We are also exploring how inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-33 and IL-36, contribute to tumorigenesis in CRC and whether targeting these cytokines could offer new therapeutic strategies. In addition, we are investigating the critical role of the human gut microbiota in CRC development, recognizing its growing influence in disease etiology. By combining cutting-edge in vitro cell and molecular biology techniques, functional genomics, human tissue biopsies, and pre-clinical cancer models, we aim to deepen our understanding of CRC biology and identify novel pathways for therapeutic intervention.
Additional Teaching Contributions As Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC), Dr Houston oversees the academic progress of postgraduate students, including 18 PhD and 11 MD candidates.
Biography
Dr. Aileen Houston is a Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Medicine, University College Cork (UCC) and a Faculty Member of the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) Research Institute. Dr. Houston has a B.Sc. (Hons) in Biomedical Science from UCC and a Ph.D. in Medicine from UCC. She was awarded a Career Development Fellowship by the Health Research Board (HRB) Ireland in 2005, and was subsequently appointed as a Research Scientist in the Department of Medicine, UCC. Her research interests focus on inflammation and cancer, in particular on tumour-derived and stromal-derived factors and their role in inflammation, tumour development and the anti-tumour response, as well as bacterial-derived factors and their role in gastrointestinal homeostasis. Such investigations are aimed at identifying potential targets for the development of anti-inflammatory reagents and anti-cancer therapies. She has also published numerous articles in journals such as Cancer Research, the Journal of Immunology and the British Journal of Cancer (H-index - 22; Google Scholar).
Research Interests
My research focuses on the intersection of inflammation and colorectal cancer (CRC), a leading cause of death and disability globally. While the immune system has the potential to mount a defense against colon tumors, evidence shows that immune responses in CRC often fail—and in some cases, even fuel tumor growth. My lab is dedicated to unraveling the complex interactions between tumor-derived factors and immune responses that drive chronic inflammation, which in turn accelerates tumor progression. Specifically, we are investigating the role of death receptor family members in intestinal diseases. While these receptors are known to trigger apoptosis in cancer cells, our research is centered on their non-apoptotic functions and their influence on the tumor microenvironment and immune system.We are also exploring how inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-33 and IL-36, contribute to tumorigenesis in CRC and whether targeting these cytokines could offer new therapeutic strategies. In addition, we are investigating the critical role of the human gut microbiota in CRC development, recognizing its growing influence in disease etiology. By combining cutting-edge in vitro cell and molecular biology techniques, functional genomics, human tissue biopsies, and pre-clinical cancer models, we aim to deepen our understanding of CRC biology and identify novel pathways for therapeutic intervention.
Research Grants
| Project | Funding Body | Start Date | End Date | Award | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developing the IL-36 receptor antagonist as a therapy for colon cancer | Health Research Board | 17-OCT-22 | 16-OCT-26 | €240,434.00 | |
| Death Receptor family members as targets for cancer therapy’ | UCC TRAP (Translational Research Access Programme) | 02-NOV-18 | 01-NOV-19 | €10,000.00 | |
| To examine whether expression of IL-36 cytokines are potential biomarkers for progression of lung cancer | UCC TRAP (Translational Research Access Programme) | 02-NOV-16 | 01-NOV-17 | €10,000.00 | |
| consumables budget from R12305 | Health Research Board | 01-OCT-12 | 04-APR-16 | €51,000.00 | |
| The role of the EP1 receptor and Fas ligand in promoting tumour growth, invasion and metastases in vivo. | Science Foundation of Ireland | 01-JAN-12 | 31-DEC-12 | €22,315.00 | |
| Fas (CD95) signaling and cancer-assciated inflammation. | Science Foundation of Ireland | 01-OCT-10 | 30-SEP-14 | €202,150.00 | |
| HRB 'Fas ligand (FasL/CD95L) Expression & Tumour Immune Evasion' | Health Research Board | 16-OCT-07 | 15-OCT-10 | €192,335.00 | |
| HRB Student Scholarship | Health Research Board | 29-JUN-20 | 21-AUG-20 | €2,400.00 | |
| Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying Fas ligand (FasL/CD95L) expression in human colon tumour cells | Health Research Board | 03-OCT-05 | 30-SEP-08 | €259,906.00 |
Publications
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2024) | 'Interplay between microbial-derived GABA and host GABA receptor signaling collectively influence the tumorigenic function of GABA in colon cancer' Keane JM;Fernandes P;Kratz F;O'Callaghan G;Gahan CGM;Joyce SA;Stanton C;Hyland NP;Houston A; (2024) 'Interplay between microbial-derived GABA and host GABA receptor signaling collectively influence the tumorigenic function of GABA in colon cancer'. Pharmacology Research & Perspectives, 12 (4) [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'Dietary-Induced Bacterial Metabolites Reduce Inflammation and Inflammation-Associated Cancer via Vitamin D Pathway' O’Mahony C.;Clooney A.;Clarke S.F.;Aguilera M.;Gavin A.;Simnica D.;Ahern M.;Fanning A.;Stanley M.;Rubio R.C.;Patterson E.;Marques T.;Wall R.;Houston A.;Mahmoud A.;Bennett M.W.;Stanton C.;Claesson M.J.;Cotter P.D.;Shanahan F.;Joyce S.A.;Melgar S. (2023) 'Dietary-Induced Bacterial Metabolites Reduce Inflammation and Inflammation-Associated Cancer via Vitamin D Pathway'. