Research Profile

Biography

Academic Career

John Morgan graduated in 1979 with a BSc (Hons) and in 1983 with a PhD from the Department of Biochemistry at University College Galway. He worked as a post-doctoral scientist in the laboratory of Professor Gerald Crabtree initially at the National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA and subsequently at the Dept. of Pathology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California, USA (1983-1987). This was followed by five years as a Research Scientist with Genelabs Inc., Redwood City, California, USA. Dr Morgan returned to Ireland in 1992 to take up a position as a College Lecturer in the Department of Microbiology, University College Cork. In 2001, he was appointed to Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, University College Cork. He has on two different occasions acted as Director of CIT/UCC Joint BSc in Biomedical Sciences. He is presently a member of UCC Biosafety Committee.

At UCC, Dr. Morgan primary focus of the research is on the interaction of diarrhoeal disease viruses (Norovirus, Rotavirus, Poliovirus and Sicinivirus 1, a novel chicken picornavirus) with gut mucosal epithelia, including Peyer’s patches and M cells but additionally the interaction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with lung epithelial cells. We are also interested in the effector influence of probiotic bacteria of virus-epithelial interactions.

 

Research Interests

    

Research Interests: Gastrointestinal and food-borne viruses, Mucosal immunology. 

At UCC, Dr. Morgan’s research programme has been in the area of virus characterisation, virus-host epithelial cell interactions and mucosal immunology. The primary focus of the research has been on the characterisation of Irish isolates of Norovirus (including Carlow virus, a 2002 G11.4 variant Norovirus strain from Ireland) and Rotavirus. The interaction of diarrhoeal disease viruses (Norovirus and Rotavirus) with gut mucosal epithelia, including Peyer's patches and M cells and the interaction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with lung epithelial cells have been investigated.. Recent interests have been on the analysis of the gastrointestinal virus content of broiler and free-range chickens. This has lead to the isolation and identification of a novel picornavirus, Sicinivirus A. This virus has been proposed as a new genus “Sicinivirus” within the Picornavirus Family of viruses (International Committee of Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).

                      

Research Grants

 ProjectFunding
Body
Start DateEnd DateAward
[HEA CYCLE INTERACT] {DR J MORGAN} NHigher Education authority01-JUN-0230-SEP-08€92,373.00
Mining and Modelling - Animal Rotavirus EpidemiologyDepartment of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF)01-NOV-1230-OCT-14€2,500.00
[01/R&D/C//195] {Dr Morgan} NDepartment of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF)01-JAN-0231-DEC-04€307,774.00
[HEA CYCLE 3] {Dr J Morgan} NHigher Education authority01-JUN-0230-SEP-08€66,659.00
DAFF "Zoonotic potential of Rotaviruses: characterisation of rotavirus implicated in human ¿"Department of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF)01-APR-0631-AUG-09€65,000.00

