Research Programmes

Held annually, the Eithne Walls Research Meeting provides a forum for trainee doctors to present their research and clinical study work to their peers. The meeting is held in memory of Dr. Eithne Walls, a Senior House Officer of Ophthalmology in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Foundation who was a passenger on the ill-fated flight A447 that disappeared over the Atlantic on 1^st June 2009.

The meeting is an opportunity for trainee doctors to present their work to their peers and enhance their experience in undertaking clinical learning and research, crucial to continuing our work to advance education and development.

Young doctors who have taken part in the Eithne Walls Research Meeting have gone on to be part of crucial research projects bringing us closer to developing new treatments for conditions that cause blindness and deafness and broadening our understanding of how to treat and prevent eye and ear disease.

The Research Foundation offers trainees who participate the opportunity to win 1 of 3 awards for the best presentation:

• Ophthalmology: The Eithne Walls Medal
• Otolaryngology: The Aongus Curran Medal
• Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology & Anaesthetics: The Research Foundation Clinical Prize for Clinical Achievement

The Aongus Curran Medal commemorates our colleague Professor Aongus Curran, the eminent ENT Surgeon and Professor of Otorhinolaryngology who passed away suddenly in August 2016.

We are delighted to share this insight into the research being carried out by Dr. Emily Greenan, supported by the Research Foundation.

We believe research is the key to creating real change and improvements in peoples lives – by understanding the cause, we can prevent and ultimately cure.

Dr. Greenan researches Dry Eye Disease which affects between 5% and 50% percent of the world’s population. In particular, Dr. Greenan’s research focuses on Primary Sjogren’s Syndrome, a condition which causes dry eyes and mouth.

We hope you will enjoy this video and if you have any questions or would like to support or know more about our research, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Watch Now – Dry Eye Disease and Micro RNA, Dr. Emily Greenan 

Genetics is the study of genes and heredity. As our understanding of genetics and hereditary conditions develops, the potential for preventative treatments is exponentially expanded and catapults us to a new level of perception on how and why conditions are passed on through families.

The Research Foundation has a long standing interest in inherited retinal degenerations since its inception. The Foundation is the premier centre in Ireland for the clinical characterisation of patients with a variety of inherited diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa(RP), Choroideraemia, Stargardts Disease and X-Linked Retinoschisis, amongst many others. Patients are referred from Ophthalmology units throughout the country for these highly specialised investigations.

At present, patients with inherited retinal degenerations face inexorable loss of vision, in many cases resulting in total blindness. However, as a result of the molecular genetic advances with which the Foundation has been intimately involved, realistic prospects now exist to give hope that treatments will become available in the foreseeable future. At the Foundation, we aim to continue to be at the forefront of research which will eventually result in the development of sight-saving treatments for these patients. The Foundation has collaborated closely with the Ocular Genetics Unit at Trinity College Dublin for Three decades in the genetic characterisation of patients attending the Foundation. This collaboration has resulted in the identification of novel disease causing genes responsible for some of these inherited retinopathies.

Amongst the pioneering discoveries resulting from this collaboration were the identification of Rhodopsin, the first disease associated gene ever identified in any form of RP and now known to be the most frequent case of autosomal dominant forms of RP, the first reporting of a mutation in the Peripherin/RDS gene in a form of autosomal dominant ROP, the first implication of the mitochondrial second serine transfer RNA gene (MTTS2) in patients with RP and hearing loss, and the first documentation of a dominantly acting mutation in the RPE65 gene in a late onset form of RP. None of these discoveries would have been possible without the generous cooperation of patients ascertained and clinically investigated at the Foundation.

Researchers at the Foundation continue this effort with the goal of achieving the core aim of the Foundation, namely, ‘development of new treatments for eye and eye conditions which will ‘eliminate hearing and sight loss’.

