Anthony Doherty Email & Phone Number

Ireland

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Project title: To determine the regulatory element of circLMP2Research skills acquired during this project:Molecular biology: Primer design, primer optimization, site directed mutagenesis, PCR purification, RE digestion, gel extraction, cloning, plasmid growth and isolation, ethanol precipitation, screening for positive clones utilizing RE digestionGenetics: Preparing samples for sequencing, DNA sequencing analysisHEK293T cell culture: Cell maintenance, seeding cells for experiments, calcium phosphate transfectionI was selected as a trailblazer to represent UCD at the University of Malaya (a university ranked among the top 100 universities world wide) with the aim of establishing a relationship with their faculty of science. The Yuen lab focuses on circular RNAs. The aim of my project was to determine the minimal flanking sequence that is needed for the biogeneis of circLMP2 via: deletion of the intronic sequences flanking exon5 and to determine the splicing element with site-directed mutagenesis. I successfully generated the correct constructs for transfection. Subsequent work will determine if the specific mutations affect the formation of the circRNA by RT-qPCR.

Conway Institute, Ucd

PI: Dr. Niamh O’SullivanThesis Title: Investigation of novel cellular models of neurodegenerative disease. (Achieved an A grade accounting for 33% of my final year grade)Research skills acquired during this project:Molecular biology: DNA extraction, RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, gene expression analysis using sqPCR and primer optimizationGenetics: Screening for mutant cell lines using the mismatch assay, DNA sequencing analysisU20S cell culture: Cell maintenance, freezing down cell lines for storage, seeding cells for experiments and transfectionMicroscopy and image analysis: Fluorescent stereomicroscopy, fixing and mounting cells for imaging, confocal microscopy image analysis using ImageJ softwareThe aim of my project was to generate a human cellular model of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) by knockout of ARL6IP1 using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. ARL6IP1 is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-shaping protein and loss of function mutations in this gene cause HSP. I generated cell lines expressing mutated ARL6IP1 and investigated the effects of loss of this gene on ER and mitochondrial organization. It is hoped that these novel models of HSP will further our understanding of the role of ER-shaping proteins in neurodegenerative disease.

Conway Institute, Ucd

PI: Dr. Oliver BlacqueProject title: Investigating the function of novel candidate ciliary transition zone genes using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans.Research skills acquired during this internship:Molecular biology: Conducting Genotyping PCR’s, and worm DNA extraction.Genetics: Worm culture and handling, maintaining stocks, staging worms, assessing mutant phenotypes, behavioral and structural assays and crossing transgenes into mutant backgrounds.Microscopy and image analysis: Fluorescent stereomicroscopy and live Fluorescent compound microscopy.Bioinformatics and Data Analysis: BLAST analysis, Image J, Graph Pad Prism.The Blacque lab utilize the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to identify novel genes that regulate cilliary and transition zone functions. During this internship I conducted bioinformatic analysis on over 250 candidate cilliary genes from published work from the Blacque lab. Exploiting the variety of research skills listed above the preliminary data I obtained provided some evidence for new genes related to cillia and the transition zone and formed the basis for a further project in the Blacque lab.

Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland

Working part time as a sales assistant at a busy SuperValu while attending university fostered excellent verbal, written, organizational and interpersonal communication skills. This role also promoted a gain in confidence and provided an excellent opportunity to meet new people.Tasks orchestrated as part of this role included: -Assisting customers with self-checkout IT systems and resolving problems as they arose-Performing cash handling duties on a daily basis-Co-ordinating activities with co-workers to ensure proficiency of daily operations-Answering customer queries and providing information about the products and offers available

Co. Meath, Ireland

I worked as part of the line team in the production department ensuring the products were packaged with great care and attention to detail with an emphasis being placed on minimising waste. This role required me to be flexible as shift work was involved and adaptable as I frequently worked in different locations within the production facility. Tasks demanded as part of this role included:-Organising and printing labels for daily production-Ensuring agreed standards were adhered to in order to protect product quality-Responsible for meeting deadlines and preparation of stock for deliveryWorking as part of this diverse team as a link in the chain increased my team working skills and from this summer job I learned to appreciate how problem solving can be heightened when different cultures and backgrounds of expertise work together.

Bachelor Of Science (Hons) - B.Sc., Neuroscience, First Class Honours (Gpa 3.84/4.2)

Bachelor'S Of Science, Biological And Biomedical Sciences

I undertook my first year at Maynooth University before transferring to UCD. I transferred due to my keen interest and desire.

Education record