Dr Sinead Loughran
Biography
Dr Sinéad Loughran is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Life and Health Sciences at Dundalk Institute of Technology, where she teaches across a range of programmes in bioscience, pharmaceutical science and biopharmaceutical science. She holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Biotechnology from Dublin City University and brings over two decades of experience in molecular biology and virology to her academic work.
Dr Loughran’s research interests include the molecular mechanisms of disease, infectious agents and protein analysis and purification. She has published extensively in these areas, contributing to both academic journals and scientific books.
Dr Loughran’s commitment to high-quality teaching is reflected in her mix of student-focused instruction, pedagogical research, involvement in recognised teaching excellence projects, community outreach and ongoing professional development aimed at enriching how science is taught and learned at DkIT.
Teaching
BSc in Pharmaceutical Science
BSc in Bioscience
BSc (Hons) in Biopharmaceutical Science (Add-On)
BSc (Hons) in Biopharmaceutical Science
Qualifications & Awards
- B.Sc (Hons) Biotechnology (First class honours)
- PhD in Molecular Biology (Expression and role of the human anti-apoptotic bfl-1 gene in Hodgkin's Lymphoma)
Research & Interests
Dr Loughran’s research spans several interconnected areas in molecular and cellular biology, particularly focusing on virus biology, cancer mechanisms, immune responses and protein science:
Virus–Host Interactions and Disease Mechanisms:
Her early work, including her PhD, explored how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) interacts with cellular proteins that regulate apoptosis (programmed cell death), especially in the context of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. This research contributed to understanding how viral factors can promote cancer cell survival by subverting normal cellular pathways.
Respiratory Virus Pathogenesis and Immune Response:
In later studies, Dr Loughran investigated influenza virus biology and its effects on the immune system, examining how influenza infection may predispose individuals to severe secondary bacterial infections and how specific immune pathways are affected by co-infections. These studies contribute to insights into virus-bacterial co-pathogenesis and host defence mechanisms.
Immune Cell Regulation and Signalling:
Some of her published work has examined how elements of the immune response, such as NK cells and T cell regulation, are influenced by cytokines and how immune signalling pathways interact during infection and inflammation.
Protein Purification and Molecular Techniques:
Dr Loughran has also been involved in methodological research on protein purification and analysis, contributing chapters to scientific texts on techniques such as: Protein chromatography and affinity-based purification methods, Quantitation of protein purity and Tagging strategies to enhance recombinant protein production.
Teaching and Learning Research:
Beyond laboratory science, she engages in research on technology-enhanced learning, investigating how tools like virtual laboratories and electronic lab notebooks can support practical science education and improve student learning outcomes. This work ties closely to her interest in student engagement and employability in scientific disciplines.
Publications
The publications listed below represent my 10 most recent works as recorded on ORCiD
Advances in Physiology Education
1 June 2025
DOI: 10.1152/advan.00227.2024
Type: Journal article
Methods in Molecular Biology
2023
Type: Book chapter
Methods in Molecular Biology
2023
Type: Book chapter
Methods in Molecular Biology
2023
Type: Book
Methods in Molecular Biology
2023
Type: Book chapter
Methods in Molecular Biology
2023
Type: Book chapter
DigitalEd 2023 Conference, Galway, 17 May 2023. Loughran ST, Kelly B, Bree RT, Drumm BT, Griffin CS, van Rossum A, Morrin A, Murphy B, Moore E, Aly M, Breslin C, Heaney F & Rooney D (2023).
2023
Type: Conference paper
European Distance & E-Learning Network (EDEN) Conference, Dublin. 18-20 June 2023. Loughran ST, Kelly B , Bree RT, Drumm BT, Griffin CS, van Rossum A, Morrin A, Murphy B, Moore E, Aly M, Breslin C, Heaney F & Rooney D (2023)
2023
Type: Conference poster
Physiological Society Conference: Innovation and updates in teaching and student education across physiology and STEM in the UK. Leeds University, UK, April 2023. Griffin CS, Drumm BT, Bree RT, Kelly B, Loughran S, van Rossum A, Morrin A, Murphy B, Moore E, Breslin C, Heaney F & Rooney Denise (2023).
2023
Type: Conference paper
PLOS ONE
13 October 2021
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258261
Type: Journal article