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Dr Karl McCullagh

B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.

Contact Details

Assistant Professor
Discipline of Physiology
Human Biology Building
University of Galway
Galway
T: 091 49 ext 4220
E: karl.mccullagh@universityofgalway.ie
 
researcher
 

Biography

Dr Karl McCullagh is a lecturer in Department of Physiology and associated with the Regenerative Medicine Institute at NUIG. He has extensive international experience working in North America, Italy and UK, on cellular mechanisms regulating muscle adaptation to innervation, injury and neuromuscular disease. His research group is now exploiting this to further understand basic mechanisms and develop therapeutic interventions for neuromuscular disease including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), using viral and non-viral methods. We are currently interested in genetically modulating and characterizing the effects of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, rectifying calcium dysregulation, and the microvasculature in mouse models of muscle disease including muscular dystrophy and muscle atrophy. He currently teaches and supervises students at undergraduate and postgraduate level on human physiology, and cell and gene therapy.

Research Interests

Muscle biology and plasticity
Neuromuscular diseases
Muscular Dystrophy
Gene therapy
Adeno-associated virus gene delivery in vivo
Electrogene transfer
 

Research Projects

  Project Start Date End Date
IRC POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP 2018 DONNA KENNEDY - VASCULAR PLASTICITY AND TARGET FOR THERAPY IN DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY 01-OCT-18 30-SEP-22
GENERAL RESEARCH ACCOUNT KARL McCULLOUGH 12-MAY-16 11-MAY-26
OLA BAHRI ROYAL EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA KARL MCCULLAGH 01-MAY-13 04-SEP-18
ADAPTING MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS FOR THERAPY IN MUSCLE DISORDERS MILL FUND PROF 2012 KARL MCCULLAGH 01-FEB-12 31-DEC-17
HRB HRA 2009 79 KARL MCCULLAGH 01-FEB-10 31-OCT-13

