biomedical sciences research institute - Research - University of Ulster

Dr Victoria McGilliganResearch AssociateContact details:T: +44 (0)28 70323284v.mcgilligan@ulster.ac.ukDr McGilligan’s current research interests lie within the area of ocular immunology and disease diagnostics, havingpreviously worked for a diagnostic development company. She is currently employed as a Post Doctoral ResearchAssociate and visiting lecturer to UU, employed under an Invest NI Proof of Concept grant. This project focuseson determining biomarkers and diagnostic tests for ocular surface diseases. Dr McGilligan previously worked as aResearch Associate on a HPSS Infectious Diseases RRG Grant, “A study to compare the efficacy of two potentialdiagnostic assays: A Flourescein conjugated monoclonal antibody in vivo assay and nested real time PCR assay torapidly and accurately diagnose herpes simplex keratitis.” Dr McGilligan is also involved in a mulit-centered phase 3clinical trial along with visiting Professor Johnny Moore to test a new eye drop for dry eye syndrome. “A 3-monthstudy of the efficacy and safety of SVS20 in patients with bilateral moderate dry eye syndrome: A prospective, doublemasked,randomised, controlled, parallel-group, 3‐arm, phase III trial” sponsored by TRB Chemedica.Publications:McGilligan VE, Wallace JM, Heavey PM, Ridley DL, Rowland IR; The effect of nicotine in vitro on the integrity of tightjunctions in Caco-2 cell monolayers; Food Chem Toxicology, 45: 1593-1598, 2007McGilligan VE, Wallace JM, Heavey PM, Ridley DL, Rowland IR; Hypothesis about mechanisms through which nicotinemight exert its effect on the interdependence of inflammation and gut barrier function in ulcerative colitis; InflammatoryBowel Disease, 13: 108-115, 2007Hughes R, Kurth MJ, McGilligan V, McGlynn H, Rowland I; Effect of colonic bacterial metabolites on Caco-2 cellparacellular permeability in vitro; Nutrition & Cancer, 60: 259-266, 2008124