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Natural Sciences

Dr Gerard Wall

BSc. PhD.

Contact Details

Senior Lecturer, Head of Microbiology
Microbiology

T: +353-91-495808
E: gerard.wall@nuigalway.ie
W: EU Consortium: https://sites.google.com/site/mariecurieiappconsortium/ Twitter: @jgerardwall
 
researcher

Biography

  • 2015: Fulbright Scholar, Chemical Engineering, University of Wyoming, USA
  • 2008-present:  Senior Lecturer, Microbiology, NUI Galway
  • 1996-2007:  Senior Lecturer, Lecturer, Assistant Lecturer, Industrial Biochemistry, University of Limerick
  • 1994-1996:  Postdoctoral Fellow (Molecular Immunology / Biochemistry), University of Zurich, Switzerland
  • 1990-1993:  PhD (Molecular Immunology), University of Aberdeen, Scotland
  • 1986-1990:  BSc 1st Hons. (Microbiology), NUI, Galway
Research Interests:
  • (Bio)materials functionalisation; biomimetisation / functionalisation of materials - such as stents - using engineered recombinant proteins for addition- or modification-of-function.
  • Functional biomaterials in drug delivery: use of phage and peptide libraries to direct biodegradable nanospheres to specific cell types for targeted gene delivery
  • Expression of "difficult" proteins, such as glycosylated or glyco-engineered proteins and membrane proteins, in E. coli
  • Protein immobilisation studies: production and engineering (affinity maturation, increasing stability) of antibody fragments in E. coli for use in sensing, point-of-care, purification applications

Research Interests


Research Interests:
  • (Bio)materials functionalisation; biomimetisation / functionalisation of materials - such as stents - using engineered recombinant proteins for addition- or modification-of-function
  • Functional biomaterials in drug delivery: use of phage and peptide libraries to direct biodegradable nanospheres to specific cell types for targeted gene delivery
  • Expression of "difficult" proteins, such as glycosylated or glyco-engineered proteins and membrane proteins, in E. coli
  • Protein immobilisation studies: production and engineering (affinity maturation, increasing stability) of antibody fragments in E. coli for use in sensing, point-of-care, purification applications

Research Projects

  Project Start Date End Date
Development of a nebulised recombinant SOD protein for acute respiratory distress syndrome 01-JAN-17 31-DEC-17
Development of a SERS-based point-of-care immunosensor incorporating recombinant antibodies 01-FEB-16 31-MAY-16
Recombinant expression of barnacle cement proteins 01-SEP-15
CURAM Platform Gerard Wall 01-JUN-15 31-DEC-20
EPICSTENT GERARD WALL 01-APR-13 31-MAR-17
GENERAL RESEARCH ACCOUNT GERARD WALL 16-NOV-12 15-NOV-17
EPICSTENT GERARD WALL 01-APR-13 31-MAR-17
EI CS PROG PROPOSAL PREPARATION SUPPORT FOR EU IAPP APPLICATION CS 2012 0498 GERARD WALL 01-FEB-12 26-SEP-13
IRCSET EMPOWER POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP GERARD WALL DR MARIA HORTIGUELA 01-OCT-10 30-SEP-13
Expression and glycoengineering of glycoproteins in Escherichia coli 10-JAN-11 30-SEP-15
Trigger factor psychrobacter - g wall 01-JAN-09 31-DEC-09
Development of a targeted therapy for nucleus pulposus 01-SEP-08
BIO ELECTRIC SURFACE CPFP2125332 G WALL 01-OCT-08 01-NOV-12
EI PC 2007 021 GERARD WALL 01-OCT-07 28-FEB-09