Projects

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration is one of the most common causes of visual impairment in the Irish population. Although many risk factors for the condition have been identified, recent research has highlighted the significance of genetic factors in increasing the risk of an individual developing this disease. A large-scale study into the genetics of AMD is presently underway at the Foundation to characterise the importance of genetic risk factors in the Irish AMD population.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP)ADRP with Choroidal Involvement associated with Asp477gly Mutation within the Rpe65 Gene

In a collaborative research effort between the Research Foundation at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital and the Ocular Genetics Unit at Trinity College Dublin investigators identified a new gene responsible for a form of autosomal dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa. The results were published in October 2011. Linkage testing using Affymetrix 6.0 SNP Arrays mapped the disease locus in TCD-G, an Irish family with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) ascertained and clinically characterized at the Foundation to an 8.8 Mb region on 1p31. Candidate gene and exome sequencing resulted in the identification of an Asp477Gly mutation in exon 13 of the RPE65 gene tracking with the disease in TCD-G. The Asp477Gly mutation was not present in Irish controls, but was found in a second Irish family identified at the Foundation, provisionally diagnosed with Choroideraemia, but in whom no Choroideraemia gene mutation had been found. Mutations in RPE65 are a known cause of recessive Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and recessive RP, but no dominant mutations have been reported. This important paper (A dominant mutation in RPE65 identified by whole-exome sequencing causes retinitis pigmentosa with choroidal involvement. Bowne SJ, Humphries MM, Sullivan LS, Kenna PF, et. al. Eur J Hum Genet. 2011 Oct;19(10):1074-81. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2011.86. Epub 2011 Jun 8) documented for the first time a dominantly acting mutation in this gene in 2 families with a clinical picture somewhat reminiscent of Choroideraemia. Approximately 20% of patients with a diagnosis of Choroideraemia do not have mutations in the X-linked gene for Choroideraemia. It is likely that mutations in RPE65 may be responsible for the disease in these patients.

Gene therapy for LCA patients with RPE65 mutations has shown great promise, raising the possibility of related therapies for dominant-acting mutations in this gene.

Registry of Irish Patients with Leber Congenital Amaurosis and Early Onset Severe Retinal DystrophyWellcome Trust – HRB Centre for Clinical Research, Molecular Medicine Ireland, P. Kenna (RVEEH) , M. Cahill (RVEEH), D. Keegan (MMH), I. Flitcroft (MMH).This collaborative research co-ordinated by Mr. P. Kenna of the Research Foundation at the Eye and Ear Hospital and Mr. David Keegan of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital aims to identify Irish patients with Leber Congenital Amaurosis or Early Onset Severe Retinal Dystrophy (EOSRD), conditions in which gene mutations in the RPE65 gene have been identified. The aim is to document the incidence of these rare inherited disorders in the Irish population and to identify those individuals who might benefit from the encouraging results of the on-going clinical trials of gene therapy in these conditions.

Genetic Characterisation of a population of Irish Retinal degeneration patientsThe study, funded by the Health Research Board of Ireland aims to analyse the DNA of a cohort of Irish patients with a variety of inherited retinal degenerations using next generation gene sequencing technology. This is a collaborative effort between Mr. P. Kenna of the Research Foundation, The Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital and Prof. G. Jane Farrar at the Genetics Department, Trinity College Dublin.

As a result of this work a Phase 1b trial of an orally delivered 9-cis retinal analogue involving Irish patients with this condition and sponsored by QLT Inc. of Canada has just commenced. This is the first gene-informed treatment trial for any form of autosomal dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa and further highlights the importance of the long-standing work of the Foundation in this area.

Patients with a variety of inherited retinal degenerations who have been clinically characterised at the Foundation have been recruited over the past 2 years into a research project funded by the Health Research Board for next generation genome sequencing. This ambitious project will hopefully result in the identification of disease-associated gene mutations in these patients. While the study is designed to give a picture of the spectrum of genes causing inherited retinopathies in a cohort of Irish patients the results will be of value to the participants and allow them to consider participating in future gene-based treatment trials. Undoubtedly, over the next 5 to 10 years, as a result of the progress in elucidating the genetic basis of many of these currently untreatable disorders, treatment options are likely to become available. The Foundation is proud of its contribution over many years to this pioneering work.