Publications

Peer Reviewed Journals

 YearPublication
(2014)'Identification and genetic characterization of a novel picornavirus from chickens'
Bullman, S,Kearney, K,O'Mahony, M,Kelly, L,Whyte, P,Fanning, S,Morgan, JG (2014) 'Identification and genetic characterization of a novel picornavirus from chickens'. The Journal of General Virology, 95 :1094-1103 [DOI] [Details]
(2012)'The Gastrointestinal Immune System: Recognising Microbes in the Gut'
Collins, J. K., Cashman S., Morgan, J. G. and O’Sullivan, G. C. (2012) 'The Gastrointestinal Immune System: Recognising Microbes in the Gut'. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 3 [Details]
(2012)'Avian H5N1 influenza: In or out flew-enza?'
Morgan, J. G (2012) 'Avian H5N1 influenza: In or out flew-enza?'. Bio-Engineered Bugs, 3 (3):145-146 [Details]
(2009)'Transcriptional analysis of Toll-like receptors expression in M cells'
Cashman, SB,Morgan, JG; (2009) 'Transcriptional analysis of Toll-like receptors expression in M cells'. The Journal of Immunology, 47 :365-372 [DOI] [Details]
(2007)'Development of a real-time RT-PCR and Reverse Line probe Hybridisation assay for the routine detection and genotyping of Noroviruses in Ireland'
Menton, JF,Kearney, K,Morgan, JG; (2007) 'Development of a real-time RT-PCR and Reverse Line probe Hybridisation assay for the routine detection and genotyping of Noroviruses in Ireland'. Virology Journal, 4 [DOI] [Details]
(2007)'Carlow virus, a 2002 GII.4 variant Norovirus strain from Ireland'
Kearney, K., Menton, J. and Morgan, J.G. ; (2007) 'Carlow virus, a 2002 GII.4 variant Norovirus strain from Ireland'. Virology Journal, 4 :61-69 [Details]
(2006)'Role of interleukin (IL-10) in probiotic-mediated immune modulation: an assessment in wild-type and IL-10 knock-out mice'
Sheil, B., J. MacSharry, L. O Callaghan, A. O Riordan, A. Waters, J. Morgan, J. K. Collins, L. O Mahony, and F. Shanahan. (2006) 'Role of interleukin (IL-10) in probiotic-mediated immune modulation: an assessment in wild-type and IL-10 knock-out mice'. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 144 (2):273-280 [Details]
(2004)'Gene Expression Profile of Peyer's patch M Cells'
Mac Sharry, J.A. and Morgan, J.G. ; (2004) 'Gene Expression Profile of Peyer's patch M Cells'. Gut, 53 [Details]
(2003)'Transcriptional gene expression profiles of Oesophageal adenocarninoma and normal oesophageal tissues'
Hourihan, RN., O'Sullivan, GC., Morgan, JG.; (2003) 'Transcriptional gene expression profiles of Oesophageal adenocarninoma and normal oesophageal tissues'. Anti-Cancer Research, 23 (*):161-166 [Details]
(2002)'Molecular epidemiology of Norwalk-like viruses in Ireland-emerging agents of foodborne disease'
Foley, B. and Hill, C. and Morgan, J.G. (2002) 'Molecular epidemiology of Norwalk-like viruses in Ireland-emerging agents of foodborne disease'. Food Safety Assurance and Veterinary Public Health: Food safety assurance in the pre-harvest phase, 1 [Details]
(2001)'Molecular detection and sequencing of Norwalk-like viruses in outbreaks and sporadic cases of gastroenteritis in Ireland'
Foley, B,O'Mahony, J,Hill, C,Morgan, JG; (2001) 'Molecular detection and sequencing of Norwalk-like viruses in outbreaks and sporadic cases of gastroenteritis in Ireland'. Journal of Medical Virology, 65 :388-394 [Details]
(2001)'High-resolution detection of loss of heterozygosity (LOH), of dinucleotide microsatellite markers, using non-denaturing submerged gel electrophoresis'
Hourihan, R.N., O Sullivan, G.C. and Morgan, J.G. ; (2001) 'High-resolution detection of loss of heterozygosity (LOH), of dinucleotide microsatellite markers, using non-denaturing submerged gel electrophoresis'. Biotechniques, 30 (2):342-346 [Details]
