Funded Research

Funded Research, 1990 - 2007

Research Projects 2005 - 2007

Title: Treatment of demyelinating disease by transient gene therapy using cytokine expressing Semliki Forest virus vectors.
Researchers: Atkins, G.J. and Sheehan, B.J.
Duration: 3 years

Title: Endoplasmic reticulum stress as a component of oligodendrocyte degeneration during MS.
Researchers: Conducted by Fitzgerald, McQuaid, Mahon
Duration: 3 years

Title: Fine mapping and assessment of candidate genes for MS suceptibility including 20 loci from the GAMES study and genes for neuropeptides and their receptors. 
Researchers: Graham, Vandenbroeck, Hawkins and Hutchinson
Duration: 3 years

Title: Prevalance study of MS in Southwest Ireland
Researchers: Conducted by Dr Jennifer Spencer and Dr Brian Sweeney
Duration: 1 year

Research Projects 1990 - 2005

Project: Neuropsychological Correlates of Chronic Pain in Multiple Sclerosis
Researcher: Dr. Michael Hutchinson, 1990
Duration: One year project 
Contact: Dr. Michael Hutchinson, Consultant Neurologist, St Vincents Hospital

Project: The Role of Activated T cells in Multiple Sclerosis
Researcher: Prof. C. Feighery and Dr. M. Hutchinson, 1991 
Duration: One year project 
Contact: Dr. Michael Hutchinson, Consultant Neurologist, St Vincents Hospital

Project: A Prospective Study of Cognitive Function, Mood Disorder and Disability in a Population of Early Diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis Patients 
Researcher: Hutchinson and Hutchinson, 1991-1994
Duration: Three year project
Contact: Dr. Michael Hutchinson, Consultant Neurologist, St Vincents Hospital 

Project: Molecular Analysis of the Mechanism of Virus-Induced Demyelination and its Relevance to the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis 
Researcher: Prof. Gregory J. Atkins Ph.D, 1990 – 1993
Duration: Three year project
Contact: Prof. G. Atkins, Dept of Microbiology, Moyne Institute, Trinity College, Dublin

Project: A European Multicentre Prospective Study of the Effects of Pregnancy and the Puerperium in Multiple Sclerosis
Researcher: Dr. Michael Hutchinson, 1993 – 1995
Duration: Two year project
Contact: Dr Michael Hutchinson, Consultant Neurologist, St Vincents Hospital

Project: The Mechanism of Induction of Anti-Myelin Autoimmunity by Viruses and its Relevance to Multiple Sclerosis
Researcher: Prof. G. J. Atkins & Prof. B. J. Sheahan, 1993 – 1996
Duration: Three year project
Contact: Prof. G. Atkins, Dept of Microbiology, Moyne Institute, Trinity College, Dublin

Project: An Analysis of Glial Cell Lineage and Plasticity using Retroviral Lineage Tracing and Transplantation Techniques 
Researcher: Dr. K.W. McDermott, 1993 – 1996
Duration: Three year project
Contact:

Project: Analysis of the Mechanism of Virus-Induced Oligodendrocyte Cell Death
Researcher: Prof. G. J. Atkins & Prof. B. J. Sheahan, 1996 - 1999 
Duration: Three year project
Contact: Prof. G. J. Atkins, Dept of Microbiology, Moyne Institute, Trinity College

Project: Focus for MS: A Survey of the Utilisation and Perceptions of Health and Community Services by People with Multiple Sclerosis in the W.H.B Region
Researcher: Aidan Larkin, September 1999
Duration: One year project
Contact: Aidan Larkin, Western Regional Office

Project: Investigation of the Co stimulatory Requirements of Myelin-Reactive T Cells in Multiple Sclerosis 
Researcher: Dr. A. D. Crockard & Dr S. A. Hawkins, 1999
Duration: One year project
Contact: Dr. Stanley Hawkins, Consultant Neurologist, Institute of Clinical Science, Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosvenor Rd, Belfast BT12

Project: Multiple Sclerosis in Malta
Researcher: Dr. G. K. Dean, 1999 
Duration: One year project 

Project: Transient Virus Infections in the Etiology of Multiple Sclerosis
Researcher: Prof. G. J. Atkins, Prof B. J. Sheahan, & Dr. M. M. Morris-Downes, 1999/2000
Duration: Four year project to 2004  
Contact: Prof. Atkins, Dept of Microbiology, Moyne Institute, Trinity College, Dublin

Project: Elucidating the Role of 1111V6 and MV8 in Multiple Sclerosis and Identifying Novel Genes in MS Pathogenesis
Researcher: Dr. V. Uhlman & Dr. J. J. O'Leary, 1999 
Duration: Three year project to 2002 
Contact: Prof. John J. O’Leary, Director of Pathology, Coombe Hospital, Dolphins Barn, Dublin

Project: Participation in the project to establish the world’s largest database of MS patient information for statistical analysis of the disease, with the support of the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF).
Research: Sylvia Lawry Centre, 2003
Contact: Sylvia Lawry Centre for MS Research, Hohenlindenerstr 1, D-81677 Munich, Germany

Project: Fine Mapping and Assessment of Candidate Genes for 20 loci for MS Susceptibility
Researcher: Dr. Vandenbroeck/Hawkins/Hutchinson, combined project with Drs. Graham / Hawkins/Hutchinson, 2003
Duration: Three Year project
Contact: Dr. Stanley Hawkins, Consultant Neurologist, Institute of Clinical Science, Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosvenor Rd, Belfast BT12

Project: Further Studies on the Molecular and Cellular Basis of Blood – Brain Barrier Injury in MS
Researcher: Dr. Kirk/McQuaid/McConnell, 2003
Duration: Two year project 
Contact: Dr. John Kirk, Lecturer in Neuropathology, Queens University, Grosvenor Rd, Belfast BT12 6BL

Project: Continuation of MS in Malta Study
Researcher: Dr. G.K. Dean, 2003
Duration: One year project