Mr. Eoin Hanney, an Irish clinical genetics student at the University of Wales, is conducting a survey of patients attending the Foundation with Retinitis Pigmentosa into their experiences and attitudes to genetic testing. This important study will hopefully influence the development of future genetic testing services in Ireland. This is undoubtedly going to become a major clinical need for Irish patients as more treatment options, many based on knowledge of the disease causing gene, become available.

The Retina is the thin layer of cells lining the back of the eye. These cells are light sensitive, sensing light as it hits the eye. The retina sends signals via the optic nerve to the brain, resulting in visual images.

There are multiple conditions of the retina consequently, research is accordingly diverse.

The Research Foundation has participated as the primary site for a number of important clinical trials. Amongst these has been the study of treatments for retinal vein occlusion – the blockage of the small veins of the retina. Retinal vein occlusion and pressure can cause blurred vision or even sudden permanent blindness according to levels of severity. The Research Foundation has investigated the use of anti-VEGF intravitreal injections for the treatment of retinal diseases. The use of this therapy has been found to be effective in treating symptoms of age related wet macular degeneration, diabetic macular oedema as well as retinal vein occlusions.

Projects

1. Objective three-steps grading of digital fundus photographs of diabetic retinopathy This project is using objective three-step grading of fundus photographs of patients with diabetic retinopathy. 450 hospital-based patients have been screened to date. The three-step process increases the quality of the grading of the screening program. A quality component has been the use of OCT to detect diabetic macular oedema. This project will be expanded in 2012 to include 2 primary practices located in Ranelagh and Churchtown. It is hoped that some of the lessons learned from this programme would be adapted by the proposed National Screening Programme which is scheduled to start by the HSE towards the end of 2012.
2. RETAIN Study This is a phase 3 clinical trial investigating the use of Ranibizumab (anti-VEGF medication) for the treatment of macular oedema. The Research Foundation is the principal investigating site for the study. The project started in January 2011 and will continue until January 2013. 5 patients have enrolled in the study which requires monthly visits and extensive investigation of each patient.
3. BRIGHTER Study This is a phase 3 clinical trial examining the use of Ranibizumab in the treatment of macular oedema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion. The Research Foundation will be the principal investigator on site for this trial in Ireland. It is proposed that recruitment for the study will commence in August 2012.
4. CRYSTAL Study This is a phase 3 clinical trial examining the use of Ranibizumab in the treatment of macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion. The Research Foundation will be the principal investigator on site for this trial in Ireland. It is proposed that recruitment for the study will commence in August 2012.

Collaboration between the Pathology and Oncology services at the Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital and Dublin City University looks at potential prognostic biomarkers in eye cancer. The pathology and ocular oncology units at Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital are also working closely with the National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology NICBI on a Research Foundation supported research programme in identifying specific proteins in patients with
eye melanoma that help to predict the spread of cancer outside the eye, with the aim of improving long term patient survival.

Continuing developments in this important area of research are extremely impactful – influencing and informing our management and treatment of these conditions.

Projects

Uveal Melanoma in Ireland

Caroline Baily, Valerie O’Neill, Mary Dunne, Moya Cunningham, Giuseppe Gullo, Susan Kennedy,Paul M. Walsh, Sandra Deady, Noel Horgan

Proteomic analysis of tumours and vitreous fluid from uveal melanoma

P.Ramasamy (MD Study), Prof C.Murphy, Mr N.Horgan, Dr P.Meleady, M.Clynes

Establishment of a database and tissue microarray bank of 500 archived uveal melanoma tumours

funded by SFI grant to the consortium Molecular Therapeutics for Cancer, in association with Paul Moriarty and Mr Noel Horgan. In collaboration with Professor Clynes’s Research Group (DCU) and with Professor Beatty’s Group (WTI), Mr Moriarty and Mr Horgan are conducting a study of uveal melanoma proteomics funded by the Research Foundation and donation from Professor Beatty.

A collaboration with Dr Brian Hennessey, RCSI on molecular sequencing of head and neck tumours

funded by SFI grant to the consortium Molecular Therapeutics for Cancer.

