Featured Researcher: Dr Ciara O'Meara
My Research
I am currently working on the functional genomics of bovine embryo development in my role as a postdoctoral research fellow (Level II) in the Reproductive Biology Research Cluster (RBRC) funded under Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). More specifically, I am developing novel methods of introducing small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into bovine oocytes and embryos. The aim of RNA interference technology is to silence specific genes of interest. Once the select gene is successfully targeted and knocked-down at the early stages of development, we can observe further embryonic developmental effects. Hence, we can then elucidate the function or importance of that gene in the early embryo. Techniques used include: transfection, microinjection and electroporation of cumulus oocyte complexes, zygotes and morula stage embryos.
Role
I am a postdoctoral research fellow (level II) working with Professor Patrick Lonergan
Hometown
Ballysax, The Curragh, County Kildare
Education
2001: BSc (Agriculture) and final year dissertation entitled “Factors affecting fertility in the high yielding dairy cow”.
2003: MSc (Agriculture) and thesis entitled “Gene regulation of follicle development in cattle: differential gene expression analysis using DDRT-PCR”.
2006: PhD thesis entitled “Evaluation of semen for artificial insemination in sheep”
2006 to 2008: Clinical Embryologist and Andrologist in human infertility clinic.
2008 to 2010: Postdoctoral Research Fellow (level I) working on the functional genomics of bovine embryo development
Publications
1. O’ Meara CM, Hanrahan JP, Donovan A, Fair S, Rizos D, Wade M, Boland MP, Evans ACO and Lonergan P. (2005) Relationship between in vitro fertilisation of ewe oocytes and the fertility of ewes following cervical artificial insemination with frozen-thawed ram semen. Theriogenology 64, 1797-1808
2. O’ Meara CM, Hanrahan JP, Donovan A, Duffy P, Fair S, Evans ACO and Lonergan P. (2007) Resuspending ram spermatozoa in seminal plasma after cryopreservation does not improve pregnancy rate in cervically inseminated ewes. Theriogenology 67 (7): 1262-8
3. O’ Meara CM, Hanrahan, Prathalingam NS, Owen JS, Donovan A, Fair S, Ward F, Wade M, Evans ACO, Lonergan P (2008) Relationship between in vitro sperm functional tests and in vivo fertility of rams following cervical artificial insemination of ewes with frozen-thawed semen. Theriogenology 69:513-522
4. Rizos D, Gutierrez-Adan A, Moreira P, O’Meara CM, Fair T, Evans ACO, Boland MP, Lonergan P. (2004) Species-related differences in blastocyst quality are associated with differences in relative mRNA transcription. Molecular Reproduction and Development 69, 381-386
5. O’Meara CM, Murray JD, Mamo S, Gallagher E, Roche JF and Lonergan P. (2009) Gene silencing in bovine zygotes: siRNA transfection versus microinjection. Reproduction Fertility and Development, accepted.
Why choose UCD Conway?
UCD Conway encourages unity and communication between large pools of scientists from wide ranging multidisciplinary fields.