Contract Researchers

  Researcher Name Project Role Funding Body
Dr Sunil Kumar Epistent: EU Marie Curie IAPP Experienced Researcher EU
Dr Soshee Ananda Kumar EU: Epicstent Marie Curie IAPP Experienced Researcher EU
Dr Silvia Maretto EU: Epicstent Marie Curie IAPP Project coordinator EU
Dr Akshay Srivastava Network for Excellence in Functional Biomaterials Postdoctoral Researcher Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
Dr María Jesús Hortigüela Monolithic silica columns for environmental monitoring applications Postdoctoral Researcher IRCSET
Dr Sylvain Robin Generation of a glycosylation-competent E. coli Postdoctoral Researcher Enterprise Ireland (EI)
Dr Xuejun Hu BioElectricSurface Postdoctoral Researcher EU
Dr Stefania Spada Development of an expression vector for improved production of heterologous proteins in E. coli Postdoctoral Reseacher IRCSET
Dr Michael Palige Development and commercialisation of an expression vector for improved production of mammalian proteins in E. coli Postdoctoral Researcher Enterprise Ireland (EI)
Dr Sylvain Robin Development of a platform technology to increase yields of recombinant proteins produced in E. coli Postdoctoral Researcher Enterprise Ireland (EI)
Dr Hui Li Drug targeting via site-specific release - evolution of a mammalian dipeptidase for use in cancer chemotherapy Postdoctoral Researcher Enterprise Ireland (EI)
Dr Xuejun Hu Engineering a lactase so as to provide competitive advantage over current commercial preparations Postdoctoral Researcher Enterprise Ireland (EI)
Dr Xuejun Hu Development of a panel of immunoassays for detection of algal toxins in shellfish and phytoplankton samples Postdoctoral Researcher Enterprise Ireland (EI)
Dr Stefania Spada Investigation of protein folding in Thermus thermophilus Postdoctoral Researcher Enterprise Ireland Forbairt

