Research
What do we work on?...
Molecular and Cell Biology
Genetics can be used to dissect cellular processes and pathways such as
those controlling cell division or cell death. With the sequencing of
the human genome and those of several experimental model organisms,
these experiments can now be performed at the level of entire genomes (
Prof. Seamus Martin).
Microbial Genetics
Genetic and genomic approaches can be used to address all aspects of
bacterial biology, including, for example: Host-pathogen interactions;
Which genes in an organism are essential for its survival; How gene
expression is regulated in response to environmental stress (
Prof. Kevin Devine).
Plant Genetics
Life on earth is powered by sunlight. Plants, through photosynthesis,
capture this energy and generate high-energy compounds on which all
animal life depends. Understanding the molecular pathways that drive
the growth and development of plants is therefore crucially important
for mankind’s future. This knowledge can be used to develop crops with
increased yields and improved resistance to drought, pests and
diseases. Plants can also be manipulated to produce antibodies,
vaccines and other therapeutic agents -- an application called
BioPharming (
Prof. Tony Kavanagh,
Dr. Frank Wellmer).
Neurogenetics and Development
The development of multicellular organisms depends on
differential patterns of gene expression in different cells and regions
of the embryo. Genetic screens in mice and flies have identified many
genes involved in specifying the wiring pattern of the brain.
Variations in this genetic programme may contribute to differences in
individual behaviour and in humans to susceptibility to psychiatric
disorders. Dynamic patterns of gene expression also underlie function
in the mature nervous system such as the encoding of long-term memories (
Dr. Juan Pablo Labrador,
Dr. Kevin Mitchell,
Prof. Mani Ramaswami).
Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics involves the use and development of computer methods to
analyse the vast quantities of DNA sequence and gene expression data
now available. Almost all areas of genetics research now involve
bioinformatics, either as a way to explore ideas for further lab
research, or to handle the results of large-scale experiments.
Molecular evolution is the study of how genes have evolved and why
genomes are organized the way they are (
Dr. Mario Fares,
Dr. Aoife McLysaght).
Medical Genetics
Genetic disorders of one kind or another affect 1 person in 25. Cancer
is also caused by sporadic or inherited mutations in DNA.
Disease-causing mutations can be identified through molecular mapping
in human pedigrees. Animal models of various disorders can then be
generated, for example, using transgenic mice. These models can be used
to test gene therapy or stem cell replacement therapies (
Dr. Adrian Bracken, Prof. Jane Farrar,
Prof. Peter Humphries).
Population Genetics
The history of populations is written in their genes. Patterns of
genetic variation in populations can be used to infer historical
events, such as migrations of animals or peoples or domestication
events. Variation patterns can also reveal the effects of selective
forces, such as disease and lead to the identification of genes
involved in disease resistance (
Prof. Dan Bradley).
Publications
Click
here for a list of recent publications from Smurfit Institute of
Genetics, TCD. This link searches PubMed for papers that give the
Smurfit Institute as the primary address of the authors.
Support
Extensive research support is provided by a dedicated team of administrative, experimental and research staff:
