunogenetics of Hepatitis CHepatitis CHepatitis C is an infectious disease primarily affecting the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus . The infection is often asymptomatic, but chronic infection can lead to scarring of the liver and ultimately to cirrhosis, which is generally apparent after many years...
viral clearance.
Professional attachments
- Irish Society of Gastroenterology
- Irish Society for Immunology
- American Association for the Advancement of ScienceAmerican Association for the Advancement of ScienceThe American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
- American Gastroenterological AssociationAmerican Gastroenterological AssociationThe American Gastroenterological Association "AGA" is a medical association of gastroenterologists. About 17,000 scientists and physicians are members of the organization.-Overview:...
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyThe American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is a learned society that was founded on December 26, 1906 at a meeting organized by John Jacob Abel...
- Biochemical SocietyBiochemical SocietyThe Biochemical Society is a learned society in the United Kingdom in the field of biochemistry, including all the cellular and molecular biosciences.-Structure:...
- Society for Mucosal Immunology
- Irish Association for Cancer Research
- Fellow, Royal College of Physicians of IrelandRoyal College of Physicians of IrelandThe Royal College of Physicians of Ireland , was founded in 1654 and is a postgraduate medical organisation comprising Members and Fellows...
- Fellow, Royal College of Physicians, London
- Fellow, Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland
- Fellow, Academy of Medical SciencesAcademy of Medical SciencesThe Academy of Medical Sciences is the United Kingdom's national academy of medical sciences. It was established in 1998 on the recommendation of a group that was chaired by Michael Atiyah. Its president is John Irving Bell....
- Director, Health Research Board, Ireland