The Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland (RAMI) selected SBBS Principal Investigator, Dr. John O’Connor to deliver the 2012 Conway Review Lecture and receive the Academy’s silver medal in recognition of his work on the effect pro-inflammatory agents have on synaptic signalling before and during hypoxic insults to neurons.
Dr. O’Connor’s research laboratory focuses on neuron to neuron signaling in the brain and on the interaction of the immune system with this. He is particularly interested in how pro-inflammatory molecules such as tumour necrosis factor alpha modulate synaptic plasticity, a model for memory formation before and during hypoxic insults to neurons.
His current research focuses on how neurons adapt to acute hypoxic exposure and he is using genetically modified murine models within which a specific protein, PHD is switched off. PHD is a key regulator of neuronal responses to hypoxia. Dr. O’Connor is also looking at the real time monitoring of neuro-transmitter release (dopamine, noradrenaline and 5-HT) in the brain using the technique of fast cyclic voltammetry.
The annual Conway Review Lecture is organised by the section of biological sciences of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland. It commemorates Edward J. Conway F.R.S., one time Professor of Biochemistry in University College Dublin and namesake of the UCD Conway Institute. The 2012 lecture was held in NUI Galway on June 14th 2012.