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2016) 'Poly (ethylene glycol) based hyper-branched polymer from RAFT and its application as a silver sulfadiazine loaded anti-bacterial hydrogel in wound care'
McMahon S, Kennedy R, Duffy P, Vasquez J, Wall JG, Tai H, Wang W (2016) 'Poly (ethylene glycol) based hyper-branched polymer from RAFT and its application as a silver sulfadiazine loaded anti-bacterial hydrogel in wound care'. Acs Applied Materials & Interfaces, 8 :26648-26656 [Details]
(2016) 'Stainless steel surface functionalization for immobilization of antibody fragments for cardiovascular applications'
Foerster A, Holowacz I, Kumar GBS, Anandakumar S, Wall JG, Wawrzynska M, Paprocka M, Kantor A, Kraskiewicz H, Olsztynska-Janus S, Hinder SJ, Bialy D, Podbielska H, Kopaczynska M (2016) 'Stainless steel surface functionalization for immobilization of antibody fragments for cardiovascular applications'. Journal Of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 104 :821-832 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Adding Functions to Biomaterial Surfaces through Protein Incorporation'
Wronska, MA,O'Connor, IB,Tilbury, MA,Srivastava, A,Wall, JG (2016) 'Adding Functions to Biomaterial Surfaces through Protein Incorporation'. Advanced Materials, 28 :5485-5508 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'Improved Gene Transfection Efficacy and Cytocompatibility of Multifunctional Polyamidoamine-Cross-Linked Hyaluronan Particles'
Srivastava, A,Cunningham, C,Pandit, A,Wall, JG (2015) 'Improved Gene Transfection Efficacy and Cytocompatibility of Multifunctional Polyamidoamine-Cross-Linked Hyaluronan Particles'. Macromolecular Bioscience, 15 :682-690 [DOI] [Details]
(2014) 'Designing polymer-antibody fragment conjugates for biomedical applications'
Srivastava A, O’Connor IB, Pandit A, Wall JG (2014) 'Designing polymer-antibody fragment conjugates for biomedical applications'. Progress In Polymer Science, 39 :308-329 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Thermal unfolding and refolding of lysozyme in deep eutectic solvents and their aqueous dilutions'
Esquembre, R,Sanz, JM,Wall, JG,del Monte, F,Mateo, CR,Ferrer, ML (2013) 'Thermal unfolding and refolding of lysozyme in deep eutectic solvents and their aqueous dilutions'. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 15 :11248-11256 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Covalent and oriented immobilization of scFv antibody fragments via an engineered glycan moiety'
Hu X, Hortigüela MJ, Robin S, Lin H, Li Y, Moran AP, Wang W, Wall JG. (2013) 'Covalent and oriented immobilization of scFv antibody fragments via an engineered glycan moiety'. Biomacromolecules, 14 (1):153-159 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Improved Detection of Domoic Acid Using Covalently Immobilised Antibody Fragments'
Hortiguela, MJ,Wall, JG (2013) 'Improved Detection of Domoic Acid Using Covalently Immobilised Antibody Fragments'. Marine Drugs, 11 :881-895 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Isolation and Characterisation of a Recombinant Antibody Fragment That Binds NCAM1-Expressing Intervertebral Disc Cells'
Cunningham, C,Srivastava, A,Collin, E,Grad, S,Alini, M,Pandit, A,Wall, JG (2013) 'Isolation and Characterisation of a Recombinant Antibody Fragment That Binds NCAM1-Expressing Intervertebral Disc Cells'. Plos One, 8 [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 'Interference: an alteRNAtive therapy following acute myocardial infarction'
Monaghan, M,Greiser, U,Wall, JG,O'Brien, T,Pandit, A (2012) 'Interference: an alteRNAtive therapy following acute myocardial infarction'. Trends In Pharmacological Sciences, 33 :635-645 [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Identification of cell surface-specific markers to target human nucleus pulposus cells: Expression of carbonic anhydrase XII varies with age and degeneration'
Power KA, Grad S, Rutges J, Creemers LB, van Rijen MHP, O'Gaora P, Wall JG, Alini M, Pandit A, Gallagher WM (2011) 'Identification of cell surface-specific markers to target human nucleus pulposus cells: Expression of carbonic anhydrase XII varies with age and degeneration'. Arthritis & Rheumatism , 63 :3876-3886 [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Antibody Immobilization on Solid Surfaces: Methods and Applications'
Hu, X,O'Connor, IB,Wall, JG,Tofail, SAM (2011) 'Antibody Immobilization on Solid Surfaces: Methods and Applications'. Biological Interactions With Surface Charge In Biomaterials, :90-104 [DOI] [Details]
(2010) 'Engineering of a fungal beta-galactosidase to remove product inhibition by galactose'
Hu XJ, Robin S, O'Connell S, Walsh G, Wall JG (2010) 'Engineering of a fungal beta-galactosidase to remove product inhibition by galactose'. Applied Microbiology And Biotechnology, 87 :1773-1782 [DOI] [Details]
(2009) 'Trigger Factor from the Psychrophilic Bacterium Psychrobacter frigidicola Is a Monomeric Chaperone'
Robin, S,Togashi, DM,Ryder, AG,Wall, JG (2009) 'Trigger Factor from the Psychrophilic Bacterium Psychrobacter frigidicola Is a Monomeric Chaperone'. Journal Of Bacteriology, 191 :1162-1168 [DOI] [Details]
(2009) 'Engineering of Cysteine Residues Leads to Improved Production of a Human Dipeptidase Enzyme in E. coli'
O'Dwyer, R,Razzaque, R,Hu, XJ,Hollingshead, SK,Wall, JG (2009) 'Engineering of Cysteine Residues Leads to Improved Production of a Human Dipeptidase Enzyme in E. coli'. Applied Biochemistry And Biotechnology, 159 :178-190 [DOI] [Details]
(2009) 'Use of folding modulators to improve heterologous protein production in Escherichia coli'
Kolaj O, Spada S, Robin S, Wall JG (2009) 'Use of folding modulators to improve heterologous protein production in Escherichia coli'. Microbial Cell Factories, 8 [DOI] [Details]
(2008) 'Insights into the mode of action of a putative zinc transporter CzrB in Thermus thermophilus'
V. Cherezov, N. Höfer, D.M.E. Szebenyi, O. Kolaj, J.G. Wall, R. Gillilan, V. Srinivasan, C.P. Jaroniec and M. Caffrey (2008) 'Insights into the mode of action of a putative zinc transporter CzrB in Thermus thermophilus'. Structure, 16 (9):1378-1388 [Details]
(2007) 'Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of a soluble domain of the putative zinc transporter CzrB from Thermus thermophilus'
Höfer N, Kolaj O, Li H, Cherezov V, Gilliam R, Wall JG, Caffrey M (2007) 'Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of a soluble domain of the putative zinc transporter CzrB from Thermus thermophilus'. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C-CRYSTAL STRUCTURE, 63 (8):673-677 [Details]
(2007) 'Optimisation of production of a domoic acid-binding scFv antibody fragment in Escherichia coli using molecular chaperones and functional immobilisation on a mesoporous silicate support'
Hu, XJ,O'Hara, L,White, S,Magner, E,Kane, M,Wall, JG (2007) 'Optimisation of production of a domoic acid-binding scFv antibody fragment in Escherichia coli using molecular chaperones and functional immobilisation on a mesoporous silicate support'. Protein Expression And Purification, 52 :194-201 [DOI] [Details]
(2006) 'Adsorption and activity of a domoic acid-binding antibody fragment on mesoporous silicates'
Hu X, White S, Spada S, Hudson S, Magner E, Wall JG (2006) 'Adsorption and activity of a domoic acid-binding antibody fragment on mesoporous silicates'. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B, 110 (37):18703-18709 [Details]
(2006) 'The antibacterial effects of zinc ion migration from zinc based glass polyalkenoate cements'
Boyd D, Li H, Tanner DA, Chowdhury SA, Towler M, Wall JG (2006) 'The antibacterial effects of zinc ion migration from zinc based glass polyalkenoate cements'. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE: MATERIALS IN MEDICINE, 17 (6):489-494 [Details]
(2005) 'Cloning, expression and characterisation of a single-chain Fv antibody fragment against domoic acid in Escherichia coli'
Hu X, O'Dwyer R, Wall JG (2005) 'Cloning, expression and characterisation of a single-chain Fv antibody fragment against domoic acid in Escherichia coli'. JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY, 120 (1):38-45 [Details]
(2004) 'Measurement of the adsorption of cytochrome c onto the external surface of a thin film mesoporous silicate by ellipsometry'
Deere J, Serantoni M, Edler K, Hodnett BK, Wall JG, Magner E (2004) 'Measurement of the adsorption of cytochrome c onto the external surface of a thin film mesoporous silicate by ellipsometry'. LANGMUIR, 20 (2):532-536 [Details]
(2003) 'Preliminary work on the antibacterial behaviour of strontium-containing glass ionomer cements'
Guida A, Towler MR, Wall JG, Hill RG, Eramo S (2003) 'Preliminary work on the antibacterial behaviour of strontium-containing glass ionomer cements'. 22 (20):1401-1403 [Details]
(2003) 'Systemic lupus erythematosus in Portugal: Diagnosis and disease awareness from 1970-2001'
