Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
PhD Project Template
PI name & contact details:
Thomas Ritter, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer in Medicine
Phone: xx353-(0)91-495329, Fax: xx353-(0)91-495547
e-mail: thomas.ritter@nuigalway.ie
School:
School of Medicine
Has project been agreed with head (or
nominee) of proposed registration school?
yes
Research Centre / group affiliation:
National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES)
http://ncbes.eurhost.net/
Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI)
Research group / centre website:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/remedi/
PI website / link to CV:
http://ncbes.eurhost.net/bio/thomas-ritter.aspx
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
My research group focuses on the development of novel gene and cell therapeutic strategies to
prevent organ graft rejection and to characterise the underlying mechanisms. We use a range of
techniques as appropriate for each project including tissue culture, molecular biology, protein
biochemistry, gene therapy, flow cytometry, microscopy, small animal models and analysis of
human biospecimens. Within the Immunology Group (Profs M. Griffin and R. Ceredig) in REMEDI we
investigate the immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Elucidating the mechanism of immunomodulation by syngeneic and allogeneic
mesenchymal stem cells.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous population of non-hematopoietic cells
with multi-lineage potential. They can be isolated from bone marrow (BM) and other sources and
have the capacity to extensively proliferate in vitro. Their capacity to differentiate into various
lineages and their in vitro proliferative potential makes them attractive targets for regenerative
medicine applications. Interestingly, it has been also demonstrated that MSCs possess
immunomodulatory properties. Although MSCs have been administered to patients in
various clinical trials with beneficial effects the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully
understood. Preliminary data from our group indicate that donor-derived (allogeneic) but not
recipient-derived (syngeneic) MSCs prolong graft survival in a corneal transplant model. Moreover,
in vitro experiments indicate that in antiCD3/CD28-stimulated mixed lymphocyte cultures Nitric
Oxide (NO)-production was significantly increased when co-cultured with allogeneic MSCs compared
to syngeneic MSCs. Interestingly, induction of regulatory T cells was more pronounced in syngeneic
cultures. This suggests that the mechanism of immunomodulation mediated by either syngeneic or
allogeneic MSCs is different. In this project the mechanisms of immunomodulation by syngeneic and
allogeneic MSCs will be studied. Down-regulation of candidate genes by siRNA or overexpression by
lentiviral gene transfer will be performed and analysed in vitro and in vivo. This research will
significantly contribute to improve our understanding of the immunomodulatory properties of
syngeneic and allogeneic MSCs for future treatment of patients.
Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
Unique selling points of PhD project in NUI Galway:
As a REMEDI member, the student will have access to the following:

A number of core technical facilities in areas such as flow cytometry, microscopy, cell
culture, histology, molecular biology etc

A diverse range of additional subject-specific and non-specific didactic elements as part of
the structured PhD programme (Regenerative Medicine Ph.D. programme).

A wide range of expertise including the areas of stem cell biology, gene therapy,
immunology, molecular biology, translational research

A wide network of collaborating researchers in Ireland, Europe, the US and worldwide
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above:
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Cell biology,
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only
one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)
Health and Biomedical Sciences

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technology of prevention and remediation of natural disasters
Biodiversity and Bioprospection
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
Please indicate which of the following applies to this project (referring to Science Without Borders
arrangements):
Suitable only as a Full PhD (Y/N): _ ___Y_
Available to candidates seeking a Sandwich PhD arrangement (Y/N): ___Y__
Suitable for either/Don’t know: _____