Justin Mccarthy

Professor Justin McCarthy is an Associate Professor and Investigator in the School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology. He obtained a BSc (Hons) in Science at the National University Ireland, Maynooth, in 1992. He undertook his PhD at University College Cork, where he studied the biochemistry and cell biology of apoptosis in promyelocytic leukaemia and graduated in 1996. Dr. McCarthy was a Postdoctoral Fellow under supervision of Dr. Vishva Dixit, in the Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbour (1996-1997), and Department of Molecular Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco (1997-1998) where he cloned and characterized RIP2, a novel serine/threonine protein kinase involved in the regulation of apoptosis and innate immune signalling. In 1998 he then moved to Scios Inc., a member of the Johnson and Johnson family of companies, to lead his own group in the Alzheimer's disease Research Division. In 1999 he was appointed as Project Leader where he performed and evaluated research aimed at identifying and characterising novel signalling pathways, which culminated in the discovery of novel neurodegenerative and Alzheimer's disease drug targets. In 2000 he was appointed as a Senior Scientist and Group leader, where he was responsible for the scientific management of a research group focused on the identification and characterisation of novel therapeutic targets for small molecule drug intervention in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. As a Senior Scientist (2000-2002), he also served as a member of drug discovery steering committee within a corporate collaboration with Eli Lilly & Co. involving the in vitro and in vivo characterisation of small molecule inhibitors of Alzheimer's disease. In 2002 he was appointed as Lecturer in the School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, and in 2004 he was appointed Director of Biotechnology at University College Cork. In 2010 he received a National Academy for

OverviewFor many years the main research interest of the laboratory has focus on delineating the physiological importance of the presenilin proteins in neurodegeneration. In recent years this has been extended to the study of presenilins in cancer and immune surveillance.Presenilin-mediated gamma-secretase activity was initially characterized due to its involvement in onset of Alzheimer's disease, but was subsequently found to mediate an array of physiologically important signalling events. Independent research has shown that presenilins not only interact with several proteins involved in regulating gamma-secretase activity, but also interacts with proteins centrally involved in cell survival, development and signaling events. Recently, in addition to Amyloid precursor protein (APP), several more presenilin-dependent gamma-secretase substrates have been identified indicating that presenilins have an even broader and more generic role in the regulation of cell signalling, through the regulated intramembrane proteolysis of specific type I membrane proteins. Through regulated intramembrane proteolysis, cells can relay signals from the extracellular space to their interiors through gamma-secretase-dependent proteolysis within or close to the trans-membrane domain of type-I integral membrane proteins, to generate potentially active intracellular signalling fragments. Research AreasTo provide a better understanding of presenilin-dependent functions and of regulated intramembrane proteolysis, research in our group is currently focuses on:The identification and characterization of novel presenilin-interacting proteins.The functional characterization of novel gamma-secretase substrates; Post-translational modification of presenilins.The therapeutic inhibition of gamma-secretase activity through specific targeting and modulation is currently being explored as a novel avenue for therap

Proved academic leadership in the administration and management of undergraduate and postgraduate education. Extensive experience in course management, admissions, curriculum development, delivery and examination. Experienced in use of modern education practices and technologies. Experience in education and supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students in a variety of setting and class sizes (one-to-one, small group, tutorial and lectures). Position: 2017 - 2020 Associate Dean of Graduate Studies- College of Science, Engineering & Food Science Responsible for all aspects of graduate education in the College, and ensuring that university policies and procedures are implemented rigorously. Develop strategic initiatives in graduate education in consultation with the Head of College, the Graduate Studies Committee, and the Dean of Graduate Studies. 2012 - 2020 Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry Lecture in biochemistry to undergraduate medical students in integrated curriculum (physiology, biochemistry and anatomy). Lecture in genetic engineering to postgraduate biotechnology students. Supervised undergraduate (Biochemistry, Biomedical Science and Genetics) and Postgraduate research students. 2003 -2015 Director, Biotechnology Graduate Program Responsible for programme administration, management and curriculum development 2002 -2012 Lecturer in Biochemistry Lecture in Biochemistry to undergraduate science, medicine and dentistry students. Lecture in Genetic Engineering and Molecular Cell Biology to postgraduate biotechnology students. 2003 - Mentor, BSc undergraduate & MSc Biotechnology students Teaching and Education Activities: Courses 2008-2015 Undergraduate Medical Biochemistry Fundamentals in Cardiovascular and R