Biography

Dr. Niamh Gilmartin completed a Ph.D. in I.T. Carlow focussed on microbial bioremediation systems, and thereafter, spent two years as a post-doc in Université Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg. A new position in Dublin City University (DCU) prompted a return to Ireland in 2005 to work on antibody and immunoassay development. Niamh subsequently worked as a Research Fellow in the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, DCU, and developed a strong track record translating novel diagnostic to the clinical environment. With a passion for teaching underpinned by significant experience, Dr. Gilmartin took up the position of Lecturer in Biochemistry at DIT in 2015, and continues with her team to develop clinical theranostic and aptamer technology assay platforms.

Qualifications

Dip. Appl. Sci., BSc. Hons., Ph.D. (Microbial Biochemistry)  

Research Themes

 Diagnostics, Therapeutics, Biosensors  

Keywords

 Aptamers, Immunoassays, Platelets, Point of care/Diagnostic Devices, Clinical Research, Theranostics

Key Publications

• Le Berre, M. Viguier, C., Murphy, C., Gilmartin, N. (2017) Detection of Food, Agricultural and Aquatic Contaminants, In: Murphy C & O’ Kennedy R (Ed.), Immunoassays – Development, Applications and Future Trends. pp 221-242 Singapore, Pan Stanford Publishing.

• Jose, B., McCluskey, P., Gilmartin, N., Somers, M., Kenny, D, Ricco, A.J., Kent, N., Basabe-DesmontsL. (2016). Self-powered microfluidic device for rapid assay of antiplatelet drugs. Langmuir 32, 2820-8.

• Gilmartin, N, Giao, M.S., Keevil, B., O’Kennedy, R. (2016). Differential internalin A expression in biofilms of Listeria monocytogenes grown on different substrata and nutrient conditions. Int. J. Food Micro. 219, 50-55

Professional Memberships

• Member of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies

• Member of the Institute of Biology of Ireland

• Member of the International Society on Aptamers

External Activities/Outreach

• Reviewer for several journals including Analytical Biochemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Enzyme and Microbial Technology, Sensors & Actuators: B. Chemical

• Research Collaborations with DCU, Trinity, Teagasc and RCSI as well as a number of industrial partners

Research and Academic Interests

In addition to pioneering advances in fundamental diagnostic technologies my research has translated diagnostic technologies into novel cost-effective devices which have been commercialised and deployed within industry and the hospital setting. My previous projects included biosensor development for microbiological food safety analysis particularly in relation to biofilms as part of a European (FP7) BIOLISME project in collaboration with academic partners in Spain and UK and small to medium enterprise (SME) partners in the UK, France and Spain. I subsequently co-authored the successful application to EU FP7 Demonstration Action (BIOLISME II) for further 2 years funding for this project resulting in a sampling and detection system for L. monocytogenes that represents a disruptive step in biosensor development for microbiological food safety analysis. A priority filing for this system was filed in the European Patent office in July 2014 (14382299.7).

Currently, with my research team, I lead a clinical biochemistry diagnostic project to develop a theranostic assay for monitoring of anti-platelet drug therapy. The project includes the incorporation of a molecular biochemical assay into a near patient device for use in a clinical setting. The outstanding success and achievements of this project have resulted in the translation of the device to the Clinical Research Centre in Beaumont Hospital for monitoring of anti-platelet drugs in cardiovascular disease patients.

Additionally, my strong track record in immunoassay and antibody development has facilitated the use of aptamers as molecular detection tools for potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Aptamers are short single-stranded oligonucleotides that are capable (like antibodies) of binding various molecules with high affinity and specificity. Aptamers have the advantage of being neither immunogenic nor toxic and this feature in addition to the high quantities producible makes aptamers ideal candidates for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Our research labs are uniquely positioned to engage in theranostic research as evidenced by the aforementioned successes. Moreover, such achievements are underpinned by multidisciplinary expertise, an extensive collaboration network, the availability of highly annotated bio-specimens and clinical samples, coupled with various screening platforms and a systematic approach for translating point-of-care assays to the clinical environment. Further developments are underway focusing on bacterial contamination and addressing several healthcare challenges in the areas of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

My current main research areas are focussed on:

1) The development of novel capture molecules for biomarkers with particular focus on the use of aptamers as capture molecules.

2) The development of novel biosensors for the capture and detection of biomarkers.

3) The translation of research from the lab to both clinical and industrial settings.