Seán O’Halloran

Background: BSc. (Hons) Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, DCU

Research Project: Photoswitchable Biomaterials for Personalised Gene Therapy (Photo-Gene).

This project, funded by CÚRAM Medical Devices, aims for the development of biocompatible medical device coatings. The coatings aim is to reduce inflammation, both acute and chronic by the targeting of iron and copper ions. While copper and iron are used extensively in vivo as metalloproteins, responsible for transport and detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS), their free ion forms can catalyse the formation of ROS and cause acute tissue toxicity. This will be achieved using a Nanoscribe Photonic Professional Gt 3D Laser Lithography System, to achieve sub micro-meter resolution of a novel surface, azide modified and capable of “Click” chemistry for the coupling of designer chelating ligands. These ligands will be specific to iron (II/III) and copper (II/I) and once coordinated to a metal ion, will act as Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) catalysts.

Funding body: CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices – SFI

Research Gate Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sean_Ohalloran3