DR CLAIRE MASTERSON, POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER, ATHLONE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

With an extensive background in stem cell therapies for lung injury, Dr Claire Masterson is a Lead PostDoctoral Researcher in the Bioscience Research Institute at AIT. She studies the potential of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as therapy against sepsis and pulmonary injury.

“I completed my undergraduate degree in 2007 with a BSc (Honours) in microbiology from NUI Galway and my Master’s degree in stem cell research at the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) in 2008.

“Following this, and a short period as a research assistant in REMEDI, I carried out my PhD studies in the department of anaesthesia, NUI Galway until 2013.”

Masterson adds: “I was a research scientist in Orbsen Therapeutics Ltd before commencing my post-doctoral research in St Michael’s hospital in Toronto, Canada on an ERS (European Respiratory Society) long-term fellowship award. I returned to Ireland in 2016 to take up the post-doctoral research position in the Bioscience research institute in AIT. I’m now using my skills and expertise on the study of mesenchymal stromal

cells (MSCs) and their potential as an effective therapy against sepsis and pulmonary injury.”

Sepsis is a devastating condition accounting for up to 25pc of all hospital deaths with a mortality rate of up to 33pc. Pneumonia is the most common cause of sepsis, with the lungs being a prime site of infection in many cases.

“There is no cure for sepsis and current treatments involve the use of antibiotics to combat the infection with mixed success,” says Masterson.

“With the emergence of antibiotic resistance, there is an urgent need for an alternative treatment for this condition. Collaborative HRB (Health Research Board)-funded research, between Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) and NUI Galway, are combining stem cells and novel bioactives, which improve overall body function, as a potential new intervention for sepsis mitigation.

“While use of bone marrow derived MSCs has proven effective in a range of conditions, this timely approach offers many desirable characteristics which make it an ideal therapy for combating sepsis. This includes the stimulation of beneficial host immune responses, along with important anti-bacterial activities.”

The current HRB-focus will bring this innovation to a new platform level with global orientation, where smart food-grade bio-actives have been used to enhance and optimise MSCs for a more potent therapy. In an environment that has witnessed a dramatic decline in new therapies to combat antibiotic resistant bacteria, this project offers a new horizon and hope.

“The project has produced a promising, potent bio-active cocktail that has been taken to pre-clinical studies for the treatment of bacterial sepsis.”