Moriarty T, O'Sullivan M, Tam A, Gonçalves RM, Wall JG (2003) 'Systemic lupus erythematosus in Portugal: Diagnosis and disease awareness from 1970-2001'. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY, 18 (10):995-999 [Details]
(2003) 'Oxidation of ABTS by silicate immobilized cytochrome c in nonaqueous solutions'
Deere J, Magner E, Wall JG, Hodnett BK (2003) 'Oxidation of ABTS by silicate immobilized cytochrome c in nonaqueous solutions'. BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, 19 (4):1238-1243 [Details]
(2003) 'Adsorption and activity of proteins onto mesoporous silica'
Deere J, Magner E, Wall JG, Hodnett BK (2003) 'Adsorption and activity of proteins onto mesoporous silica'. CATALYSIS LETTERS, 85 (01-Feb):19-23 [Details]
(2003) 'A substrate variant as a high-affinity, reversible inhibitor: insight from the X-ray structure of cilastatin bound to membrane dipeptidase'
Smyth TP, Wall JG, Nitanai Y (2003) 'A substrate variant as a high-affinity, reversible inhibitor: insight from the X-ray structure of cilastatin bound to membrane dipeptidase'. Bioorg Med Chem, 11 (6):991-998 [Details]
(2002) 'Isolation of a novel Thermus thermophilus metal efflux protein that improves E. coli growth under stress conditions'
Spada S, Pembroke JT, Wall JG (2002) 'Isolation of a novel Thermus thermophilus metal efflux protein that improves E. coli growth under stress conditions'. EXTREMOPHILES, 6 (4):301-308 [Details]
(2002) 'Mechanistic and structural features of protein adsorption onto mesoporous silicates'
Deere J, Magner E, Wall JG, Hodnett BK (2002) 'Mechanistic and structural features of protein adsorption onto mesoporous silicates'. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B, 106 (29):7340-7347 [Details]
(2001) 'Adsorption and activity of cytochrome c adsorbed onto mesoporous silicates'
Deere J, Magner E, Wall JG, Hodnett BK (2001) 'Adsorption and activity of cytochrome c adsorbed onto mesoporous silicates'. CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS, 5 :466-465 [Details]
(2001) 'Isolation and characterisation of the ylmE homologue of Thermus thermophilus'
Spada S, Gibert Y, Pembroke JT, Wall JG (2001) 'Isolation and characterisation of the ylmE homologue of Thermus thermophilus'. DNA SEQUENCES, 11 (6):507-514 [Details]
(2001) 'Cloning and characterisation of the hint homologue of the thermophile Thermus thermophilus'
Gibert Y, Spada S, Wall JG, Pembroke JT (2001) 'Cloning and characterisation of the hint homologue of the thermophile Thermus thermophilus'. DNA SEQUENCES, 12 (3):179-185 [Details]
(2000) 'Lupus support and awareness in the Republic of Ireland'
Corcoran D, Wall JG (2000) 'Lupus support and awareness in the Republic of Ireland'. IRISH MEDICAL JOURNAL, 93 (2):54-55 [Details]
(1999) 'Clinical spectrum and diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in the Republic of Ireland'
Corcoran D, O'Sullivan M, Wall JG (1999) 'Clinical spectrum and diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in the Republic of Ireland'. MEDICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH, 27 (11):769-771 [Details]
(1999) 'The hierarchy of mutations influencing the folding of antibody domains in Escherichia coli'
Wall JG, Plückthun A (1999) 'The hierarchy of mutations influencing the folding of antibody domains in Escherichia coli'. PROTEIN ENGINEERING, 12 (7):605-611 [Details]
(1995) 'Effects of overexpressing folding modulators on the in vivo folding of heterologous proteins in Escherichia coli'
Wall JG, Plückthun A. (1995) 'Effects of overexpressing folding modulators on the in vivo folding of heterologous proteins in Escherichia coli'. Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 6 (5):507-516 [DOI] [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2017) 'Woodhead Publishing Series in Biomaterials'
O’Connor IB, Wall JG (2017) 'Woodhead Publishing Series in Biomaterials' In: Functionalized cardiovascular stents. Cambridge, MA, USA: Woodhead Publishing (Elsevier). [Details]
(2011) 'Antibody Immobilization on Solid Surfaces: Methods and Applications'
Hu X, O Connor IB, Wall JG (2011) 'Antibody Immobilization on Solid Surfaces: Methods and Applications' In: Biological Interactions with Surface Charge Biomaterials. London: Royal Society of Chemistry. [Details]
(1992) 'European Biotechnology Today Intercept Andover, U.K'
Wall JG, Cunningham C, Harris WJ (1992) 'European Biotechnology Today Intercept Andover, U.K' In: [Details]

Edited Books

  Year Publication
(2017) Functionalized cardiovascular stents.
Wall JG, Podbielska H, Wawrzyńska M (Ed.). (2017) Functionalized cardiovascular stents. Cambridge, MA, USA: Woodhead Publishing (Elsevier). [Details]

Conference Poster

  Year Publication
(2011) An IVD Regeneration Strategy using Targeted Gene Delivery. Poster presentation at the 24th European Conference on Biomaterials.
Cunningham, C., Grad, S., Alini, M., Pandit, A. and Wall, JG (2011) An IVD Regeneration Strategy using Targeted Gene Delivery. Poster presentation at the 24th European Conference on Biomaterials. Dublin: Conference Poster [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2016 Fulbright Scholarship Fulbright

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
Irish Fulbright Alumni Association Member 01-JAN-16 /
Society for General Microbiology Ordinary member / Irish Section committee 01-JAN-00 /

Patents

  Patent Number Title Granted
US 7,723,072 Polypeptide factor from a thermophilic eubacterial species and use thereof in the production of functional, heterologous proteins in an expression host 25-MAY-10

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Údarás na hOllscoile, NUIG Elected member 01-FEB-16 / 31-JAN-21
Academic Planning and Resource Committee Member 01-FEB-16 / 31-JAN-21

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
1994 University of Aberdeen, Scotland PhD Molecular Immunology
1990 NUI Galway BSc Microbiology

Teaching Interests

  • My broad teaching interests lie in the fields of molecular immunology, recombinant proteins. Current courses include:

    • Recombinant proteins: expression, engineering, exploitation (4th y BSc; MSc)
    • Workings of the immune system, immune interventions (3rd y BSc)
    • Medical microbiology, incl virology (2nd y BSc; 1st y BSc)

    Current Postgraduate Students (Research)

      Student Degree Type Type
    Iain O Connor Doctorate - Structured PhD (Science) Supervisor
    Maura Tilbury Doctorate - Structured PhD (Science) Supervisor

    Modules Taught

      Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
    Sem 2 Bioprocessors and Recombinant Protein Production MI442 RPP, scale up
    Sem 1 Laboratory Project MI405 10 week lab-based research project for 4th y BSc students
    Sem 2 Problem Solving Papers 1 and 2 MI413
    Sem 2 Immunology and Recombinant Techniques MI324 Immune system, antibody engineering
    Sem 2 Protein Technology BG5104 Rec protein expression, industrial scale up
    Sem 2 Biology (Medical Microbiology) BO101 Human pathogens
    Sem 2 Microbes and the Environment (Virology) MI204 Animal viruses, life cycle

    Internal Collaborators

      Name Description of Collaboration
    Professor Abhay Pandit, CÚRAM
    Functional biomaterials / drug delivery: use of phage and peptide libraries to direct biodegradable nanospheres to specific cell types for targeted gene delivery; current applications in regeneration of degraded intervertebral disc regions (within the SFI-funded Centre for Research in Medical Devices - CÚRAM)
    Dr Anne Marie Power
    Identification, isolation, recombinant expression of marine-derived proteins of biomedical and biotechnological interest

    External Collaborators

      Name Organisation / Institute Country Description of Collaboration
    EU Epicstent Consortium Multiple
    Functionalisation of cardiovascular stents for improved in vivo performance, carried out as part of an EU Consortium. Partners Balton Sp. z o.o., Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław University of Technology, Comenius University Bratislava.
    Prof Francisco del Monte Group of Bioinspired Materials, ICCM, Madrid SPAIN
    Investigation of novel (nano)supports for protein immobilisation, sensor develoment
    Professor Patrick Johnson University of Wyoming U.S.A.
    Development of point of care diagnostic plaftforms
    Professor Xuejun Hu Dalian University CHINA
    Expression of "difficult" proteins, such as glycosylated or glyco-engineered proteins, in E. coli. Improved of expression through, e.g., metabolic and protein engineering, co-production of molecular chaperones to increase yields of aggregation-prone or glycosylated recombinant proteins of therapeutic and biotechnological interest.