(2000)'Detection of sporadic cases of Norwalk-like virus (NLV) and astrovirus infection in a single Irish hospital from 1996 to 1998'
Foley, B. and O'Mahony, J. and Morgan, S.M. and Hill, C. and Morgan, J.G. (2000) 'Detection of sporadic cases of Norwalk-like virus (NLV) and astrovirus infection in a single Irish hospital from 1996 to 1998'. Journal of clinical virology, 17 (2):109-117 [Details]
(2000)'Rotavirus survival and stability in foods as determined by an optimised plaque assay procedure'
O'Mahony, J. and O'Donoghue, M. and Morgan, J.G. and Hill, C. (2000) 'Rotavirus survival and stability in foods as determined by an optimised plaque assay procedure'. International journal of food microbiology, 61 (2-3):177-185 [Details]
(2000)'Bone Marrow Micrometastases and Gastrointestinal Cancer Detection and Significance'
Maguire, D, O¿Sullivan, G.C. Collins, J.K. Morgan, J.G. and Shanahan, F. ; (2000) 'Bone Marrow Micrometastases and Gastrointestinal Cancer Detection and Significance'. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 95 (7):1644-1651 [Details]
(2000)'Rotavirus gastroenteritis among paediatric patients at Tralee General Hospital'
O Mahony, J., Christie, G., Morgan, J.G. and Hill, C. ; (2000) 'Rotavirus gastroenteritis among paediatric patients at Tralee General Hospital'. Irish Medical Journal, 93 :272-277 [Details]
(1999)'VP4 and VP7 genotyping of rotavirus samples recovered from infected children in Ireland over a 3-year period'
O'Mahony, J. and Foley, B. and Morgan, S. and Morgan, J.G. and Hill, C. (1999) 'VP4 and VP7 genotyping of rotavirus samples recovered from infected children in Ireland over a 3-year period'. Journal of clinical microbiology, 37 (6) [Details]
(1999)'Physical Mapping of the CXC Chemokine Locus on Human Chromosome 4'
O Donovan, N., Galvin, M. and Morgan, J.G. ; (1999) 'Physical Mapping of the CXC Chemokine Locus on Human Chromosome 4'. Cytogenetics and Cell Genetics, 84 :39-42 [Details]
(1998)'Epithelial cytoprotection is part of the therapeutic effect of interleukin-10 in mucosal inflammation'
Nally, K.,Newton, F.,O'Connell, J.,Morgan, J.,O'Sullivan, G. C.,Collins, J. K.,Shanahan, F. (1998) 'Epithelial cytoprotection is part of the therapeutic effect of interleukin-10 in mucosal inflammation'. Gastroenterology, 114 (44)   [Details]
(1997)'Micromentastases: Marker of Metastatic Potential or Evidence of Residual Disease [B2261]'
O'Sullivan, G. C.; Collins, J. K.; Kelly, J.; Morgan, J. G.; Madden, M.; Shanahan, F.; (1997) 'Micromentastases: Marker of Metastatic Potential or Evidence of Residual Disease [B2261]'. Gut, 40 :512-515 [Details]
(1996)'Detection and characterization of Small Round Structured Viruses (SRSVs)'
Foley, B., O'Mahony, J., Morgan, S, Hill, C. and Morgan, J.G. ; (1996) 'Detection and characterization of Small Round Structured Viruses (SRSVs)'. Irish Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 35 [Details]
(1996)'Detection of potential cytokine gene(s) in an Alu-PCR library from human chromosome 4'
Balogh, I., Aherne, A. and Morgan, J.G.; (1996) 'Detection of potential cytokine gene(s) in an Alu-PCR library from human chromosome 4'. Acta Microbiology Immunology Hungary, 43 (1):55-65 [Details]
(1996)'Direct Selection of Expressed Sequences From a 1.2 Mb Region of Human Chromosome [B2259]'
O'Donovan, N.; Morgan, J. G.; (1996) 'Direct Selection of Expressed Sequences From a 1.2 Mb Region of Human Chromosome [B2259]'. European Journal of Human Genetics, 4.111 :12-13 [Details]
(1996)'Incidence and diversity of human Rotavirus isolates from infected children in Ireland'
O'Mahony, J., Foley, B., Morgan, S, Hill, C. and Morgan, J.G. ; (1996) 'Incidence and diversity of human Rotavirus isolates from infected children in Ireland'. Irish Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 35 [Details]
