National University of Ireland, Maynooth

National University of Ireland, Maynooth
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Faculties & Departments

Department of Biology

Dr. Noel B. Murphy
Head of Laboratory

Molecular Parasitology Laboratory

NoelResearch Interests

The molecular parasitology group undertakes research on the African trypanosomes; protozoan parasites of both medical and veterinary importance in sub-Saharan Africa. The African trypanosomes also represent important biological organisms that have been central to discoveries on mechanisms of antigenic variation, mechanisms of adaptation to different host species, gene expression, RNA processing and editing and glycosome biology. With support from Enterprise Ireland (2002-2004) and Science Foundation Ireland (2004-2006) research conducted by the group is directed at gaining insights into trypanosome-host and trypanosome-trypanosome interactions that contribute to the establishment and maintenance of infection and the causes of disease. Current funded research is focused elucidating the molecular processes by which parasites communicate with each other to control their population size, proliferation and differentiation status. Communication between strains and species of trypanosomes is achieved through a parasite-produced factor. The process by which this factor arrests proliferation of dividing parasites and induces differentiation is currently being elucidated. The research group is also interested in mechanisms of host resistance through studies on African wildlife species that do not succumb to disease caused by trypanosomes. Studies have elucidated a mechanism of innate resistance and evidence for acquired immunity, and the basis of this acquired immunity is currently being studied through linkages with European, North American and African partners. The overarching aims of the group are to identify new options to control the devastating diseases caused by African trypanosomes by gaining a greater understanding of the biology of these organisms and their interactions with their host species.

Funding Sources

HEA, Irish Government Dept. of Foreign Affairs, SFI, Private funding, Departmental funds.

Recent Publications

  • Pearson, T.W., Beecroft, R.P., Welburn, S.C., Ruepp, S., Roditi, I., Hwa, K.-Y., Englund, P.T., Wells, C.W. & Murphy, N.B. (2000) The major cell surface glycoprotein procyclin is a receptor for induction of a novel form of cell death in procyclic African trypanosomes in vitro . Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 111 , 333-349.
  • Adewunmi, C.O., Agbedahunsi, J.M., Adebajo, A.C., Aladesanmi, A.J., Murphy, N. & Wando, J. (2001) Ethno-veterinary medicine: screening of Nigerian medicinal plants for trypanocidal properties. J. Ethnopharmacol. 77 , 19-24.
  • Black, S.J., Sicard, E.L., Murphy, N. & Nolan, D. (2001) Innate and acquired control of parasitaemia in Cape buffalo. Int. J. Parasitol. 31 , 562-565.
  • Black, S.J., Seed, J.R. & Murphy, N.B. (2001) Innate and acquired resistance to African trypanosomiasis. J. Parasitol. 87 , 1-9.
  • Murphy, N.B. & Olijhoek, T. (2001) Trypanosome factors controlling population size and differentiation status. In World Class Parasites, vol. 1, pp 113-126, Eds. S.J. Black and J.R. Seed, Kluwer Academic Publishers, USA .
  • Kitani, H., Black, S.J., Nakamura, Y., Naessens, J., Murphy, N.B. , Yokomizo, Y., Gibson, J. & Iraqi, F. (2002) Recombinant tumor necrosis factor alpha does not inhibit the growth of African trypanosomes in axenic cultures. Infect. Immun. 70 , 2210-2214.
  • Lillico, S.G., Mottram, J.C., Murphy, N.B. & Welburn, S.C. (2002) Characterisation of the QM gene of Trypanosoma brucei. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 211 , 123-128.
  • Pellé, R., McOdimba, F., Chuma, F., Wasawo, D., Pearson, T.W. & Murphy, N.B. (2002) The African trypanosome cyclophilin A homologue contains unusual conserved central and N-terminal domains and is developmentally regulated. Gene 290 , 181-191.
  • Wang, J., Van Praagh, A., Hamilton, E., Wang, Q., Zou, B., Muranjan, M., Murphy, N.B. & Black, S.J. (2002) Serum xanthine oxidase: origin, regulation, and contribution to control of trypanosome parasitemia . Antioxid. Redox Signal. 4 , 161-178.
  • Alsford, S., Navarro, M., Jamnadass, H.R., Dunbar, H., Ackroyd, M., Murphy, N.B. , Gull, K. & Ersfeld, K. (2003) The identification of circular extrachromosomal DNA in the nuclear genome of Trypanosoma brucei . Mol. Microbiol. 47 , 277-289.
  • Murphy, N.B. , Nolan, D. & Black, S.J. (2003) Novel approaches for vaccine development against trypanosomiasis in Africa. In. Biotechnology and Sustainable Development: Voices of the South and North, pp 173-185, Eds. I. Serageldin and G.J. Persley, CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK.
  • Black, S.J, Guirnalda, P., Noland D. and Murphy, N.B. (2005) Trypanosoma brucei clone-specific trypanolytic and trypanostatic antibodies in Cape buffalo serum during cryptic-phase infection. Infect. Immun. (in review).
  • Jamnadass, R.H., R. Pellé, P. Pandit, B. Ricard and N.B. Murphy. Structure, organization, plasticity and differential transcription of NlaIII repeat elements in a multidrug-resistant isolate of Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Experimental Parasitology 113, 244-255 (2006).
Last edited: Wednesday, 11-May-2011 10:48:27 IST

Biology Department , NUI Maynooth
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