The cornea is the clear window at the front of the eye. It forms a protective layer and has an important function in focusing vision and allowing light enter the eye. Ocular Immunology is the study of how the eyes immunity processes and mechanisms contribute to disease and how they can be manipulated to prevent and fight disease. 

The Research Foundation supports long term collaboration between the ocular inflammation/cornea service of the Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital, the National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology (NICB) at Dublin City University, the Department of Immunology at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and the Department of Rheumatology at St Vincent’s University Hospital. This collaboration brings together clinical and scientific skills from a range of disciplines that are helping to improve our understanding of a number of inflammatory eye conditions and corneal diseases. The wide ranging research in these areas of specialty continues to significantly advance our scientific and clinical knowledge – benefiting professionals, and patients.

Projects & Studies

Herpes simplex keratitis research

Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) represents the single most important inflammatory disease of the cornea with respect to its impact on vision and health related quality of life. It is characterised by repeated episodes of inflammation in the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye, which leads to corneal scarring and, in many cases, loss of vision. It is caused by the common cold sore virus, known as Herpes Simplex Virus type 1. Our research into this condition aims to improve our understanding of how the herpes virus interacts with our immune system, particularly our innate immunity which is our first line of defense. By improving our understanding of this interaction, we hope to identify new targets for treatments of this disease and improve the outlook for sufferers of HSK.

1. Evasion of the innate immune response by herpes simplex virus in the cornea: molecular mechanisms mediating interferon down regulation and virus survival
2. Effect of corneal Herpes Simplex Virus-1 infection on Toll-Like Receptor expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Investigators: Conor Murphy, David Shahnazaryan, Ciaran de Chaumont, Con Malone, Joan Ni Gabhann and Caroline Jefferies.

Affiliations: Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

1. Improving outcomes in giant cell arteritis through clinical collaboration
2. Increasing diagnostic accuracy in GCA through imaging
3. Blood Vessel Instability and Oxidative Damage in Giant Cell Arteritis
4. Investigating pro-inflammatory mechanisms of GCA using an ex-vivo temporal artery culture model

Investigators: Conor Murphy, Eamonn Molloy, Ursula Fearon, Douglas Veale, Geraldine McCarthy, Lorraine O’Neill and Jim Meaney.

Affiliations: Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Royal College of Surgeons In Ireland, St Vincent’s University Hospital, University College Dublin, St James’ Hospital and the Mater Misericordiae Hospital.

Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome Research

Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease that destroys the specialised secretary glands that produce saliva and tears, causing dry eyes and dry mouth as well as generalized symptoms of aches, pains and lethargy. There is currently no cure for pSS and the exact cause is unknown. In this study we are expanding our understanding of this disease at a molecular level by investigating the role of toll-like receptors on blood cells from patients with pSS, as well as minor salivary gland biopsies (when taken for diagnostic purposes), tear samples and ocular surface washings. This study is being funded jointly by the Health Research Board (HRB) and the RVEEH Research Foundation.

Profiling Toll-like receptor responses in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Investigators: Conor Murphy, Caroline Jefferies, Con Timon, Eamonn Molloy, Joan Ni Gabhann.

Affiliations: Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, St Vincent’s University Hospital and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

Anterior uveitis and spondylarthropathy researchAcute anterior uveitis (AAU) is characterised by the acute onset of inflammation in the front compartment of the eye, leading to pain, light sensitivity and blurred vision. It is a common reason for presentation to ophthalmic emergency departments. In approximately half of cases there is an identifiable systemic disease, most commonly the seronegative spondyolarthropathies (SpA). This is a group of inflammatory joint diseases that predominantly affect the spine but have many other manifestations including skin and bowel problems.

This collaboration with St. Vincent’s Unversity Hospital Department of Rheumatology has led to the development of an assessment algorithm called the Dublin Uveitis Evaluation Tool (DUET) that enables the earlier recognition of SpA. With early detection come early and more effective treatment and disease control, and hence better quality of life. Our laboratory studies on the causative mechanisms of AAU are also providing us with some fascinating insights into the disease.