(1995)'Direct selection of expressed sequences from a 1.2 Mb region of human chromosome 4q12-13'
O'Donovan, N. and Morgan, J.G. ; (1995) 'Direct selection of expressed sequences from a 1.2 Mb region of human chromosome 4q12-13'. European Journal of Genetics, 4 [Details]
(1995)'Detection and characterization of Rotavirus in Ireland'
O'Mahony, J., Foley, B., Hill, C. and Morgan, J.G. ; (1995) 'Detection and characterization of Rotavirus in Ireland'. Irish Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 34 [Details]
(1994)'Characterisation of a Rabbit Cationic Protein (CAP 18) With Lipopolysaccharide - Inhibitory Activity [B2260]'
Hirata, M.; Shimomura, Y.; Yoshida, M.; Morgan, J. G.; Palings, I.; Wilson, D.; Yen, M. H.; Right, S. C.; Larrick, J. W.; (1994) 'Characterisation of a Rabbit Cationic Protein (CAP 18) With Lipopolysaccharide - Inhibitory Activity [B2260]'. Infection and Immunity, 62.4 :1421-1426 [Details]
(1992)'The Selective Isolation of Novel CDNAs Encoded by the Regions Surrounding the Human Interleukin 4 and 5 Genes [B5384]'
Morgan, J. G.; Dolganov, G. M.; Robbins, E. E.; Hinton, L. M.; Lovett, M.; (1992) 'The Selective Isolation of Novel CDNAs Encoded by the Regions Surrounding the Human Interleukin 4 and 5 Genes [B5384]'. Nucleic Acid Research, 2 :5173-5179 [Details]
(1992)'The isolation of coding sequences across large genomic regions by direct selection'
Lovett, M., Hinton, L. M., Dolganov, G. M. and Morgan, J. G. (1992) 'The isolation of coding sequences across large genomic regions by direct selection'. American Journal of Human Genetics, 51 (4) [Details]
(1992)'Molecular Characterisation of Rabbit CAP37, a unique Lipopolysaccharide Binding Protein'
Larrick, J. W., Morgan, J. G., Palings, I., Hirata, M., Yen, M. H. and Wright, S. C (1992) 'Molecular Characterisation of Rabbit CAP37, a unique Lipopolysaccharide Binding Protein'. Journal of cellular biochemistry. Supplement, (16) [Details]
(1991)'Complementary DNAsequence of rabbit CAP 18, a unique lipopolysaccharide binding protein'
Larrick, J. W., Morgan, J. G., Palings, I., Hirata, M. and Yen, M. H. ; (1991) 'Complementary DNAsequence of rabbit CAP 18, a unique lipopolysaccharide binding protein'. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 179 :170-175 [Details]
(1991)'Cloning of the cDNA for the serine protease homolog CAP 37 / Azurocidin, a microbicidal and chemotactic protein from human granulocytes'
Morgan, J. G., Sukienniechi, T., Periera H. A., Spitznagel, J. K., Guerra, M.E. and Larrick, J. W. ; (1991) 'Cloning of the cDNA for the serine protease homolog CAP 37 / Azurocidin, a microbicidal and chemotactic protein from human granulocytes'. Journal of Immunology, 147 :3210-3214 [Details]
(1991)'Cellular and Cytokines Networks in Tissue Immunity : CAP 37: a monocyte-specific chemotaxin released from the azurophilic granules of polymorphonuclear leukocytes'
Larrick, J. W., Periera, H. A., Spitznagel, J. K., Sukienniecki, T. and Morgan, J. G. ; (1991) 'Cellular and Cytokines Networks in Tissue Immunity : CAP 37: a monocyte-specific chemotaxin released from the azurophilic granules of polymorphonuclear leukocytes'. Wiley-Liss, Inc, :89-96 [Details]
(1991)'Human neutrophil granule cationic protein CAP37 is a specific macrophage chemotaxin that shares homology with inflammatory proteinases'
Morgan, J.G., Pereira, H.A., Sukiennichi, T., Spitznagel, J.K. and Larrick, J.W. ; (1991) 'Human neutrophil granule cationic protein CAP37 is a specific macrophage chemotaxin that shares homology with inflammatory proteinases'. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 305 :89-96 [Details]
