Having obtained a Fighting Blindness Research scholarship in 2002, Dr Matthew Campbell graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) in 2006 with a PhD in Biochemistry focusing on the role of tight junctions in the development of the degenerative eye conditions diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneraton (AMD). In the same year, he joined the Genetics department in TCD and focused his interests primarily around the molecular biology and physiology of the vasculature associated with neural tissues. He has published extensively on the use of RNA interference (RNAi) to modulate levels of distinct tight junction proteins at the blood-brain barrier/inner blood retina barrier (BBB/iBRB) in vivo.

My laboratory focuses primarily on the molecular biology and physiology of the vasculature associated with neural tissues. We use genetic and molecular biology based approaches to explore the interplay between neural tissue and the systemic circulation. One major topic of my research is centered on the tight junctions located between microvascular endothelial cells of the blood brain and inner blood retina barriers (BBB/iBRB) and how these barriers function in health and disease.  We aim to develop technologies to address an unmet clinical need for a range of neural conditions that currently have limited forms of therapeutic intervention and these include Alzheimer Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

In addition to translational interests, our lab is also heavily focused on elucidating the under-lying mechanisms of the diseases we are studying and this has led to novel findings associated with the molecular pathology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  Identification of novel therapeutic targets has the potential to rapidly translate to new medicines and this is a strong focus of the lab at present.

RNAi mediated modulation of the BBB and iBRB

We use in vitro and in vivo methods to investigate the role of distinct tight junction proteins in regulating the BBB and iBRB and how these proteins function in health and disease. Given that almost every neurodegenerative condition has BBB dysfunction as a central hallmark or co-morbidity, a greater understanding of the role played by the molecular components of the BBB is essential in identifying novel therapeutic targets for conditions such as Alzheimer Disease (AD), Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), Multiple sclerosis (MS) and neurotrauma. Modulation of the BBB is also being explored as a strategy to enhance drug delivery to the brain and retina while also being able to alleviate cerebral edema associated with neural malignancies.

Generation of transgenic/knockout mice

In order to better explore the role of distinct components of the BBB/iBRB in mediating the development of a range of neural/ophthalmological conditions, we generate murine models in which we can regulate key components of the tight junctions at the BBB/iBRB. In effect, this allows us to establish disease models to better elucidate the role played by the BBB/iBRB in the development of disease states.

Elucidation of the molecular aetiology of neural diseases

Interested in working with us?

We are always interested in recruiting talented people to the lab and in supporting applications for personal PhD and postdoctoral fellowships.

Please contact Matthew (matthew.campbell@tcd.ie) for further details.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Inflammasome oligomerisation in bone marrow derived macrophages

Fundus photograph of a human retina

Relevant links

www.tcdlife.ie

www.tcdlife.ie/living

www.arvo.org

www.fightingblindness.ie

www.ibbsoc.org

Contact Details

Dr Matthew Campbell

Smurfit Institute of Genetics,

Lincoln Place Gate,

Dublin 2.

Email: Matthew.Campbell@tcd.ie

Phone: (00353)-1-8961482 (Office)

(00353)-1-8962486 (Lab)