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24 (3) [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'IL-36 expression is increased in NSCLC with IL-36 stimulation of lung cancer cells promoting a pro-tumorigenic phenotype' Baker KJ;Buskiewicz E;Finucane M;Chelliah A;Burke L;Houston A;Brint E; (2023) 'IL-36 expression is increased in NSCLC with IL-36 stimulation of lung cancer cells promoting a pro-tumorigenic phenotype'. Cytokine, 165 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'Defining optimal parameters to maximize the effect of electrochemotherapy on lung cancer cells whilst preserving the integrity of immune cells' Bendix MB;Houston A;Forde PF;Brint E; (2022) 'Defining optimal parameters to maximize the effect of electrochemotherapy on lung cancer cells whilst preserving the integrity of immune cells'. Bioelectrochemistry, 148 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'Transcriptomic and functional analyses reveal a tumour-promoting role for the IL-36 receptor in colon cancer and crosstalk between IL-36 signalling and the IL-17/ IL-23 axis' Baker, KJ;Brint, E;Houston, A (2022) 'Transcriptomic and functional analyses reveal a tumour-promoting role for the IL-36 receptor in colon cancer and crosstalk between IL-36 signalling and the IL-17/ IL-23 axis'. British Journal of Cancer, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'DNA sensor associated type I Interferon signalling is increased in ulcerative colitis and induces JAK-dependent inflammatory cell death in colonic organoids' Flood, Peter; Fanning, Aine; Woznicki, Jerzy A.; Crowley, Tadhg; Christopher, Andrea; Vaccaro, Alessandra; Houston, Aileen; McSweeney, Sheila; Ross, Sarah; Hogan, Aileen; Brint, Aileen; Skowyra, Agnieszka; Bustamante, Milan; Ambrose, Monica; Moloney, Gerard M.; MacSharry, John; Hammarström, Marie-Louise; Hurley, Margot; Fitzgibbons, Christine; Quigley, Eamonn M. M.; Shanahan, Fergus; Zulquernain, Syed A.; McCarthy, Jane; Dodson, G. Steven; Dabbagh, Karim; McRae, Bradford L.; Melgar, Silvia; Nally, Ken (2022) 'DNA sensor associated type I Interferon signalling is increased in ulcerative colitis and induces JAK-dependent inflammatory cell death in colonic organoids'. American Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, [DOI] [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'IL-36 signalling enhances a pro-tumorigenic phenotype in colon cancer cells with cancer cell growth restricted by administration of the IL-36R antagonist' Baker K;O'Donnell C;Bendix M;Keogh S;Byrne J;O'Riordain M;Neary P;Houston A;Brint E; (2022) 'IL-36 signalling enhances a pro-tumorigenic phenotype in colon cancer cells with cancer cell growth restricted by administration of the IL-36R antagonist'. Oncogene, 41 (19) [DOI] [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'Investigation of the gut microbiome, bile acid composition and host immunoinflammatory response in a model of azoxymethane-induced colon cancer at discrete timepoints' Keane JM;Walsh CJ;Cronin P;Baker K;Melgar S;Cotter PD;Joyce SA;Gahan CGM;Houston A;Hyland NP; (2022) 'Investigation of the gut microbiome, bile acid composition and host immunoinflammatory response in a model of azoxymethane-induced colon cancer at discrete timepoints'. British Journal of Cancer, [DOI] [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'Electrochemotherapy and immune interactions; A boost to the system?' Bendix MB;Houston A;Forde PF;Brint E; (2022) 'Electrochemotherapy and immune interactions; A boost to the system?'. Ejso, 48 (9) [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2021) | 'IL-36 cytokines in inflammatory and malignant diseases: not the new kid on the block anymore' Byrne J;Baker K;Houston A;Brint E; (2021) 'IL-36 cytokines in inflammatory and malignant diseases: not the new kid on the block anymore'. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 78 (17-18) [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2020) | 'The COX-2 inhibitor NS398 selectively sensitizes hypoxic HeLa cells to ionising radiation by mechanisms both dependent and independent of COX-2' Anoopkumar-Dukie S.;Conere T.;Houston A.;King L.;Christie D.;McDermott C.;Allshire A. (2020) 'The COX-2 inhibitor NS398 selectively sensitizes hypoxic HeLa cells to ionising radiation by mechanisms both dependent and independent of COX-2'. Prostaglandins And Other Lipid Mediators, 148 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2019) | 'IL-1 Family Members in Cancer; Two Sides to Every Story' Baker, KJ;Houston, A;Brint, E (2019) 'IL-1 Family Members in Cancer; Two Sides to Every Story'. Frontiers In Immunology, 10 [DOI] [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2018) | 'Engagement of Fas differentially regulates the production of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and type I Interferons' Brennan K, Lyons C, Fernandes P, Doyle S, Houston A, Brint E (2018) 'Engagement of Fas differentially regulates the production of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and type I Interferons'. Febs Journal, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2018) | 'A Bifidobacterial pilus-associated protein promotes colonic epithelial proliferation' O'Connell Motherway M, Houston A, O'Callaghan G, Reunanen J, O'Brien F, O'Driscoll T, Casey PG, de Vos WM, van Sinderen D, Shanahan F (2018) 'A Bifidobacterial pilus-associated protein promotes colonic epithelial proliferation'. Molecular Microbiology, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'An antitumorigenic role for the IL-33 receptor, ST2L, in colon cancer' O'Donnell, C;Mahmoud, A;Keane, J;Murphy, C;White, D;Carey, S;O'Riordain, M;Bennett, MW;Brint, E;Houston, A (2016) 'An antitumorigenic role for the IL-33 receptor, ST2L, in colon cancer'. British Journal of Cancer, 114 :37-43 [DOI] [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'Pregnancy-specific glycoprotein expression in normal gastrointestinal tract and in tumors detected with novel monoclonal antibodies' Houston A;Williams JM;Rovis TL;Shanley DK;O'Riordan RT;Kiely PA;Ball M;Barry OP;Kelly J;Fanning A;MacSharry J;Mandelboim O;Singer BB;Jonjic S;Moore T; (2016) 'Pregnancy-specific glycoprotein expression in normal gastrointestinal tract and in tumors detected with novel monoclonal antibodies'. mAbs, 8 (3) [DOI] [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and colorectal cancer - a troublesome twosome for the anti-tumour immune response?' O’Malley, Grace; Heijltjes, Madelon; Houston, Aileen M.; Rani, Sweta; Ritter, Thomas; Egan, Laurence J.; Ryan, Aideen E. (2016) 'Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and colorectal cancer - a troublesome twosome for the anti-tumour immune response?'. Oncotarget, 7 (37):60752-60774 [DOI] [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2015) | 'Differential expression of key regulators of Toll-like receptors in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease: A role for Tollip and PPAR?' Fernandes P, MacSharry J, Darby T, Shanahan F, Houston A and Brint E (2015) 'Differential expression of key regulators of Toll-like receptors in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease: A role for Tollip and PPAR?'. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, [DOI] [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2015) | 'Prostaglandin E2 and the EP receptors in malignancy: Possible therapeutic targets?' O’Callaghan G and Houston A (2015) 'Prostaglandin E2 and the EP receptors in malignancy: Possible therapeutic targets?'. British journal of pharmacology, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2015) | 'Engagement of Fas on Macrophages Modulates Poly I:C Induced Cytokine Production with Specific Enhancement of IP-10' Lyons, C;Fernandes, P;Fanning, LJ;Houston, A;Brint, E (2015) 'Engagement of Fas on Macrophages Modulates Poly I:C Induced Cytokine Production with Specific Enhancement of IP-10'. Plos One, 10 [DOI] [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2014) | 'Selective influence of host microbiota on cAMP-mediated ion transport in mouse colon' Lomasney KW, Houston A, Shanahan F, Dinan TG, Cryan JF and Hyland NP. (2014) 'Selective influence of host microbiota on cAMP-mediated ion transport in mouse colon'. Neurogastroenterol & Motility, 26 (6):887-890 [Details] | |
