UCD Centre for Toxicology

Members of the centre undertake research in the area of toxicology and the development of alternative methods in toxicity testing. Other research areas include the use of high through-put screening in chemical toxicity testing, and identification of novel therapeutic compounds in cancer treatment. Another research area of interest is the development of models of renal cell injury, including the investigation of the role of chemical agents such as environmental toxicants, in renal fibrosis development through the application of genomics and proteomics techniques. Studies on differentially regulated genes and proteins provide insights into chemically induced renal fibrosis, as well as into the molecular mechanisms underlying kidney damage and disease, including tumour biology and fibrosis. Further examination of differentially regulated genes may lead to the identification of novel genes and potential adjunct therapies.

The centre also delivers an MSc in Toxicology and Regulatory Affairs which trains ~25 MSc students every year. The programme is an officially accredited programme by EUROTOX, the European Registry of Toxicologists. Graduates of the programme can apply for ERT status upon completion of the programme and relevant work experience. The centre also delivers a Professional Certificate and a Professional Diploma in Toxicology. Further information is available at the MSc Regulatory Affairs and Toxicology website.

As European and Irish Registered Toxicologists, the members also provide toxicological consultations to the general public who may have concerns regarding toxic exposures. They also provide official toxicological reports. The centre has close affiliations with the Irish Society of Toxicology and also advertises events to members of the IST.

(opens in a new window)In vitro-, ecological-, murine, and human models for examining the effects of EDCs

Verónica Ibáñez Gaspar, Hilary Cassidy, Craig Slattery, Lisa Connolly, Tara McMorrow 

(opens in a new window)The Curcuminoid EF24 in Combination with TRAIL Reduces Human Renal Cancer Cell Migration by Decreasing MMP-2/MMP-9 Activity through a Reduction in H2O2

Verónica Ibáñez Gaspar, Tara McMorrow 

(opens in a new window)Effects of Curcumin Analogues DMC and EF24 in Combination with the Cytokine TRAIL against Kidney Cancer

Verónica Ibáñez Gaspar, Jasmin McCaul, Hilary Cassidy, Craig Slattery, Tara McMorrow 

(opens in a new window)Curcumin Sensitizes Kidney Cancer Cells to TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis via ROS Mediated Activation of JNK-CHOP Pathway and Upregulation of DR4

Ismael Obaidi, Hilary Cassidy, Verónica Ibáñez Gaspar, Jasmin McCaul, Michael Higgins, Melinda Halász, Alison L. Reynolds, Breandan N. Kennedy, Tara McMorrow 
 

(opens in a new window)Reactive carbonyl compounds impair wound healing by vimentin collapse and loss of the primary cilium.

Rodríguez-Ribera L, Slattery C, Mc Morrow T, Marcos R, Pastor S.

(opens in a new window)Tacrolimus Modulates TGF-β Signaling to Induce Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Renal Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cells.

(opens in a new window)Inter-laboratory study of human in vitro toxicogenomics-based tests as alternative methods for evaluating chemical carcinogenicity: a bioinformatics perspective.

(opens in a new window)Cystine accumulation attenuates insulin release from the pancreatic β-cell due to elevated oxidative stress and decreased ATP levels.

(opens in a new window)New developments concerning the proximal tubule in diabetic nephropathy: in vitro models and mechanisms.

(opens in a new window)Urinary biomarkers of chronic allograft nephropathy.

(opens in a new window)Mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis in the kidneys.

(opens in a new window)High-Throughput Proteomic Approaches to the Elucidation of Potential Biomarkers of Chronic Allograft Injury (CAI).