Projects

1. Validation of the Dublin Uveitis Evaluation Tool (DUET), a new algorithm for the detection of undiagnosed spondylarthropathies in patients presenting with acute anterior uveitis in a primary care ophthalmology setting.
2. To investigate the role of regulatory microRNA and dendritic cell function in the pathogenesis of acute anterior uveitis
3. Prospective evaluation of vision and health-related quality of life in patients with acute anterior uveitis.
4. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell activation status and functional characteristics in patients with acute anterior uveitis.

Investigators: Conor Murphy, Micheal O’Rourke, Pathma Ramasamy, Muhammad Haroon, Mary Connolly, Douglas Veale, Ursula Fearon, and Oliver Fitzgerald.

Affiliations: Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Royal College of Surgeons In Ireland, St Vincent’s University Hospital, and University College Dublin

Genetic analysis of patients with congenital hereditary endothelial corneal dystrophy (CHED)CHED is a very rare inherited disease that manifests early in life with clouding of the front window of the eye, the cornea, as well as poor vision and nystagmus (wobbly eyes). It typically presents between the age of 2 and 5 years and causes lifelong bilateral blindness. In previous work, Dr Collette Hand, Lecturer in Genetics at UCC, located the abnormal gene causing CHED to chromosome 20. Since then, the affected gene has been identified and called SCL4A11. A large number of mutations in this gene have been described in different populations. In this study, we wish to identify the nature of the mutation in the SCL4A11 gene in a large Irish family with the condition.

Investigators: Conor Murphy, Mairide McGuire, Collette Hand.

Affiliations: Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Royal College of Surgeons In Ireland, and the Department of Molecular Genetics, University College Cork.

Corneal Tissue Engineering Research

Projects

1. Gene expression profile of cultured limbal-cornea epithelial stem cells and cultured limbal fibroblast cells
2. The role of cell culture set up in the growth of cultured limbal-cornea epithelial stem cells.

Investigators: William Power, Conor Murphy, Martin Clynes, Finbarr O’Sullivan & Clare Gallagher

Affiliations: Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Royal College of Surgeons In Ireland

Amin M, Ali R, Kennedy S, Timon C. Ear Nose Throat J (2012) Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the nose and paranasal sinuses masquerading as a malignancy, 91 (5): E1-3

Browne B.C, Eustace A.J, Kennedy S, O’Brien N.A, Pedersen K, McDermott M.S.J. Larkin A.S.M, Ballott J, Mahgoub T, Sclafani F, Madden S, Kennedy J, Duffy M.J, Crown J, O’Donovan N, (2012) Evaluation of IGF1R and phosphorylated IGF1R as targets in HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines and tumours, Breast Can Res Treat, 136(3):717-27

Chadderton N, Palfi A, Millington-Ward S, Gobbo O, Overlack N, Carrigan M, O’Reilly M, Campbell M, Ehrhardt C, Wolfrum U, Humphries P, Kenna P.F, Farrar, G.F. (2012) Intravitreal delivery of AAV-NDI1 provides functional benefit in a murine model of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. Eur J Hum Genet. 2012 Jun 6. doi:10.1038/ejhg.2012.112. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 22669418.

Doyle SL, Campbell M, Ozaki E, Salomon RG, Mori A, Kenna P.F, Farrar G.J, Kiang A.S, Humphries M.M, Lavelle E.C, O’Neill L.A, Hollyfield J.G, Humphries P (2012) NLRP3 has aprotective role in age-related macular degeneration through the induction of IL-18 by drusen components. Nat Med. 2012 May;18(5):791-8. PubMed PMID: 22484808.

Germano S, Kennedy S, Rani S, Gleeson G, Clynes M, Doolan P, McDonnell S, Hughes L, Crown J, O’Driscoll L, (2012) MAGE-D4B is a novel marker of poor prognosis and potential therapeutic target involved in breast cancer tumorigenesis, Int J Cancer, May 1;130(9):1991-2002, doi: 10.1002/ijc.26200.

