For the last 11 years Prof McCarthy’s research team have focused on the development of non-viral delivery systems for nanomedicine applications. These biomimetic 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; repurposing of bisphosphonates 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. To that end, she has published over 80 scientific publications, edited a book and has given many conference presentations. She has received research grant income from the National Science Foundation, Invest Northern Ireland, Cancer Research UK, Breast Cancer Campaign, Prostate Cancer UK, Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, The Royal Society, BBSRC, MRC, EPSRC, Prostate Cancer Research Foundation and Action Cancer. She is also on the editorial board for Cancer Nanotechnology and the Journal of Material Science and is an external examiner at for the Junior Medicine Cycle and Pharmacy at RCSI.

Prof McCarthy's Research interests include:

Cancer Gene Therapy

Bio-inspired Delivery systems

DNA & mRNA Vaccines

Bone Regeneration

Nanotechnology

Macromolecular Delivery

Nitric Oxide

Transcriptional Targeting

Breast Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Current Funding:

MRC

Invest NI

Prostate Cancer UK

The Royal Society

EPSRC

Phion Therapeutics

Teaching Administration Associated with the MPharm Degree

2007 - Present Module Co-ordinator PMY3072 Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

2010 - Present Assistant Co-ordinator PMY4005 Project Module

2010 - Present Level 3 Year Co-ordinator

Teaching Contribution within the MPharm Degree

2006-Present PMY1003 Medicines from Concept to Clinic

2007-Present PMY3081 Drug Delivery

2007-Present PMY3072 Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

2007-Present PMY4005 Project Module

2015-Present PMY4107 Advanced Pharmaceutical Care

Teaching Contribution within the BSc Pharm Sci Degree

2015-Present PMY2021 Principles of Drug Action