Projects per year
Personal profile
Interests
Prof McCarthy’s research team have focused on the development of non-viral delivery systems for nanomedicine applications in the School of Pharmacy. These biomimetic peptide systems are designed to overcome the extra and intracellular barriers, so that the macromolecular payload can be delivered at the destination site in order to exert the optimal therapeutic effect. Helen has designed and patented three delivery systems. Current research projects involve gene therapy for metastatic deposits; miRNA therapeutics for oncology and wound healing applications; mRNA and DNA vaccination strategies; and regeneration of bone by increasing the bioavailability of ceramics. The wide-spread utility of these delivery systems has led to a spin-out company Phion Therapeutics www.phiontx.co.uk. We currently have three internal projects funded by Innovate UK, several commercial partners, one of which includes Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult for ex vivo applications of our technology.
Helen has published over 100 scientific publications, edited a book and has given many conference presentations. Research grant income from the National Science Foundation, Invest Northern Ireland, Cancer Research UK, Prostate Cancer UK, Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, The Royal Society, BBSRC, MRC, EPSRC, and Versus Arthritis have supported this research. Helen currently sits on the editorial board for Cancer Nanotechnology and the Journal of Material Science and is an external examiner for Pharmacy at RCSI and Translational Oncology in TCD.
Research Statement
Prof McCarthy's Research interests include:
Delivery of Nucleic Acids
Cancer Gene Therapy
Bio-inspired Delivery systems
DNA & mRNA Therapeutic Vaccines
Bone Regeneration
Nanotechnology
Biomaterials with Genetic Cargo
Transcriptional Targeting
Prostate Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Current Funding:
Invest NI
Prostate Cancer UK
Versus Arthritis
EPSRC
Phion Therapeutics
Teaching
Teaching and delivery on 3 Modules on the MPharm Pathway (Yr 1, 3 & 4) and 3 Modules on the on the BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences Pathway and BSc Pharmaceutical Biotechnology in QUB and China Queen’s College.
Assistant Module Co-ordinator for PMY3176 (MPharm) and PMY3276 (BSc) ‘Advanced Delivery Systems for Large and Small Molecules’.
Assistant co-ordinator for PMY4005 Project module on the MPharm degree.
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Projects
R1112PMY: Peptide-mimetic hydrogels as a long-acting multipurpose drug delivery platform for combined contraception and HIV prevention
Laverty, G., Carson, L., Edkins, K., Malcolm, K. & McCarthy, H.
02/09/2019 → …
Project: Research
R1007PMY: Anti-inflammatory radiosensitising gold nanoparticles for the treatment of prostate cancer
Coulter, J., Butterworth, K., Jain, S. & McCarthy, H.
25/01/2019 → …
Project: Research
Research Output
A novel transdermal protein delivery strategy via electrohydrodynamic coating of PLGA microparticles onto microneedles
Angkawinitwong, U., Courtenay, A. J., Rodgers, A., Larraneta, E., McCarthy, H. O., Brocchini, S., Donnelly, R. F. & Williams, G. R., 18 Feb 2020, In : ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
Hydrogel-forming microneedle arrays as a therapeutic option for transdermal esketamine delivery
Courtenay, A. J., McAlister, E., McCrudden, M. T. C., Vora, L., Steiner, L., Levin, G., Levy-Nissenbaum, E., Shterman, N., Kearney, M-C., McCarthy, H. O. & Donnelly, R. F., 19 Mar 2020, In : Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society. 322, p. 177-186 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
Open Access
File
A tailored genetic nanomedicine for wound healing applications
Juncos Bombin, A. D., Dunne, N. & McCarthy, H., 09 Sep 2019.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
Delivery across the blood-brain barrier: nanomedicine for glioblastoma multiforme
Jena, L., McErlean, E. & McCarthy, H., 14 Nov 2019, In : Drug Delivery and Translational Research.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
Open Access
File
Delivery of RALA/siFKBPL nanoparticles via electrospun bilayer nanofibres: An innovative angiogenic therapy for wound repair
Mulholland, E., Ali, A., Robson, T., Dunne, N. & McCarthy, H., 28 Dec 2019, In : Journal of Controlled Release. 316, p. 53-65Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
Prizes
All-Ireland Investor Readiness Seedcorn Awards 2017
Helen McCarthy (Recipient), 22 Nov 2017
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Recipient of The QUB Vice Chancellor’s Innovation Award.
Helen McCarthy (Recipient), 10 Dec 2018
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
REMEDI
Helen McCarthy (Invited speaker)28 Sep 2018
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
RNAi Therapeutics
Helen McCarthy (Speaker)21 Feb 2018
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
Mathematical Modelling of Radiation in Cancer Therapy
Helen McCarthy (Invited speaker)11 Jan 2017
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
Pharmaceutica Nanomedicine
Helen McCarthy (Invited speaker)24 Jul 2017 → 25 Jul 2017
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
STFC User Meeting
Lindsey Bennie (Speaker), Aaron McCulloch (Speaker), Shannon O'Neill (Participant), Natalie Owen (Participant), Helen McCarthy (Participant), Frederick Currell (Participant), Jonathan Coulter (Presenter)05 Sep 2017
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
Press / Media
Prostate Cancer UK Innovation Award
01/03/2018
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
Northern Ireland Tech Mission
29/01/2018
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
Winner of All Ireland Seedcorn Awards 2017
22/11/2017
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities