Pharmacology and Therapeutics
News and Events
Applications are invited for a PhD Studentship in the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
Project Background: The project focuses on identifying new treatment options for cerebral malaria (CM) the most virulent and deadliest manifestation of malaria. It is caused by Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes (iRBC) adhering to host brain endothelial cells and compromising the blood brain barrier. While available anti-malarial drugs are effective at clearing parasites from the blood, they do not have specific effects against CM.
We have found that P. falciparum-iRBC induced disruption of human brain microvascular endothelial cell junctions was prevented by the activation of the angiotensin (Ang) II receptor type 2 (AT2), achieving protection of endothelial integrity. We also found that AT2 agonists are protective against experimental CM, and mice deficient in the AT2 receptor are more susceptible to this syndrome. Recently however, we have expanded the renin-angiotensin system by identifying additional receptors (Mas and MrgD) that are activated by agonists similar or equal to AT2 agonists, such as C21 or Ang-(1-7). We hypothesize that activation of one, two, or all three receptors of the beneficial arm of the renin-angiotensin system protects brain endothelial cells from parasite-induced disruption of their barrier function.
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Christmas Party 2017
UCC PhD Candidates among prize winners at Annual Meeting of the Irish Association of Pharmacologists
John David Kehoe awarded BPS Prize for Clinical Pharmacology & the Dr Henry Hutchinson Stewart Medical Scholarship in Pharmacology
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Welcome to the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics
The Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics is located in the Western Gateway Building and in the School of Pharmacy on the main campus. From an administrative perspective, the Department is part of the School of Medicine, within the College of Medicine and Health. However, our staff are based both in the School of Medicine and the School of Pharmacy.
We have three overarching aims:
1. To provide excellence in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in Pharmacology, Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. We teach students in the fields of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy and the Basic Sciences across the Colleges of Medicine and Health and Science, Engineering and Food Science. More details availalbe in our Teaching link.
2. To excel in research. The research interests of the staff cross multiple systems. More details availalbe in our Research link.
3. To attract and inspire motivated, successful and content students and staff.
Facilities include both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research laboratories. These facilities incorporate cell and molecular biology facilities, microscopy, flow cytometry as well as facilities for traditional in vitro pharmacological techniques.
We look forward to engaging with all stakeholders in Pharmacology teaching and research to enhance the safety, quality and efficacy of pharmaceutical-based healthcare.
News and Events
Applications are invited for a PhD Studentship in the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
Project Background: The project focuses on identifying new treatment options for cerebral malaria (CM) the most virulent and deadliest manifestation of malaria. It is caused by Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes (iRBC) adhering to host brain endothelial cells and compromising the blood brain barrier. While available anti-malarial drugs are effective at clearing parasites from the blood, they do not have specific effects against CM.
We have found that P. falciparum-iRBC induced disruption of human brain microvascular endothelial cell junctions was prevented by the activation of the angiotensin (Ang) II receptor type 2 (AT2), achieving protection of endothelial integrity. We also found that AT2 agonists are protective against experimental CM, and mice deficient in the AT2 receptor are more susceptible to this syndrome. Recently however, we have expanded the renin-angiotensin system by identifying additional receptors (Mas and MrgD) that are activated by agonists similar or equal to AT2 agonists, such as C21 or Ang-(1-7). We hypothesize that activation of one, two, or all three receptors of the beneficial arm of the renin-angiotensin system protects brain endothelial cells from parasite-induced disruption of their barrier function.
Read Article