| (2014) | 'Intestinal Expression of Fas and Fas Ligand Is Upregulated by Bacterial Signaling through TLR4 and TLR5, with Activation of Fas Modulating Intestinal TLR-Mediated Inflammation' Fernandes, P;O'Donnell, C;Lyons, C;Keane, J;Regan, T;O'Brien, S;Fallon, P;Brint, E;Houston, A (2014) 'Intestinal Expression of Fas and Fas Ligand Is Upregulated by Bacterial Signaling through TLR4 and TLR5, with Activation of Fas Modulating Intestinal TLR-Mediated Inflammation'. Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950), 193 :6103-6113 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'Life in the Fas lane: Differential Outcomes of Fas Signalling' Brint E, O'Callaghan G and Houston A (2013) 'Life in the Fas lane: Differential Outcomes of Fas Signalling'. Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS, [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'Identification of TLR10 as a Key Mediator of the Inflammatory Response to Listeria monocytogenes in Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Macrophages' Regan, T,Nally, K,Carmody, R,Houston, A,Shanahan, F,MacSharry, J,Brint, E (2013) 'Identification of TLR10 as a Key Mediator of the Inflammatory Response to Listeria monocytogenes in Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Macrophages'. Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950), 191 :6084-6092 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'Targeting the EP1 receptor reduces Fas ligand expression and increases the antitumor immune response in an in vivo model of colon cancer' O'Callaghan, G,Ryan, A,Neary, P,O'Mahony, C,Shanahan, F,Houston, A (2013) 'Targeting the EP1 receptor reduces Fas ligand expression and increases the antitumor immune response in an in vivo model of colon cancer'. International Journal of Cancer, 133 :825-834 [DOI] [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'Loss of p38δ mitogen-activated protein kinase expression promotes oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma proliferation, migration and anchorage-independent growth' O'Callagahan C, Fanning LJ, Houston A and Barry OP. (2013) 'Loss of p38δ mitogen-activated protein kinase expression promotes oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma proliferation, migration and anchorage-independent growth'. International Journal of Oncology, [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2011) | 'Functional genome analysis of Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 reveals type IVb tight adherence (Tad) pili as an essential and conserved host-colonization factor' O'Connell Motherway M, Zomer A, Leahy SC, Reunanen J, Bottacini F, Claesson MJ, O'Brien F, Flynn K, Casey PG, Munoz JA, Kearney B, Houston AM, O'Mahony C, Higgins DG, Shanahan F, Palva A, de Vos WM, Fitzgerald GF, Ventura M, O'Toole PW, van Sinderen D (2011) 'Functional genome analysis of Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003 reveals type IVb tight adherence (Tad) pili as an essential and conserved host-colonization factor'. Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America, 108 (27):11217-11222 [DOI] [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2008) | 'Prostaglandin E(2) stimulates Fas ligand expression via the EP1 receptor in colon cancer cells' O'Callaghan, G;Kelly, J;Shanahan, F;Houston, A (2008) 'Prostaglandin E(2) stimulates Fas ligand expression via the EP1 receptor in colon cancer cells'. British Journal of Cancer, 99 :502-512 [DOI] [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2008) | 'The Fas counterattack is not an active mode of tumor immune evasion in colorectal cancer with high-level microsatellite instability' Houston, AM;Michael-Robinson, JM;Walsh, MD;Cummings, MC;Ryan, AE;Lincoln, D;Pandeya, N;Jass, JR;Radford-Smith, GL;O'Connell, J (2008) 'The Fas counterattack is not an active mode of tumor immune evasion in colorectal cancer with high-level microsatellite instability'. Human Pathology, 39 :243-250 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2007) | 'Modulation of p21-activated kinase 1 alters the behavior of renal cell carcinoma' O'Sullivan, GC;Tangney, M;Casey, G;Ambrose, M;Houston, A;Barry, OP (2007) 'Modulation of p21-activated kinase 1 alters the behavior of renal cell carcinoma'. International Journal of Cancer, 121 :1930-1940 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2006) | 'Bcl-x(L) expression in vivo in rheumatoid synovium' Busteed, S;Bennett, MW;Molloy, C;Houston, A;Stone, MA;Shanahan, F;Molloy, MG;O'Connell, J (2006) 'Bcl-x(L) expression in vivo in rheumatoid synovium'. Clinical Rheumatology, 25 :789-793 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2006) | 'Fas ligand expression in human and mouse cancer cell lines; a caveat on over-reliance on mRNA data' Ryan A.;Lane S.;Shanahan F.;O'Connell J.;Houston A. (2006) 'Fas ligand expression in human and mouse cancer cell lines; a caveat on over-reliance on mRNA data'. Journal of Carcinogenesis, 5 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2006) | 'Fas ligand promotes tumor immune evasion of colon cancer in vivo' Ryan, AE;Shanahan, F;O'Connell, J;Houston, AM (2006) 'Fas ligand promotes tumor immune evasion of colon cancer in vivo'. Cell Cycle, 5 :246-249 [Details] | |