Gleeson M, O’Marcaigh A, Cotter M, Brosnahan D, Vulliamy T, Smith OP (2012) Retinal vasculopathy in autosomal dominant dyskeratosis congenita due to TINF2 mutation, British Journal of Haematology 2012

Hanrahan F, Campbell M, Nguyen A.T, Suzuki M, Kiang A.S, Tam L.C, Gobbo O.L,
Dhubhghaill S.N, Humphries M.M, Kenna P.F, Humphries P. (2012) On further development of barrier modulation as a technique for systemic ocular drug delivery. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2012;723:155-9. Review. PubMed PMID: 22183328.

Humphries MM, Kenna PF, Campbell M, Tam LC, Nguyen AT, Farrar GJ, Botto M,
Kiang AS, Humphries P (2012) C1q enhances cone photoreceptor survival in a mouse model of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. Eur J Hum Genet. Jan;20(1):64-8. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2011.151. Epub 2011 Aug 24. PubMed PMID:21863053; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3234518.

Kumar D, O’Hare B, Timon, C, Mukhtar M, Kelly D (2012) Bilateral pneumothoraces and pulmonary oedema following tracheonstomy induced by acute tracheal obstruction, BMJ Case Reports 2012; 10.1136/bcr-2012-006557,

Linge A, Kennedy S, O’Flynn D, Beatty S, Moriarty P, Henry M, Clynes M, Larkin A, Meleady P, (2012) Differential expression of fourteen proteins between uveal melanoma from patients who subsequently developed distant metastases versus those who did not, Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 9;53(8):4634-43

McAnena L, Murphy C.C, O’Connor J (2012) Tarantula keratitis: a case report. Ir J Med Science Dec 5 2012.

Nguyen A.T, Campbell M, Kenna P.F, Kiang A.S, Tam L, Humphries M.M, Humphries P (2012) Calpain and photoreceptor apoptosis. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2012;723:547-52. Review.PubMed PMID: 22183376

Palfi A, Chadderton N, McKee A.G, Blanco Fernandez A, Humphries P, Kenna P.F, Farrar G.J. (2012) Efficacy of codelivery of dual AAV2/5 vectors in the murine retina and hippocampus. Hum Gene Ther. 2012 Aug ;23(8):847-58. doi: 10.1089/hum.2011.142. Epub 2012 Jul 20. PubMed PMID: 22545762.

Tam LC, Kiang AS, Campbell M, Keaney J, Farrar G.J, Humphries M.M, Kenna P.F,
Humphries P (2012) Protein misfolding and potential therapeutic treatments in inherited retinopathies. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2012;723:567-72. Review. PubMed PMID: 22183379.

Submitted for publication:

Power W, (2012) The role of cell culture set up in the growth of cultured limbal-cornea epithelial stem cells. Target journal – Experimental Eye Research

Power W, (2012) Gene expression profile of cultured limbal-cornea epithelial stem cells and cultured limbal fibroblast cells, Target journal – Molecular Vision

Chan T, De Chaumont C, Jefferies C.J, Ni Gabhann J, Murphy C.C (2012) Investigating the impact of HSK on TLR and IFN signaling in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, RAMI Winter Meeting 2012.

Chan T, De Chaumont C, Jefferies C.J, Ni Gabhann J, Murphy C.C (2012) Investigating the impact of HSK on TLR and IFN signaling in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, RCSI Annual Research Day 2012.

De Chaumont.C, Tyson C, Shahnazaryan D, Malone C, NiGabhann J, Jefferies C.J1, Murphy C.C (2012) Investigating the effect of corneal Herpes Simplex Virus-1 infection on Toll-Like Receptor expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, RCSI Annual Research Day, 2012.

Haroon M, Ramasamy P, O’Rourke M, Murphy C.C, FitzGerald O (2012) Uveitis and Spondyloarthroptahy, SpondyloArthritis Knowledge and Learning (SpArKLe) meeting 18th October 2012. [Education in Spondyloarthritis designed for the Rheumatology community in Ireland].