(1990)'CAP 37, a 37 kd human neutrophil granule cationic protein shares homology with inflammatory proteinases'
Periera, H. A., Spitznagel, J. K., Pohl, J., Wilson, D. E., Morgan, J. G., Palings, I. and Larrick J. W. ; (1990) 'CAP 37, a 37 kd human neutrophil granule cationic protein shares homology with inflammatory proteinases'. Life Sciences, 46 :189-196 [Details]
(1989)'The role of HNF-1 in liver-specific gene expression'
Baumhueter, S., Courtois, G., Morgan, J. G. and Crabtree, G. R.; (1989) 'The role of HNF-1 in liver-specific gene expression'. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 557 :272-278 [Details]
(1988)'Sp1, a CAAT-binding factor, and the adenovirus major late promoter transcription factor interact with functional regions of the gamma-fibrogen promoter'
Morgan, J. G., Courtois, G., Fourel, G., Chodish, L. A., Campbell, L. A. and Crabtree, G. R. ; (1988) 'Sp1, a CAAT-binding factor, and the adenovirus major late promoter transcription factor interact with functional regions of the gamma-fibrogen promoter'. Molecular Cell Biology, 8 :2628-2637 [Details]
(1987)'Interaction of a liver-specific nuclear factor with the fibrinogen and 1-antitrypsin promoters'
Courtois, G., Morgan, J. G., Campbell, L., Fourel, G., Crabtree, G.R. and Sharp, P.A. ; (1987) 'Interaction of a liver-specific nuclear factor with the fibrinogen and 1-antitrypsin promoters'. Science, 236 :688-692 [Details]
(1987)'The adenovirus major late transcription factor activates the rat gamma fibrinogen promoter'
Chodish, L.A., Carthew, R. W., Morgan, J. G., Crabtree, G. R. and Sharp, P. A. ; (1987) 'The adenovirus major late transcription factor activates the rat gamma fibrinogen promoter'. Science, 238 :684-688 [Details]
(1987)'A 200 bp fragment at the 5' end of the IL-2 gene enhances expression from a heterologous promoter in response to signals from the T cell antigen receptor'
Durand, D. B., Bush, M. R., Morgan, J. G., Weiss, A. and Crabtree, G. R. ; (1987) 'A 200 bp fragment at the 5' end of the IL-2 gene enhances expression from a heterologous promoter in response to signals from the T cell antigen receptor'. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 165 :396-407 [Details]
(1987)'Nucleotide sequence of the gamma chain gene of rat fibrogen: conserved intronic sequences'
Morgan, J. G., Holbrook, N. J. and Crabtree, G. R. ; (1987) 'Nucleotide sequence of the gamma chain gene of rat fibrogen: conserved intronic sequences'. Nucleic Acids Research, 15 :2774-2776 [Details]
(1986)'Kinetics of inhibition of guinea pig aminopeptidases'
Morgan, J. G. and Donlon, J. D. ; (1986) 'Kinetics of inhibition of guinea pig aminopeptidases'. Biochemical Society Transactions, 14 :485-459 [Details]
(1986)'Transcriptional control of the rat fibrogen locus'
Morgan, J. G., Evans, E. and Crabtree, G. R. ; (1986) 'Transcriptional control of the rat fibrogen locus'. Journal of Cell Biochemistry, 100 [Details]
(1985)'Tyrosine 2-hydroxylation by aeromonas salmonicida'
Morgan, J. G., McGettigan, S. and Donlon, J. D. ; (1985) 'Tyrosine 2-hydroxylation by aeromonas salmonicida'. Biochemical Society Transactions, 13 :464-465 [Details]
(1985)'Purification and characterization of two aminopeptidases from guines pig small intestinal mucosa'
Morgan, J. G. and Donlon, J. D.; (1985) 'Purification and characterization of two aminopeptidases from guines pig small intestinal mucosa'. European Journal of Biochemistry, 146 :429-435 [Details]
(1981)'Isolation and partial characterization of a tripeptidase from guinea pig intestinal mucosa'
Morgan, J. G. and Donlon, J. D. ; (1981) 'Isolation and partial characterization of a tripeptidase from guinea pig intestinal mucosa'. Irish Journal of Medical Science, 150 [Details]