| (2006) | 'Fas ligand expression in human and mouse cancer cell lines; a caveat on overreliance on mRNA data' Ryan AE, Lane S, Shanahan F, O'Connell J, Houston A.; (2006) 'Fas ligand expression in human and mouse cancer cell lines; a caveat on overreliance on mRNA data'. Journal of Carcinogenesis, 5 (1):5-5 [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2005) | 'Addressing the ``Fas counterattack'' controversy: Blocking Fas ligand expression suppresses tumor immune evasion of colon cancer in vivo' Ryan, AE and Shanahan, F and O'Connell, J and Houston, AM; (2005) 'Addressing the ``Fas counterattack'' controversy: Blocking Fas ligand expression suppresses tumor immune evasion of colon cancer in vivo'. CANCER RESEARCH, 65 (21):9817-9823 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2004) | 'The Fas signalling pathway and its role in the pathogenesis of cancer' Houston A, O'Connell J; (2004) 'The Fas signalling pathway and its role in the pathogenesis of cancer'. Current Opinion In Pharmacology, 4 (4):321-326 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2003) | 'Fas ligand expressed in colon cancer is not associated with increased apoptosis of tumor cells in vivo' Houston, A;Waldron-Lynch, FD;Bennett, MW;Roche, D;O'Sullivan, GC;Shanahan, F;O'Connell, J (2003) 'Fas ligand expressed in colon cancer is not associated with increased apoptosis of tumor cells in vivo'. International Journal of Cancer, 107 :209-214 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2003) | 'Fas ligand mediates immune privilege and not inflammation in human colon cancer, irrespective of TGF-beta expression' Houston, A,Bennett, MW,O'Sullivan, GC,Shanahan, F,O'Connell, J (2003) 'Fas ligand mediates immune privilege and not inflammation in human colon cancer, irrespective of TGF-beta expression'. British Journal of Cancer, 89 :1345-1351 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2002) | 'The Fos-FasL system and colorectal tumours - Reply' Bennett, MW and O'Connell, J and Houston, A and Kelly, J and Collins, JK and Shanahan, F and O'Sullivan, GC; (2002) 'The Fos-FasL system and colorectal tumours - Reply'. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY, 55 (7):559-560 [Details] | |
| (2001) | 'Fas ligand upregulation is an early event in colonic carcinogenesis' Bennett, MW;O'Connell, J;Houston, A;Kelly, J;O'Sullivan, GC;Collins, JK;Shanahan, F (2001) 'Fas ligand upregulation is an early event in colonic carcinogenesis'. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 54 :598-604 [Details] | |
| (2001) | 'Immune privilege or inflammation? Insights into the Fas ligand enigma' O'Connell, J and Houston, A and Bennett, MW and O'Sullivan, G and Shanahan, F; (2001) 'Immune privilege or inflammation? Insights into the Fas ligand enigma'. NATURE MEDICINE, 7 (3):271-274 [Details] | |
| (2000) | 'Altered mechanisms of apoptosis in colon cancer: Fas resistance and counterattack in the tumor-immune conflict' O'Connell J, Bennett MW, Nally K, Houston A, O'Sullivan GC, Shanahan F; (2000) 'Altered mechanisms of apoptosis in colon cancer: Fas resistance and counterattack in the tumor-immune conflict'. Annals of The New York Academy of Sciences, 910 :178-11 [Details] |
Book Chapters
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2020) | 'Microbial Metabolites as Molecular Mediators of Host-Microbe Symbiosis in Colorectal Cancer' Keane J.M.;Joyce S.A.;Gahan C.G.M.;Hyland N.P.;Houston A. (2020) 'Microbial Metabolites as Molecular Mediators of Host-Microbe Symbiosis in Colorectal Cancer' In: Symbiosis: Cellular, Molecular, Medical and Evolutionary Aspects. USA: Springer. [DOI] [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2002) | 'Rapid development of a quantitative-competitive (qc) RT-PCR assay using a composite primer approach' O'Connell J., Houston A., Kelly R., O'Brien D., Ryan A., Bennett MW., Nally K.; (2002) 'Rapid development of a quantitative-competitive (qc) RT-PCR assay using a composite primer approach' In: Methods in Molecular Biology. New Jersey: Humana Press. [Details] |
Published abstracts
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2015) | Cross-Talk Between Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid and Prostaglandin E2 in Colon Carcinogenesis. O'Callaghan G, Fernandes P, Shanahan F, Hyland NP and Houston A (2015) Cross-Talk Between Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid and Prostaglandin E2 in Colon Carcinogenesis. Published abstracts [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2015) | An Anti-Tumorigenic Role for the IL-33/ST2 Axis in Colon Cancer. O'Donnell C, Mahmoud A, Bennett M, Houston A and Brint E (2015) An Anti-Tumorigenic Role for the IL-33/ST2 Axis in Colon Cancer. Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2015) | The role of PGE2 in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung inflammation and the potential association with ivacaftor therapy and treatment response. O'Callaghan G, Ronan NJ, Foley N, Lyons C, O'Driscoll A, Ni Chroinin M, Mullane D, Murphy D, Shanahan F, Eustace JA, Houston A and Plant BJ (2015) The role of PGE2 in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung inflammation and the potential association with ivacaftor therapy and treatment response. Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2014) | High fat feeding alters gut microbiota and protects mice from colitis and colitis-associated colorectal cancer. Melgar, S;O'Mahony, C;Clarke, S;Hurley, G;Gavin, A;Quinlan, A;Houston, A;Mahmoud, A;Bennett, M;Cotter, P;Shanahan, F (2014) High fat feeding alters gut microbiota and protects mice from colitis and colitis-associated colorectal cancer. HOBOKEN: Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2014) | Modulation of cystic fibrosis gut inflammation – a pivotal role of the lung gut axis?. O'Callaghan G, Ronan N, Houston A, Shanahan F and Plant B (2014) Modulation of cystic fibrosis gut inflammation – a pivotal role of the lung gut axis?. Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2014) | Role of ST2 and Its Ligand, IL-33, in Colon Cancer. O'Donnell C, Mahmoud A, Bennett MW, Shanahan F, BrintE and Houston A. (2014) Role of ST2 and Its Ligand, IL-33, in Colon Cancer. Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2014) | Upregulation of Fas Ligand Expression Promotes Colon Cancer Cell Migration and Metastasis In Vitro and In Vivo. O’Callaghan G, Reagan M, Flores L, Zhang Y, Azab A, Roccaro A, Shanahan F, Ghobrial I and Houston A. (2014) Upregulation of Fas Ligand Expression Promotes Colon Cancer Cell Migration and Metastasis In Vitro and In Vivo. Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2014) | The Relationship Between Cystic Fibrosis Epithelial Cells and Intestinal Inflammation -Evolving Mechanisms of the Lung-Gut Axis. O'Callaghan G, Houston A, Foley N, Shanahan F and Plant BJ. (2014) The Relationship Between Cystic Fibrosis Epithelial Cells and Intestinal Inflammation -Evolving Mechanisms of the Lung-Gut Axis. Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2013) | New paradigms for the modulatory actions of p38 delta MAPK restorative expression in esophageal squamous cancer cell growth, migration and response to chemotherapy: A possible future therapeutic target. O'Callaghan, C;Fanning, L;Houston, A;Barry, OP (2013) New paradigms for the modulatory actions of p38 delta MAPK restorative expression in esophageal squamous cancer cell growth, migration and response to chemotherapy: A possible future therapeutic target. PHILADELPHIA: Published abstracts [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2013) | Bacterial-derived gamma-aminobutyric acid significantly attenuates proliferation of human colon adenocarcinoma cells in vitro. Kratz F, Heuston S, London L, Ross P, Stanton C, Houston A and Hyland N (2013) Bacterial-derived gamma-aminobutyric acid significantly attenuates proliferation of human colon adenocarcinoma cells in vitro. Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2013) | Inhibition of the prostaglandin EP1 receptor suppresses colon cancer cell invasion and metastasis. O'Callaghan G, Reagan M, Flores L, Zhang Y, Roccaro A, Shanahan F, Ghobrial I and Houston A (2013) Inhibition of the prostaglandin EP1 receptor suppresses colon cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2012) | Targeting P38 delta MAPK in Oesophageal Cancer: a Possible Future Therapeutic Goal?. O'Callaghan, C;Fanning, L;Houston, A;Barry, OP (2012) Targeting P38 delta MAPK in Oesophageal Cancer: a Possible Future Therapeutic Goal?. OXFORD: Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2012) | Sensitivity of human and murine colonic tumour cell lines to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in vitro. Fernandes P, Hyland N and Houston A. (2012) Sensitivity of human and murine colonic tumour cell lines to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in vitro. Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2011) | Targeting the EP1-FasL signaling pathway reduces colon tumor cell growth in vivo. O¿Callaghan. G., Neary. P., O¿Mahony. C., Shanahan. F., Houston. A. ; (2011) Targeting the EP1-FasL signaling pathway reduces colon tumor cell growth in vivo. Gasteroenterolgy: Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2010) | Synergy Between Fas and TLR4 in Promoting Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Synthesis in Macrophages and Intestinal Epithelial Cells – Relevance to IBD. Brint, EK., O'Callaghan, G., Regan, T., Shanahan, F., Houston, A.; (2010) Synergy Between Fas and TLR4 in Promoting Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Synthesis in Macrophages and Intestinal Epithelial Cells – Relevance to IBD. Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2008) | COX-derived PGE2 modulates FasL expression via the EP1 receptor in colon cancer cells. Houston, A., O'Callaghan, G., Shanahan, F.; (2008) COX-derived PGE2 modulates FasL expression via the EP1 receptor in colon cancer cells. Gastroenterology: Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2007) | Tumor-expressed Fas ligand (FasL/CD95L) and its role in the pathogenesis of colon cancer. Ryan, A., O'Connell, J., Shanahan, F., Houston, A.; (2007) Tumor-expressed Fas ligand (FasL/CD95L) and its role in the pathogenesis of colon cancer. International Journal of Molecular Medicine: Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2007) | Regulation of Fas ligand expression in colon cancer by the cyclooxygenase signaling pathway. Houston, A., Shanahan, F.; (2007) Regulation of Fas ligand expression in colon cancer by the cyclooxygenase signaling pathway. Gastroenterology: Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2005) | Resolving the 'Fas Counterattack' controversy: Fas ligand promotes tumor immune evasion of colon cancer in vivo. Ryan, AE., Shanahan, F., O'Connell, J., Houston, AM.; (2005) Resolving the 'Fas Counterattack' controversy: Fas ligand promotes tumor immune evasion of colon cancer in vivo. Endoscopy: Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2005) | Fas Ligand promotes tumor immune evasion of colon cancer in vivo. Ryan, AE., Shanahan, F., O'Connell, J., Houston, A.; (2005) Fas Ligand promotes tumor immune evasion of colon cancer in vivo. Gastroenterology: Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2002) | Neuri-immune regulation of IL-8 production in alveolar epithelial cells: opposing effects of substance P and IFNgamma. O'Connor TM, O'Connell J, Houston AM, Goode T, Bredin CP, Shanahan F (2002) Neuri-immune regulation of IL-8 production in alveolar epithelial cells: opposing effects of substance P and IFNgamma. Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2001) | Fas Ligand expressed in colon cancer is associated with suppression of activation and IL-2 production in tumor-infiltrating T-cells. Houston, A;Bennett, MW;O'Sullivan, GC;Shanahan, F;O'Connell, J (2001) Fas Ligand expressed in colon cancer is associated with suppression of activation and IL-2 production in tumor-infiltrating T-cells. PHILADELPHIA: Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2001) | Interferon-gamma decreases interleukin-8 production in the alveolar epithelium by decreasing neurokinin-1 receptor expression. O'Connor, TM;O'Connell, J;Houston, AM;Goode, T;Shanahan, F;Bredin, CP (2001) Interferon-gamma decreases interleukin-8 production in the alveolar epithelium by decreasing neurokinin-1 receptor expression. LONDON: Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2001) | Tumor-expressed Fas ligand suppresses IL-2 production by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Houston AM, Bennett MW, O'Sullivan GC, Shanahan F, O'Connell J (2001) Tumor-expressed Fas ligand suppresses IL-2 production by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2000) | Neutrophilic infiltration does not occur in FasL-expressing human colonic carcinomas, irrespective of TGF-B1 expression. Bennett, MW;Houston, A;O'Connell, J;O'Sullivan, GC;Collins, JK;Shanahan, FL (2000) Neutrophilic infiltration does not occur in FasL-expressing human colonic carcinomas, irrespective of TGF-B1 expression. PHILADELPHIA: Published abstracts [Details] | |
| (2000) | Fas Ligand mediates immune privilege and not neutrophil recruitment in colon cancer in vivo. Houston, A;Waldron-Lynch, F;Bennett, MW;Roche, D;O'Sullivan, GC;Collins, JK;Shanahan, FL;O'Connell, J (2000) Fas Ligand mediates immune privilege and not neutrophil recruitment in colon cancer in vivo. PHILADELPHIA: Published abstracts [Details] |
Editorship
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2001) | Immune privilege or inflammation? Insights into the Fas ligand enigma. O'Connell, J;Houston, A;Bennett, MW;O'Sullivan, G;Shanahan, F (2001) Immune privilege or inflammation? Insights into the Fas ligand enigma. NEW YORK: Editorship [Details] |
Published Letters
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2002) | The Fos-FasL system and colorectal tumours - Reply. Bennett, MW;O'Connell, J;Houston, A;Kelly, J;Collins, JK;Shanahan, F;O'Sullivan, GC (2002) The Fos-FasL system and colorectal tumours - Reply. LONDON: Published Letters [Details] |
