Projects per year
Personal profile
Interests
Research Statement
The Fitzgerald lab is a Regenerative NeuroImmunology research group at QUB with a particular focus on Multiple Sclerosis (MS), an immune-mediated, demyelinating disorder of the Central Nervous System (CNS). The central goal of our research is to identify new strategies to treat MS and other inflammatory and demyelinating disorders.
We are particularly interested in the process of myelin regeneration (remyelination) and aim to identify novel therapeutic targets to promote remyelination in MS. To do this, we are uncovering new knowledge of how the immune system influences tissue regeneration in the Central Nervous System (CNS). We also conduct a research programme on the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammation. This programme mainly focuses on T cell biology with a view to identifying strategies to reduce disease activity in MS and other immune-mediated diseases. Previous work investigated the fundamental biology of IL-27 and its therapeutic potential in inflammatory/autoimmune disease, with particular focus on Th1- and Th17-mediated inflammatory responses.
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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R4861CEM: Investigating lymphoid-like structures in Multiple Sclerosis
Fitzgerald, D. (PI), Lopez Campos, G. (CoI) & Simpson, D. (CoI)
02/06/2019 → …
Project: Research
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R2652CNR: High Parameter Flow Cytometry in Health and Disease - Full application
Small, D. (PI), Buckley, N. (CoI), Fitzgerald, D. (CoI), Guzman de la Fuente, A. (CoI), Ingram, B. (CoI), Kerr, E. (CoI) & Longley, D. (CoI)
28/10/2019 → 29/09/2025
Project: Research
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R1586CII: Defining molecular pathways of regulatory T cell-mediated oligodendrocyte differentiation and remyelination
Fitzgerald, D. (PI)
03/11/2015 → 04/10/2019
Project: Research
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R1034CII: Investigating the role of CD4+ T cells in CNS remyelination
Fitzgerald, D. (PI)
01/08/2011 → 31/08/2015
Project: Research
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R1263CII: The role of macrophages in CNS remyelination
Fitzgerald, D. (PI)
01/08/2010 → 31/05/2012
Project: Research
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Central and peripheral alterations of retinal and choroidal vasculature in multiple sclerosis: insights from multimodal imaging
Mitchell, J., McIlwaine, G., Pead, E., Sloan, K., Ometto, G., MacGillivray, T., Hughes, S., McDonell, G., Fitzgerald, D. C., Moffat, J., Wright, D., Hogg, R. E., Peto, T., Lengyel, I. & Csincsik, L., Jun 2026, In: Ophthalmology Science. 6, 6, 14 p., 101192.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus)5 Downloads (Pure) -
Macular pigment and retinal reflectance in a feasibility study of multiple sclerosis: toward novel biomarkers of hidden disease processes
Mitchell, J., Sloan, K., Hogg, R., McIlwaine, G., Coey, R., Steen, J., Fitzgerald, D. C., Moffat, J., Hughes, S., McDonell, G., Peto, T., Lengyel, I. & Csincsik, L., 12 Aug 2026, In: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science. 67, 10, 9 p., 29.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile16 Downloads (Pure) -
NLRP3 regulates glial cells follllowing myelin damage
Bertholon, T., Gritti, L., Feeney, K., McKay, E., Crooks, D., Creswell, R., Curran, J., Bankhead, P., Fitzgerald, D. & Dombrowski, Y., 08 Jul 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
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Ageing impairs the regenerative capacity of regulatory T cells in mouse central nervous system remyelination
de la Fuente, A. G., Dittmer, M., Heesbeen, E. J., de la Vega Gallardo, N., White, J. A., Young, A., McColgan, T., Dashwood, A., Mayne, K., Cabeza-Fernández, S., Falconer, J., Rodriguez-Baena, F. J., McMurran, C. E., Inayatullah, M., Rawji, K. S., Franklin, R. J. M., Dooley, J., Liston, A., Ingram, R. J. & Tiwari, V. K. & 3 others, , 11 Mar 2024, In: Nature Communications. 15, 19 p., 1870.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile38 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)88 Downloads (Pure) -
Nurturing a positive research culture within your laboratory
Liston, A. & Fitzgerald, D. C., 15 Oct 2024, In: Wellcome Open Research. 9, 341.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
Open AccessFile4 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)148 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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British Society for Immunology Outstanding Team Award
Lengyel, I. (Recipient), Fitzgerald, D. (Recipient), Hughes, S. (Recipient), Kee, R. (Recipient), Dombrowski, Y. (Recipient), McIlwaine, G. (Recipient), Moffat, J. (Recipient), McDonnell, G. (Recipient), McDonnell, G. (Recipient), Kennedy, F. (Recipient) & Naughton, M. (Recipient), 25 Apr 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Most Innovative Research Programme, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science
Fitzgerald, D. (Recipient), 2013
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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MS Society (GB & NI) ‘Research of the Year’ Award
Fitzgerald, D. (Recipient), 2018
Prize: National/international honour
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Staff Excellence Award for ‘Outstanding Leadership’
Fitzgerald, D. (Recipient), 2018
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Vice-Chancellor’s Prize for Research Innovation
Fitzgerald, D. (Recipient), 2017
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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BBSRC (External organisation)
Fitzgerald, D. (Advisor)
2024 → …Activity: Membership types › Membership of peer review panel or committee
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External Academic progression/promotion/fellowship assessment
Fitzgerald, D. (Advisor)
2023 → …Activity: Other activity types › Other
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External Academic progression/promotion/fellowship assessment
Fitzgerald, D. (Advisor)
2022Activity: Other activity types › Other
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Medical Research Council (External organisation)
Fitzgerald, D. (Advisor)
2021Activity: Membership types › Membership of peer review panel or committee
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Wellcome Trust (External organisation)
Fitzgerald, D. (Board Member)
2021 → 2024Activity: Membership types › Membership of peer review panel or committee
Press/Media
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Growing MS Research In Northern Ireland
Dombrowski, Y., Orr, S. & Fitzgerald, D.
01/11/2023
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities