Research Fellow (Post Doctoral)

Our research group (the O’Driscoll group) at Trinity College Dublin has extensive experience in research of exosomes and other extracellular vesicles (collectively termed EVs). EVs are emerging as important players in cell-to-cell communication under physiological and pathological circumstances. Some studies have suggested significantly more EVs in cancer patients’ blood compared to healthy controls; other have not. We hypothesis that this conflict in observation may be due to EVs’ heterogenous nature. Furthermore, for patients about to start neo-adjuvant treatment, we observed that small EVs (sEV) concentrations are great for non-responder>partial responder>complete responders>controls. Here we will more comprehensively investigate sEVs’ relevance. In vitro and in vivo studies across several solid tumour types implicate EVs released from cancer cells as causally involved in invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis and drug-resistance. Previous attempts to block EV release, and so these consequences, have been hampered by the approaches used also affecting EV release from normal cells that may be important for physiological events. However, we have now established that the microenvironment of the tumour substantially contributes to EV release. EVIC will thus investigate this, in efforts to prevent metastasis and drug-resistance. But not all EVs are bad! We have also successfully isolated EVs from normal mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with potential as drug/miRNA delivery vehicles. This will be further explored.

At Trinity, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Trinity welcomes applications from all individuals, including those applicants with disabilities, those who may have had non-traditional career paths, those who have taken time out for reasons including family or caring responsibilities. We also welcome international applicants including those whom have been displaced due to war.

We are ranked 3rd in the world for gender equality (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2020) and we hold an Athena SWAN Bronze award, recognising our work to advance gender equality. The University is actively pursuing a Silver level award, which it has committed to achieving by 2025. Trinity is committed to supporting the work-life balance and to creating a family-friendly working environment.