Professional Activities
Honours and Awards
| Year | Title | Awarding Body | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | St Lukes Young Investigator Award | Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland | |
| 2005 | Health Research Board Post-doctoral Research Fellowship | Health Research Board, Ireland | |
| 2001 | Travel Scholarship | Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory | |
| 2001 | Poster of Distinction | American Gastroenterology Association | |
| 2000 | Travel Scholarship | American Gastroenterology Association |
Professional Associations
| Association | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Association for Cancer Research | Member | / | |
| Irish Association of Immunology | Member | / | |
| Irish Association for Cancer Research | Member | / |
Committees
| Committee | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Departmental Graduate Studies Committee | Member | / |
Employment
| Employer | Position | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Medicine, University College Cork | Senior Research Scientist | / | |
| University College Cork | HRB Postdoctoral Research Fellow | 01-OCT-05 / 30-SEP-08 | |
| University College Cork | Postdoctoral Research Scientist | 01-OCT-03 / 30-SEP-05 |
Conference Contributions
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2024) | EACR-AACR Basic and Translational Research Conference, Finucane M, Deery A, Brint E and Houston A (2024) Microbial metabolites suppress the tumorigenic functions of IL-36 cytokines in colon cancer. [Poster Presentation], EACR-AACR Basic and Translational Research Conference, Dublin , 27-FEB-24 - 29-FEB-24. [Details] | |
| (2022) | American Association for Cancer Research, Baker K, O’Donnell C, Bendix M, Keogh S, Byrne J, O’Riordain M, Neary P, Houston A and Brint E (2022) Tumoral IL-36R signalling drives a pro-tumorigenic phenotype in CRC. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], American Association for Cancer Research, New Orleans, USA , 08-APR-22 - 13-APR-22. [Details] | |
| (2022) | Irish Association for Cancer Research, Bendix MB, Houston A, Amu S,Forde PF, and Brint E (2022) Differential responses of in vitro immune cells and tumour cells to electroporation. [Poster Presentation], Irish Association for Cancer Research, Cork . [Details] | |
| (2022) | 4th World Congress on Electroporation, Bendix MB, Houston A, Amu S,Forde PF and Brint E (2022) Differential responses of in vitro immune cells and tumour cells to electroporation. [Oral Presentation], 4th World Congress on Electroporation, Copenhagen, Denmark , 09-OCT-22 - 13-OCT-22. [Details] | |
| (2021) | Irish Association for Cancer Research, Baker KJ, Brint E, O'Mahony C, O'Donnell C, Walsh P and Houston A (2021) Investigating the role of the IL-36 cytokines in colorectal cancer. [Oral Presentation], Irish Association for Cancer Research, Virtual , 24-MAR-21 - 26-MAR-21. [Details] | |
| (2020) | Irish Association of Cancer Research, Keane JM, Walsh C, Cronin P, Melgar S, Gahan CGM, Hyland NP, Joyce SA and Houston A. (2020) Concurrent temporal changes in host immune profile, microbiota and bile acids in a chemically-induced murine model of colonic tumorigenesis. [Poster Presentation], Irish Association of Cancer Research, Galway, Ireland . [Details] | |
| (2018) | International Human Microbiome Consortium Congress, Keane JM, Walsh C, Cronin P, Melgar S, Gahan CGM, Hyland NP, Joyce SA and Houston A. (2018) Dynamic changes in the gut microbiome, bile acid composition and host immunoinflammatory response occur in a temporally discrete manner in the azoxymethane-induced mouse model of colon cancer. [Poster Presentation], International Human Microbiome Consortium Congress, Killarney . [Details] | |
| (2016) | Exploring the Microbe–Immune System Interface - Focused Meeting hosted by the Microbiology Society Irish Division and the Irish Society of Immunology (ISI), Keane JM, Peter Cronin, Joyce SA, Gahan CGM, Hyland NP, Houston A (2016) Mouse Models for the Analysis of the Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer. [Poster Presentation], Exploring the Microbe–Immune System Interface - Focused Meeting hosted by the Microbiology Society Irish Division and the Irish Society of Immunology (ISI), Dublin . [Details] | |
| (2016) | Irish Association of Cancer Research, Keane JM, Walsh C, Cronin P, Melgar S, Gahan CGM, Hyland NP, Joyce SA and Houston A. (2016) Mouse Models for the Analysis of the Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer. [Poster Presentation], Irish Association of Cancer Research, Limerick . [Details] | |
| (2016) | New Horizons in Medical Research conference, Keane JM, Walsh C, Cronin P, Melgar S, Gahan CGM, Hyland NP, Joyce SA and Houston A. (2016) Mouse Models for the Analysis of the Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer. [Poster Presentation], New Horizons in Medical Research conference, Cork . [Details] | |
| (2015) | Cell Symposium on Cancer, Inflammation and Immunity, O’Donnell C, Mahmoud A, Bennett MW, Brint E and Houston A (2015) Characterisation of the Role of ST2 and its Ligand, IL-33, in Colon Cancer. [Poster Presentation], Cell Symposium on Cancer, Inflammation and Immunity, Sitges, Spain . [Details] | |
| (2015) | Irish Association for Cancer Research, O’Donnell C, Brint E and Houston A (2015) The Potential Role of the ST2/IL-33 axis in Colon Cancer. [Poster Presentation], Irish Association for Cancer Research, Limerick . [Details] | |
| (2015) | Keystone Symposia on Mechanisms of Pro-Inflammatory Diseases, O’Donnell C, Mahmoud A, Bennett MW, Houston A and Brint E (2015) An anti-tumorigenic role for the IL-33/ST2 axis in colon cancer. [Poster Presentation], Keystone Symposia on Mechanisms of Pro-Inflammatory Diseases, California, USA . [Details] | |
| (2014) | Irish Association for Cancer Research, O’Donnell C, Mahmoud A, Bennett MW, Brint E and Houston A (2014) Investigation of the Role of ST2 and its ligand, IL-33, in Colon Cancer. [Poster Presentation], Irish Association for Cancer Research, Galway . [Details] | |
| (2014) | Irish Society of Immunology, O' Donnell C, Houston A and Brint E (2014) Characterisation of the Role of ST2/IL-33 in Colon Carcinogenesis. [Oral Presentation], Irish Society of Immunology, Galway . [Details] | |
| (2014) | EMBO Symposium- Tumour Microenvironment and Signalling, O’Donnell C, Mahmoud A, Bennett MW, Brint E and Houston A (2014) Characterisation of the Role of ST2 and its Ligand, IL-33, in Colon Cancer. [Poster Presentation], EMBO Symposium- Tumour Microenvironment and Signalling, Heidelberg, Germany . [Details] | |