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2022) 'VEGF-A and FGF4 Engineered C2C12 Myoblasts and Angiogenesis in the Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane'
Kennedy DC, Wheatley AM, McCullagh KJA. (2022) 'VEGF-A and FGF4 Engineered C2C12 Myoblasts and Angiogenesis in the Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane'. Biomedicines, 10 (8):1781-1790 [DOI] [Details]
(2021) 'Microvascular Experimentation in the Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane as a Model for Screening Angiogenic Agents including from Gene-Modified Cells'
Kennedy, D. C. Coen, B. Wheatley, A. M. McCullagh, K. J. A. (2021) 'Microvascular Experimentation in the Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane as a Model for Screening Angiogenic Agents including from Gene-Modified Cells'. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences, [Details]
(2021) 'Elastin-like hydrogel stimulates angiogenesis in a severe model of critical limb ischemia (CLI): An insight into the glyco-host response'
Marsico, G; Jin, C; Abbah, SA; Brauchle, EM; Thomas, D; Rebelo, AL; Orbanic, D; Chantepie, S; Contessotto, P; Papy-Garcia, D; Rodriguez-Cabello, C; Kilcoyne, M; Schenke-Layland, K; Karlsson, NG; McCullagh, KJA; Pandit A (2021) 'Elastin-like hydrogel stimulates angiogenesis in a severe model of critical limb ischemia (CLI): An insight into the glyco-host response'. Biomaterials, 269 [DOI] [Details]
(2019) 'The panniculus carnosus muscle: A novel model of striated muscle regeneration that exhibits sex differences in the mdx mouse'
Bahri, OA,Naldaiz-Gastesi, N,Kennedy, DC,Wheatley, AM,Izeta, A,McCullagh, KJA (2019) 'The panniculus carnosus muscle: A novel model of striated muscle regeneration that exhibits sex differences in the mdx mouse'. Scientific Reports, 9 [DOI] [Details]
(2019) 'The panniculus carnosus muscle: A novel model of striated muscle regeneration that exhibits sex differences in the mdx mouse'
Bahri OA;Naldaiz-Gastesi N;Kennedy DC;Wheatley AM;Izeta A;McCullagh KJA; (2019) 'The panniculus carnosus muscle: A novel model of striated muscle regeneration that exhibits sex differences in the mdx mouse'. Scientific Reports, 9 (1) [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2018) 'The panniculus carnosus muscle: an evolutionary enigma at the intersection of distinct research fields'
Karl McCullagh (2018) 'The panniculus carnosus muscle: an evolutionary enigma at the intersection of distinct research fields'. Journal Of Anatomy, [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Endothelial nitric oxide synthase induces heat shock protein HSPA6 (HSP70B') in human arterial smooth muscle cells'
McCullagh, KJA,Cooney, R,O'Brien, T (2016) 'Endothelial nitric oxide synthase induces heat shock protein HSPA6 (HSP70B') in human arterial smooth muscle cells'. Nitric Oxide-Biology And Chemistry, 52 :41-48 [DOI] [Details]
(2014) 'Coaxing Stem Cells for Skeletal Muscle repair'
McCullagh, KJA and Perlingeiro, R (2014) 'Coaxing Stem Cells for Skeletal Muscle repair'. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, [Details]
(2013) 'Liposomal surface coatings of metal stents for efficient non-viral gene delivery to the injured vasculature'
Ganly S, Hynes SO, Sharif F, Aied A, Barron V, McCullagh K, McMahon J, McHugh P, Crowley J, Wang W, O'Brien T, Greiser U (2013) 'Liposomal surface coatings of metal stents for efficient non-viral gene delivery to the injured vasculature'. J Control Release, 167 (2):109-119 [Details]
(2012) 'Gene-eluting stents: non-viral, liposome-based gene delivery of eNOS to the blood vessel wall in vivo results in enhanced endothelialization but does not reduce restenosis in a hypercholesterolemic model'
Sharif, F,Hynes, SO,McCullagh, KJA,Ganley, S,Greiser, U,McHugh, P,Crowley, J,Barry, F,O'Brien, T (2012) 'Gene-eluting stents: non-viral, liposome-based gene delivery of eNOS to the blood vessel wall in vivo results in enhanced endothelialization but does not reduce restenosis in a hypercholesterolemic model'. Gene Therapy, 19 :321-328 [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 'Can a young muscle’s stem cell secretome prolong our lives?'
McCullagh, Karl JA (2012) 'Can a young muscle’s stem cell secretome prolong our lives?'. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 3 (3) [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2012) 'Gene-Eluting Stents: liposome-based eNOS enhances re-endothelialisation but does not prevent restenosis in a hypercholesterolemic model'
Sharif F, Hynes S, McCullagh KJA, Ganley S, Geiser U, McHugh P, Crowley J, Barry F, O'Brien T. (2012) 'Gene-Eluting Stents: liposome-based eNOS enhances re-endothelialisation but does not prevent restenosis in a hypercholesterolemic model'. Gene Therapy. Impact Factor 4.8, [Details]
