John Christopher Nolan Email & Phone Number

County Galway, Ireland

Galway, County Galway, Ireland

Galway, County Galway, Ireland

My research focused on the study and genetic characterisation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their secreted factors, incorporating biomechanical and tissue-engineering strategies to advance the clinical application of MSCs for bone regeneration. In addition to investigating the potential of MSC cell therapy in bone regeneration, my research focused on the isolation, characterisation, and therapeutic application of MSC-derived extracellular vesicles for the development of cell-free treatment of non-union fractures.

County Dublin, Ireland

Neuroblastoma is a highly malignant paediatric cancer which varies greatly in its clinical behaviour and response to therapy, ranging from spontaneous regression to aggressive disease progression and death despite multimodal chemotherapy. This paediatric cancer, although very rare in its incidence (1/100,000) is responsible for ~15% of childhood cancer deaths. Our research seeks to gain a better understanding of the processes occurring within neuroblastoma cells during resistance development, in order to identify dysregulated genes involved in the acquisition of resistance. By investigating these cellular changes associated with increased resistance to therapy we seek to identify biomarkers for responsiveness to therapy and assess the tumour suppressive potential of candidate miRNA in our comprehensively characterized neuroblastoma relapse models.

County Dublin, Ireland

This project demonstrated the significant increase in resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs with various mechanisms of action following the establishment of resistance to the frontline chemotherapeutic cisplatin, used in the treatment of neuroblastoma. We have identified key cytoskeletal genes, associated with resistance development and involved in invasive capability and metastatic dissemination, which could potentially act as therapeutic targets. A candidate miRNA, miR-124-3p was demonstrated to have tumour suppressor function in our models and was capable of downregulating target cytoskeletal genes found to be associated with resistance. Our research has provided a valuable resource for preclinical studies, characterizing several promising in vitro models of paired sensitive and drug resistant neuroblastoma models.

This position was awarded to me, as I acquired a top grade within my class of 45 students. I achieved a grade of 92% based on continuous assessment of my lab skills and problem solving ability throughout my Junior Sophister year.The research project I worked on, under the guidance of Dr. Anne Molloy, was based on the Biological and Clinical implications of the Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase c677T polymorphism.The project allowed me to perfect and expand my broad range of lab techniques such as culturing lymphocytes, microbiological assay determination of blood folate levels and treatment and handling of biological hazards.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Cancer Genetics

Investigation of the role of miRNAs in acquired chemotherapy resistance in Neuroblastoma.

Honours Bachelor Degree, Biochemistry And Cellular Biology, 2.1

Final year thesis project, " A role for Primary Amine Oxidase in p38 mediated Oral Inflammation."