| (2014) | Irish Society of Immunology, Lyons C, Moran R, Fanning L, Houston A and Brint E (2014) Double-stranded RNA-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages are modified by Fas Signalling. [Poster Presentation], Irish Society of Immunology, Dublin . [Details] | |
| (2014) | Irish Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, Fernandes P, Lyons C, Brint E and Houston A (2014) Fas modulates intestinal TLR-mediated inflammation and suppression of Fas in colon cancer cells reduces tumour growth in vivo. [Oral Presentation], Irish Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, Galway . [Details] | |
| (2014) | EMBO Symposium - Cellular signalling and cancer therapy, Fernandes P, Lyons C, Brint E and Houston A (2014) Fas modulates intestinal TLR-mediated inflammation and suppression of Fas in colon cancer cells reduces tumour growth in vivo. [Poster Presentation], EMBO Symposium - Cellular signalling and cancer therapy, Croatia . [Details] | |
| (2014) | National Cystic Fibrosis Conference, O’Callaghan G, Houston A, Ronan N, Foley N, Shanahan F and Plant BJ (2014) Investigation of the interplay of the Cystic Fibrosis lung-gut axis in the regulation of inflammation of intestinal epithelial cells. [Poster Presentation], National Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Killarney . [Details] | |
| (2013) | 104th Annual Meeting of the American-Association-for-Cancer-Research (AACR), O'Callaghan, C., Fanning, L., Houston, A. and Barry, O.P. (2013) New paradigms for the modulatory actions of p38 delta MAPK restorative expression in esophageal squamous cancer cell growth, migration and response to chemotherapy: A possibel future therapeutic target. [Poster Presentation], 104th Annual Meeting of the American-Association-for-Cancer-Research (AACR), Washington, USA . [Details] | |
| (2013) | 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, O' Callaghan, C., Fanning L, Houston A. and Barry Ó.P. (2013) New paradigms for the modulatory actions of p38 delta MAPK restorative expression in esophageal squamous cancer cell growth, migration and response to chemotherapy: A possible future therapeutic target. [Poster Presentation], 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, Washington DC . [Details] | |
| (2013) | Irish Association for Cancer Research, O'Callaghan, GP., Reagan, M., Flores, L., Zhang, Y., Roccaro, A., Shanahan, F., Ghobrial, I., Houston, AM. (2013) Suppression of the Prostaglandin EP1 Receptor reduces Colon Cancer Cell Invasion and Metastasis. [Oral Presentation], Irish Association for Cancer Research, Dublin , 27-FEB-13 - 01-MAR-13. [Details] | |
| (2013) | Irish Society of Immunology, Lyons C, Moran R, Houston A and Brint E. (2013) Fas activation augments double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-induced IP-10/CXCL-10 production. [Poster Presentation], Irish Society of Immunology, Dublin . [Details] | |
| (2013) | Irish Society of Immunology, O’Donnell C, Houston A and Brint E (2013) The Potential role of ST2 and its ligand IL-33 in colon carcinogenesis. [Poster Presentation], Irish Society of Immunology, Dublin . [Details] | |
| (2013) | ICI 2013 – 15th International Congress of Immunology, Lyons C, Moran R, Houston A and Brint E (2013) Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-induced IP-10/CXCL-10 production is augmented by Fas activation. [Poster Presentation], ICI 2013 – 15th International Congress of Immunology, Milan, Italy . [Details] | |
| (2013) | HRB Clinical Research Facility Conference, O'Callaghan G, Ryan A, Reagan M, Flores L, Azab K, Zhang Y, Neary P, Roccaro A, Shanahan F, Ghobrial I and Houston A (2013) The EP1 Receptor – a new therapeutic target in the fight against colon cancer?. [Poster Presentation], HRB Clinical Research Facility Conference, Cork , 13-JUN-13 - 13-JUN-13. [Details] | |
| (2013) | BioPIC 2013, O' Callaghan G, Reagan M, Flores L, Azab K, Zhang Y, Roccaro A, Shanahan F, Ghobrial I and Houston A (2013) Investigation of the role of the EP1 receptor in colon cancer cell homing by in vivo confocal microscopy. [Poster Presentation], BioPIC 2013, Dublin , 25-MAR-13 - 27-MAR-13. [Details] | |
| (2012) | 24th EORTC-NCI-AACR symposium on molecular targets and cancer therapeutics, O'Callaghan, C., Fanning, L., Houston, A. and Barry, O.P. (2012) Targeting p38 delta MAPK in oesophageal cancer: a possible future therapeutic goal?. [Poster Presentation], 24th EORTC-NCI-AACR symposium on molecular targets and cancer therapeutics, Dublin . [Details] | |
| (2012) | Irish Society of Immunology, Lyons, C., Moran, R., Houston, A., Brint, E. (2012) Double stranded RNA (dsRNA) requires Fas (CD95) for optimal IP-10/CXCL10 production. [Poster Presentation], Irish Society of Immunology, Dublin , 20-SEP-12 - 21-SEP-12. [Details] | |
| (2012) | Irish Society of Immunology, Fernandes, P., Brint, E., Houston, A. (2012) Fas (CD95) Signalling and Inflammation in Colon Cancer. [Oral Presentation], Irish Society of Immunology, Dublin , 20-SEP-12 - 21-SEP-12. [Details] | |
| (2012) | Keystone Symposium - Innate Immunity: Sensing the Microbes and Damage Signals, Fernandes, P; Houston, A; Brint, EK (2012) TLRs 4 and 5 upregulate Fas and FasL expression in intestinal epithelial cells resulting in increased cytokine production. [Poster Presentation], Keystone Symposium - Innate Immunity: Sensing the Microbes and Damage Signals, Colorado, USA , 04-MAR-12 - 09-MAR-12. [Details] | |
| (2012) | European Assocation of Cancer Research, O'Callaghan, G., Ryan, A., Neary, P., O'Mahony, C., Shanahan, F., Houston, A. (2012) Elucidation of the role played by the EP1 receptor in regulating FasL expression in colon cancer cells in vivo. [Poster Presentation], European Assocation of Cancer Research, Dublin , 17-SEP-12 - 19-SEP-12. [Details] | |
| (2012) | European Association for Cancer Research, Fernandes, P., Brint, E., Houston, A. (2012) Fas (CD95) signalling and inflammation in colon cancer. [Poster Presentation], European Association for Cancer Research, Dublin , 17-SEP-12 - 19-SEP-12. [Details] | |
| (2011) | Irish Assocation for Cancer Research, OCallaghan, G., Neary, P., O'Mahony, C., Shanahan, F., Houston, A. (2011) PGE2- induced FasL expression in tumours: A possible target for anti-cancer therapy?. [Poster Presentation], Irish Assocation for Cancer Research, Cork , 03-MAR-11 - 04-MAR-11. [Details] | |
| (2010) | Keystone Symposium: Innate Immunity: Mechanisms Linking with Adaptive Immunity, Houston, A., Regan, T., O'Callaghan, G., Shanahan, F., Brint, EK.; (2010) Interplay between Fas and TLR signalling- regulation of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract ?. [Poster Presentation], Keystone Symposium: Innate Immunity: Mechanisms Linking with Adaptive Immunity, Dublin , 07-JUN-10 - 12-JUN-10. [Details] | |
