DrJoan Ni Gabhann-Dromgoole

Our research program is targeting the underlying pathology the autoimmune disease Sjogren’s Syndrome (SS), which gives rise to dry eyes and dry mouth through reduced exocrine gland function, as well as contributing to a range of extra glandular complications. These complications can range in severity from fatigue to the development of pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease and in certain cases, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. There are no effective therapies for SS or diagnostic tests that allow identification of patients who will go on to develop further complications. Our work aims to address this need through targeting the molecular mechanisms that underpin SS development and pathogenesis. Recently our research has focussed on investigating the role of non-coding microRNAs that regulate inflammation, and in particular pathogenic cytokine production, to the pathogenesis of SS. Given the critically important role of inflammation and dysregulated inflammatory cytokine production in a variety of autoimmune conditions and dry eye diseases our research also aims to delineate a role for these novel regulatory molecules in inflammatory diseases with the hope of identifying new therapeutic targets and diagnostics.
Our group successfully operates within a clinician-scientist framework, thus we are uniquely positioned within RCSI and the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital to investigate the immunological component to a range of ocular surface diseases. The clinical lead in our group, Prof Conor Murphy, Professor of Ophthalmology, has established research interests in the areas of uveitis, herpes simplex keratitis and dry eye disease (DED). We currently focus on DED particularly in the context of the autoimmune condition, SS. However, the underlying inflammatory or immune component across the presentations of DED means that our research will be applicable to a range of conditions including age related dry eye disease, aqueous tear deficiency and potentially graft versus host disease in the context of corneal transplantation.