Haroon M, Ramasamy P, O’Rourke M, Murphy C.C, FitzGerald O, (2012) Uveitis and SpA. SpondyloArthritis Knowledge and Learning (SpArKLe) meeting 28th September 2012 [Education in SpA designed for Allied health rheumatology professionals].

Kennedy, S (2012) Proteomics of Uveal Melanoma, International Association of Pathology Capetown, South Africa, September 2012

Kennedy, S (2012) Cilary body teratoid medulloepithelioma occurring in an adult, International Academy of Pathology, Capetown, South Africa, September 2012

Kennedy, S (2012) Keratoconus treated by microwave therapy, British Academy of Ophthalmic Pathology, 29-30th March 2012, Sheffield, UK

Malone C, Shahnazaryan D, Conlon R, Anyiam A, Smith S, Ní Gabhann J, Murphy C.C, Jefferies, C.J (2012) Targeting Toll-Like Receptor Pathways in Herpes Simplex Keratitis, Irish College of Ophthalmologists Annual Conference, 2012.

Molloy D, Connolly M, McCormick, Haroon M, Veale D.J, Murphy C.C, Molloy E.E, Fearon U (2012) Acute serum amyloid A and TLR2 acitvation induces pro-inflamatory mechanisms in a novel ex-vivo temporal artery explants culture model of giant cell arteritis. European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2012.

Molloy D, Connolly M, McCormick J, Haroon M, Veale D, Murphy C.C, Fearon U, Molloy E (2012) Blood Vessel Instability and Oxidative Damage in Giant Cell Arteritis. American College of Rheumatology 2012.

O’Rourke M, Connolly M, Fearon U, Murphy C.C (2012) Molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of acute anterior uveitis, Rheumatology-Ophthalmology meeting, RVEEH, Oct 2012.

O’Rourke M, Haroon M, FitzGerald O, Murphy C.C (2012) Acute anterior uveitis: an opportunity for earlier diagnosis in spondyloarthropathy. M RAMI Winter meeting, Dublin. December 2012.

O’Rourke M, O’Connor J, Kennedy S, Murphy C.C (2012) A description of the pathological features of corneal specimens of patients requiring tectonic penetrating keratoplasty for rheumatoid melt, Irish College of Ophthalmologists Annual Conference 2012.

O’Rourke M, O’Connor J, Murphy C.C, Kennedy S (2012) Pathological findings in rheumatoid corneal melt. EU Cornea, Milan 2012.

O’Sullivan, F (2012) PDA/IMB ESOF 2012 Satellite Conference. Making Gene & Cell Therapy Medicines a Reality. Repairing the Window of The Eye. July 10-11, 2012 Dublin, Ireland.

O’Sullivan, F (2012) The 2012 Ireland-Taiwan Symposium on Cancer and Stem Cell Biology. Corneal stem cells for transplant therapy. September 20th, 2012 Dublin, Ireland.

Ramasamy P, HenrM, Linge A, Horgan N, Murphy C.C, Clynes M, Kennedy S, Meleady P, (2012) Proteomics of Uveal Melanoma, Biotechnology in Action, National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, 2012.

Ramasamy P, HenrM, Linge A, Horgan N, Murphy C.C, Clynes M, Kennedy S, Meleady P, (2012) Proteomics of Uveal Melanoma, European Vision and Eye Research (EVER) Conference 2012.

Ramasamy P, Henr M, Linge A, Horgan N, Murphy C.C, Clynes M, Kennedy S, Meleady P, (2012) Proteomics of Uveal Melanoma, Irish College of Ophthalmologists Annual Conference 2012 (Winner best presentation award).

Shahnazaryan D, Jefferies CJ, Murphy CC (2012) The role of viral regulatory protein ICPO in herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) keratitis, Irish College of Ophthalmologists Annual Conference, Dublin, Ireland 2012.

Treacy M.P, Treacy M.G, Dimitrov B.D, Seager F.E, Stamp M.A, Murphy C.C (2012) A method for prescription of inexpensive spectacles by non-specialist healthcare workers: S-Glasses. Irish College of Ophthalmologists Annual Conference 2012.