Research

Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics Research Areas

Pharmacology is the study of the interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function. The field encompasses drug composition and properties, interactions, toxicology, therapy, medical applications and antipathogenic capabilities. In pharmacology, therapeutics refers to the use of drugs and the method of their administration in the treatment of disease.  

University College Cork is a globally-oriented, research-led university that focuses on the challenges and opportunities that are shaping the future of our nation and the wider world. UCC is an internationally competitive, research-led University that plays a key role in the development of Ireland’s knowledge-based economy. 

Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics Research Areas

The research activities in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics reflect the broad nature of the disciple but fall within the following research themes aligned with Research strategies of the College of Medicine and Health, the University and national and international research themes of strategic importance.

Our list of research areas below will give you an overview of the research areas within the department. 

• Pharmacological and pathophysiological aspects of pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes
• Obstetric complications and fetal neurodevelopmental outcomes
• Biochemical and immunological aspects of toxicity
• Cancer cell signaling and its modification (therapeutic or environmental)
• Neurobiology of Stress and Trauma / Brain-Gut Microbiome Axis
• Vascular biology and functional foods
• Stroke, Vascular Biology and Neuroprotection
• Pharmacological and pathophysiological aspects of cardiovascular biology
• Identification and Development of Cardioprotective Agents for the Treatment of Cardiac Pathologies
• Neurodegenerative disorders and lysosomal storage diseases
• Development of Novel Neuroprotective or Disease-modifying Therapies

Departmental Associations with Key University Research Centres and Units

The staff in the Department are actively involved in interdisciplinary research collaborations and are Principal Investigators and/or collaborators in major Research Institutes/Initiatives in UCC

• INFANT Centre - Dr. Cathal McCarthy
• Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre - Prof. David Kerins
• Cancer Research at UCC - Dr. Orla Barry, Prof. 
• Cork Cancer Research Centre - Dr. Orla Barry
• Environmental Research Institute - Dr. Frank van Pelt
• Food for Health Ireland - Prof. David Kerins
• Cork NeuroScience Centre - Dr. Barry Boland, Prof. Christian Waeber.

Research Facilities and Location

The Departments core research activities are located at two adjacent sites on the main University campus:  in the newly constructed, purpose built, Western Gateway Building and in the Cavanagh Pharmacy Building.  Purpose-built spaces incorporate in-house cell culture, microscopy, flow cytometry and molecular biology facilities, in addition to more traditional in vitro pharmacological techniques. Furthermore, the department developed very recently a state-of-the-art haemodynamic unit allowing for the characterisation of cardiac and blood pressure parameters in rodents