Claire Kelly

I am Associate Professor in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Limerick. My research is interested in the role of inflammation in neurodegenerative disease, specifically in Huntington's and Parkinson's disease. Neuroinflammation is a core part of the pathophysiology of brain diseases and is ongoing long before disease symptoms present. It is multifaceted and complex in nature.

My background research in cell replacement therapy for these diseases involved extensive cell culture and in vivo experiments. The validity of cell replacement therapy in these patients has been shown in clinical studies. However, a question that captivates me is how neuroinflammation impacts on the survival and effectiveness of the transplanted cells. In particular, the link between peripheral inflammatory cells and the extracellular vesicles they shed, and what happens when they cross the blood brain barrier.

By delving into the contribution of these cells and particles to neuroinflammation my research aims to develop targetable therapeutic strategies that will not only reduce the level of inflammation in the CNS but also create a more permissible environment into which the transplant can be placed and thus be more successful in terms of survival and integration.

BY4201 - Foundations in Biological Science 1

BY4202 - Foundation in Biological Science 2

BY4203 - Cellular Pathways and Pathophysiology in Health and Disease

BY4301 - Integrative Physiology