(2011) 'Gene-eluting stents: non-viral, liposome-based gene delivery of eNOS to the blood vessel wall in vivo results in enhanced endothelialization but does not reduce restenosis in a hypercholesterolemic model'
Sharif F, Hynes SO, McCullagh KJ, Ganley S, Greiser U, McHugh P, Crowley J, Barry F, O'Brien T. (2011) 'Gene-eluting stents: non-viral, liposome-based gene delivery of eNOS to the blood vessel wall in vivo results in enhanced endothelialization but does not reduce restenosis in a hypercholesterolemic model'. Gene Therapy, [Details]
(2010) 'Syncoilin modulates peripherin filament networks and is necessary for large- calibre motor neurons'
WT Clarke, B Edwards, KJA McCullagh, MW Kemp, C Moorwood, DL Sherman, M Burgress and KE Davies. (2010) 'Syncoilin modulates peripherin filament networks and is necessary for large- calibre motor neurons'. Journal of Cell Science. Cover Issue (Impact factor:6.1), 123 :2543-2552 [Details]
(2008) 'Analysis of skeletal muscle function in the C57BL6/SV129 syncoilin knockout mouse'
Karl JA McCullagh, Ben Edwards, Matthew W. Kemp, Laura C. Giles, Matthew Burges and Kay E. Davies (2008) 'Analysis of skeletal muscle function in the C57BL6/SV129 syncoilin knockout mouse'. Mammalian Genome (Impact factor: 2.94), 19 (5):339-351 [Details]
(2007) 'Intermediate filament-like protein syncoilin in normal and myopathic striated muscle. Neuromuscular Disorders'
Karl JA McCullagh, Ben Edwards, Richard M. Lovering, Ellen Poon, Denise Paulin and Kay E Davies. (2007) 'Intermediate filament-like protein syncoilin in normal and myopathic striated muscle. Neuromuscular Disorders'. Neuromuscular Disorders (Impact factor:2.98), 17 ((11-12)):970-979 [Details]
(2007) 'A naturally occurring calcineurin variant inhibits FoxO activity and enhances skeletal muscle regeneration'
Lara-Pezzi E, Paul A, Winn N, McCullagh KJA, Slominsky E, Paola Santini M, Mourkioti F, Fukushima S, Suzuki K and Rosenthal N. (2007) 'A naturally occurring calcineurin variant inhibits FoxO activity and enhances skeletal muscle regeneration'. J. Cell. Biol (Impact factor:9.57), 179 (6):1205-1218 [Details]
(2005) 'Utrophin upregulation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy'
Hirst, RC, McCullagh, KJA., Davies KE (2005) 'Utrophin upregulation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy'. Acta Myologica Review, 24 (3):209-216 [Details]
(2005) 'Muscular dystrophies related to the cytoskeleton/nuclear envelope'
Nowak K, McCullagh K, Poon E, Davies KE. (2005) 'Muscular dystrophies related to the cytoskeleton/nuclear envelope'. Novartis Found Symp discussion 112-7, 227-30. Review, :227-230 [Details]
(2004) 'NFAT is a nerve activity sensor in skeletal muscle and controls activity-dependent myosin switching'
McCullagh KJ, Calabria E, Pallafacchina G, Ciciliot S, Serrano AL, Argentini C, Kalhovde JM, Lomo T, Schiaffino S (2004) 'NFAT is a nerve activity sensor in skeletal muscle and controls activity-dependent myosin switching'. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (Impact factor 9.4), 20 (101(29)):10590-10595 [Details]
(2001) 'Localized IGF-1 transgene expression sustains hypertrophy and regeneration in senescent skeletal muscle'
Musaro, A., McCullagh, K., Paul, A., Houghton, L., Dobrowolny, G., Molinaro, M., Barton, E.R., Sweeney, H.L. : Rosenthal, N. (2001) 'Localized IGF-1 transgene expression sustains hypertrophy and regeneration in senescent skeletal muscle'. Nature Genetics . (Impact factor 34.3), 27 (2):195-200 [Details]
(2000) 'Revisiting calcineurin and human heart failure'
Tsao L, Neville C, Musaro A, McCullagh KJA, Rosenthal N (2000) 'Revisiting calcineurin and human heart failure'. Nature Medicine (Impact factor 27.1), 6 (1):2-3 [Details]
(1999) 'IGF-1 induces skeletal myocyte hypertrophy through calcineurin in association with GATA-2 and NF-ATc1'
Musarò, Antonio, Karl J.A. McCullagh, Frank Naya, Eric N.Olson and Nadia Rosenthal (1999) 'IGF-1 induces skeletal myocyte hypertrophy through calcineurin in association with GATA-2 and NF-ATc1'. Nature (Impact factor 34.5), 400 (6744):581-585 [Details]
(1998) 'Training intensity dependent and tissue specific increases in lactate uptake and MCT1 in heart and muscle'
Baker, S.K., McCullagh, K.J.A., Bonen, A. (1998) 'Training intensity dependent and tissue specific increases in lactate uptake and MCT1 in heart and muscle'. Journal of Applied Physiology, 84 :987-994 [Details]
(1998) 'Short-term training increases human muscle MCT1 and femoral venous lactate in relation to muscle lactate'
Bonen, A., K. J. A. McCullagh, C. T. Putman, E. Hultman, N. L. Jones, G. J. F. Heigenhauser. (1998) 'Short-term training increases human muscle MCT1 and femoral venous lactate in relation to muscle lactate'. American Journal of Physiology (Endocrinol. Metab.), 274 :E102-E107 [Details]