Book Chapters

 YearPublication
(2003)'The Genetics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease'
O’Riordan A, Mulvihill, M, Shanahan, F, and Morgan, J.G (2003) 'The Genetics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease' In: In ‘A Picture of Health – A Selection of Irish Health Research 2003. Dublin: Health Research Board. [Details]
(1991)'Human neutrophil granule cationic protein CAP 37 is a specific macrophage chemotaxin that shares homology with inflammatory proteinases'
Morgan, J. G., Periera, H. A., Sukienniecki, T., Spitznagel, J. K. and Larrick, J. W. ; (1991) 'Human neutrophil granule cationic protein CAP 37 is a specific macrophage chemotaxin that shares homology with inflammatory proteinases' In: Chemotactic Cytokines. usa: Plenum Publishing. [Details]

Professional Activities

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2003)*,
O'Riordan, A., Shanahan, F., Morgan, JG; (2003) Analysis of the Expression of Inflammatory Cytokines over time in IL 10 knockout mice. [Oral Presentation], *, Trinity College Dublin , 01-OCT-03 - 01-OCT-03. [Details]
(2003)Bionet Conference,
Menton, J., Kearney, K., Morgan, JG.; (2003) Detection, genotyping and screening of norovirus samples obtained from the South Eastern Health Board. [Oral Presentation], Bionet Conference, Galway , 01-DEC-03 - 01-DEC-03. [Details]

Employment

 EmployerPositionFrom / To
Department of Microbiology, UCC Senior Lecturer01-SEP-92 /
Genelabs, Redwood City, California, USA Scientist01-JAN-87 / 31-AUG-92
Stanford University, California, USA Post-doctoral Fellow01-JAN-85 / 31-DEC-87

Other Activities

 Description

UCC Biosafety Committee Member (2008 to present)

Director of Joint UCC/CIT honours BSc degree programme:

(1998-2001)

(2010-2012)

Deputy Director (2009 and 2013)

 

School of Microbiology Safety Representative (1994 to present)


Internal Research Funding - Exchequer (National)

Principal Investigator(s) Title Amount of grant
€ Amount to department
€ Period of Grant Funding Source

PI: Dr. John Morgan Development and evaluation of sensitive methods for the detection of human foodborne viruses (NLVs and Astrovirus) in human and animal foods and faeces. 498,006 307,774 07/02 - 12/05 FIRM (Food Institutional Research
PI: Prof. Fergal O'Gara
Co-PI: Dr. John Morgan Molecular Basis of Microbial and Host Signalling in Cystic Fibrosis 61,815 10/02 - 09/05 HEA
PRTLI 3

Co-PI
Dr. John Morgan Molecular interactions between invasive food pathogens and the intestinal mucosa 92,373 10/02 - 09/05 HEA
PRTLI 3

Co-PI: Dr. John Morgan & Dr. Martina Scallan Step-wise analysis of probiotic commensal blockade/antagonism of Rotavirus infection 512,336 2003-2008 SFI-CSET
APC (Alimentary Probiotic Centre
PI: Dr Helen O'Shea, CIT
Co-PI: Dr. John Morgan
Zoonotic potential of Rotaviruses: characterisation of rotavirus implicated in human and animal disease and detection in foodstuffs 509,000 65,000 04/06 - 03/09 FIRM

Education

 YearInstitutionQualificationSubject
1979UCG BSCMicrobiology
1983UCG PHDMicrobiology

Teaching Activities

Teaching Interests

Recent Postgraduates

 Graduation YearStudent NameInstitutionDegree TypeThesis Title
2012Fiona Kavanagh UCCPHD
2011Susan Grenham UCCPHDAnalysis of Cellular Interactions and Molecular Responses to Genotype I and Genotype II Norovirus Virus-Like
2011Siobhan Cashman UCCPHD
2008John Menton UCCPHD

Modules Taught

 Term (ID))TitleLinkSubject
2015Immunology: Host Response to Pathogens. MB3008Immunology: Host Response to Pathogens.
2015Genetic Engineering & Molecular Biotechnology MB3006Genetic Engineering & Molecular Biotechnology
2015Research Project MB4002Research Project
2015Molecular Genetics and Genomics MB3007Molecular Genetics and Genomics
2015Research Frontiers in Microbiology MB4027Research Frontiers in Microbiology
2015Virology MB3002Virology
2015Advanced Immunology MB4009Advanced Immunology
2015Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics MB4025Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics
2015Principles of Microbiology MB2006Principles of Microbiology

Contact details

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School of Microbiology

Scoil na Micribhitheolaíochta

Microbiology Office, Room FSB452, 4th Floor Food Science & Technology Building, University College Cork, Cork T12 Y337

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