| (2009) | College of Medicine and Health Translational Health Research Conference, O'Callaghan, G., Houston, A.; (2009) Investigation of the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying PGE2-Induced FasL Expression. [Poster Presentation], College of Medicine and Health Translational Health Research Conference, Cork , 24-JUN-09 - 29-JUN-09. [Details] | |
| (2008) | College of Medicine and Health Research Day, O'Callaghan, G., Houston, A.; (2008) The Role of the Cyclooxygenase Pathway in FasL Expression in Colorectal Cancer. [Oral Presentation], College of Medicine and Health Research Day, Cork , 06-JUN-08 - 06-JUN-08. [Details] | |
| (2007) | Keystone Symposium: Mechanisms Linking Inflammation and Cancer, Houston, A.; (2007) Regulation of Fas ligand expression in colon cancer by the cyclooxygenase signaling pathway. [Poster Presentation], Keystone Symposium: Mechanisms Linking Inflammation and Cancer, New Mexico , 10-FEB-07 - 15-FEB-07. [Details] | |
| (2007) | 12th World Congress on Advances in Oncology and 10th International Symposium on Molecular Medicine, Houston, A.; (2007) Oral Presentation. [Invited Oral Presentation], 12th World Congress on Advances in Oncology and 10th International Symposium on Molecular Medicine, Greece , 11-OCT-07 - 13-OCT-07. [Details] | |
| (2007) | Irish Society of Gastroenterology Winter Meeting, Houston, A., O'Callaghan, G., O'Connell, J., Shanahan, F.; (2007) Involvement of COX and PGE2 in Fas ligand (FasL) expression by colon tumor cells. [Poster Presentation], Irish Society of Gastroenterology Winter Meeting, Dublin , 29-NOV-07 - 30-NOV-07. [Details] | |
| (2007) | Irish Association for Cancer Research, Houston, A.; (2007) Regulation of Fas ligand (FasL/CD95L) expression in colon cancer by the cyclooxygenase signaling pathway. [Poster Presentation], Irish Association for Cancer Research, Cork , 01-MAR-07 - 03-MAR-07. [Details] | |
| (2006) | Irish Association for Cancer research, Ryan, A., Shanahan, F., O'Connell, J., Houston, A.; (2006) Addressing the Fas Counterattack Controversy: Fas Ligand Promotes Tumor Immune Evasion Of Colon Cancer in vivo. [Poster Presentation], Irish Association for Cancer research, Galway , 03-MAR-06 - 04-MAR-06. [Details] | |
| (2005) | Irish Society of Gastroenterology, Ryan, A., Shanahan, F., O'Connell, J., Houston, A.; (2005) Resolving the Fas Counterattack Controversy: Fas ligand promotes tumour immune evasion of colon cancer in vivo. [Oral Presentation], Irish Society of Gastroenterology, Limerick , 10-JUN-05 - 10-JUN-05. [Details] |
Education
| Year | Institution | Qualification | Subject | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | University College Cork | PHD | Medicine | |
| 1998 | University College Cork | BSC (HONS) | Biomedical Science | |
| 1996 | Cork Institute of Technology | Certificate | Medical Laboratory Science |
Journal Activities
| Journal | Role | To / From | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Br. J. Cancer | Referee | - | |
| International Journal Of Cancer | Referee | - | |
| Cancer Research | Referee | - | |
| Blood | Referee | - | |
| Pharmacogenetics And Genomics | Referee | - |
Other Activities
| Description | |
|---|---|
Grant Application Reviewer for Breast Cancer Campaign, UK |
Teaching Activities
Teaching Interests
Thesis Examination and Supervision Dr Houston supervised multiple postgraduate research candidates (8 PhD and 1MD) to completion, guiding their research in areas such as the role of inflammation and cell death in tumorigenesis. She is currently supervising one PhD student.Additional Teaching Contributions As Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC), Dr Houston oversees the academic progress of postgraduate students, including 18 PhD and 11 MD candidates.
Recent Postgraduates
| Graduation Year | Student Name | Institution | Degree Type | Thesis Title | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Alan Deery | University College Cork | Msc | Investigating the ability of bacterial metabolites to modulate the effect of IL-36 cytokines on pro-tumorigenic phenotypes in colorectal cancer cells | |
| 2022 | Kevin Baker | University College Cork | PHD | Characterisation of the role of the IL-36 family of cytokines in the pathogenesis of colon cancer | |
| 2022 | Maura Bendix | University College Cork | PHD | Characterisation of the effect of electroporation and electrochemotherapy on cancer cells and immune cells in the tumour microenvironment | |
| 2019 | Jonathan Keane | University College Cork | PHD | The Microbiota and Colon Cancer Risk: Cause or Consequence? | |
| 2016 | Charlotte O' Donnell | University College Cork | PHD | Investigation of the role of Interleukin-1 family members, IL-33 and IL-36 in the pathogenesis of colon cancer. | |
| 2015 | Philana Fernandes | University College Cork | PhD | Characterisation of the role of Fas (CD95) in intestinal inflammation and cancer | |
| 2015 | Caitriona Lyons | University College Cork | PhD | Investigating the Role of Fas (CD95) Signalling in the Modification of Innate Immune-Induced Inflammation | |
| 2015 | Amr Mahmoud | University College Cork | Doctor of Medicine | Characterisation of the expression of IL-33 and ST2 in Gastrointestinal Diseases | |
| 2015 | Guru Gayatri Sivaskaran | University College Cork | MSc | Evaluation of potential cross talk between TNF R (tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily) and TLRs (toll like receptors) in the intestine | |
| 2013 | Grace O'Callaghan | University College Cork | PhD | Fas Ligand Expression and Tumour Immune Evasion: the Role of Prostaglandin E2 and the EP1 Receptor | |
| 2005 | Aideen Ryan | University College Cork | PhD | The Role of Fas Ligand in Immune Suppression and Cancer |
Research Information
Internal Collaborators
| Name | Institute | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Elizabeth Brint | University College Cork | IRELAND | |
| Dr. Silvia Melgar | University College Cork | IRELAND | |
| Dr. Mary O'Connell Motherway | University College Cork | IRELAND | |
| Dr. Cormac Gahan | University College Cork | IRELAND | |
| Dr. Tom Moore | University College Cork | IRELAND | |
| Dr. Niall Hyland | University College Cork | IRELAND | |
| Dr. Susan Joyce | University College Cork | IRELAND | |
| Dr. Ken Nally | University College Cork | IRELAND |
External Collaborators
| Name | Organisation / Institute | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Aideen Ryan | National University of Ireland, Galway | IRELAND | |
| Prof. Alexander Chervonsky | University of Chicago | U.S.A. | |
| Dr. MW Bennett | Cork University Hospital | IRELAND |