(1997) 'Cellular and subcellular expression of the monocarboxylate transporter MCT1 in rat heart'
Johannsson, E.,Nagelhus, E. A., McCullagh, K. J. A., Sejersted, O. M.,Blackstad, T.W.,Bonen, A., : Ottersen, O. P. (1997) 'Cellular and subcellular expression of the monocarboxylate transporter MCT1 in rat heart'. Circulation Research, 80 :400-407 [Details]
(1997) 'Chronic electrical stimulation increases MCT1 and lactate uptake in red and white skeletal muscle'
McCullagh, K. J. A., Poole, R. C., Halestrap, A. P., Tipton, K. F., O'Brien, M., : Bonen, A. (1997) 'Chronic electrical stimulation increases MCT1 and lactate uptake in red and white skeletal muscle'. American Journal of Physiology, (Endocrinol. Metab.)(Impact factor: 4.4), 273 :e239-e246 [Details]
(1996) 'Chronic muscle stimulation increases lactate transport in rat skeletal muscle'
McCullagh, K. J. A., Juel, C., O'Brien, M. : Bonen, A. ( (1996) 'Chronic muscle stimulation increases lactate transport in rat skeletal muscle'. Molecular Cellular Biochemistry, 156 :51-57 [Details]
(1996) 'Reciprocal GLUT1 and GLUT4 expression and glucose transport in denervated muscles'
Handberg, A., Megeney, L. A., McCullagh, K. J. A., Kayser, L. : Bonen, A. (1996) 'Reciprocal GLUT1 and GLUT4 expression and glucose transport in denervated muscles'. American Journal of Physiology (Endocrinol. Metab. 34), 271 :E50-E57 [Details]
(1996) 'Effect of overexpressing GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 on insulin- and contraction-stimulated glucose transport in muscle'
Johannsson, E., McCullagh, K. J. A., Han, X. X., Fernando, P. K., Jensen, J., Dahl, H. A. : Bonen, A. (1996) 'Effect of overexpressing GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 on insulin- and contraction-stimulated glucose transport in muscle'. American Journal of Physiology (Endocrinol. Metab. 34), 271 :E547-E555 [Details]
(1996) 'The role of the lactate transporter (MCT1) in skeletal muscles'
McCullagh, K. J. A., Poole, R. C., Halestrap, A. P., O'Brien, M. : Bonen, A. (1996) 'The role of the lactate transporter (MCT1) in skeletal muscles'. American Journal of Physiology.(Endocrinol. Metab. 34), 271 :e143-e150 [Details]
(1995) 'Reduced lactate transport in denervated rat skeletal muscle'
McCullagh, K. J. A. : Bonen, A. (1995) 'Reduced lactate transport in denervated rat skeletal muscle'. American Journal of Physiology (Reg. Integ. Comp. Physiol. 37), 268 :R884-R888 [Details]
(1995) 'L(+)-lactate binding to a protein in rat skeletal muscle plasma membranes. '
McCullagh, K. J. A. : Bonen, A. (1995) 'L(+)-lactate binding to a protein in rat skeletal muscle plasma membranes. '. Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology, 20 :112-124 [Details]
(1994) 'Effects of exercise on lactate transport into mouse skeletal muscles'
Bonen, A. : McCullagh, K. J. A. ( (1994) 'Effects of exercise on lactate transport into mouse skeletal muscles'. Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology, 19 :275-285 [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2015) 1st NUIG Microcirculation & Angiogenesis Symposium
BAHRI OA, WHEATLEY AM, McCULLAGH KJA (2015) Morphometric and capillary analyses of panniculus carnosus skeletal muscle in the mdx mouse 1st NUIG Microcirculation & Angiogenesis Symposium [Details]
(2015) Cell Symposia: Exercise Metabolism
Bahri, O.A.,McCarthy,S.,Gao,G. and McCullagh, K.J.A. (2015) Adenoassociated viral delivery of serca2a into mdx hindlimb skeletal muscles . In: Cell eds. Cell Symposia: Exercise Metabolism Amsterdam, The Netherlands, , 12-JUL-15 - 14-JUL-15 [Details]
(2013) Royal Academy of Medicine Ireland: Biomedical Science Meeting
McCarthy, SD McCullagh, KJA (2013) Gene Therapy for Muscular Dystrophy in an mdx mouse model Royal Academy of Medicine Ireland: Biomedical Science Meeting [Details]

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
(2013) American College of Sports Medicine 60th Annual Meeting & 4th World Congress on Exercise is Medicine,
Dr Richard Lovering (USA), Dr Karl McCullagh (IRE), Dr. Brent Baker (USA) (2013) Symposium: Functional Outcomes in Skeletal Muscle Disorders: Integrated Biological Evidence. [Invited Oral Presentation], American College of Sports Medicine 60th Annual Meeting & 4th World Congress on Exercise is Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA , 28-MAY-13 - 01-JUN-13. [Details]

Abstract

  Year Publication
(2016) Gene Therapy for Muscular Dystrophy in an mdx Mouse Model.
McCarthy, SD,McCullagh, KJA (2016) Gene Therapy for Muscular Dystrophy in an mdx Mouse Model. Abstract [Details]
(2016) Adeno-Associated Viral Delivery of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2A) Pump into the Pre-Clinical mdx Mouse Model of Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy.
Bahri, OA,McCarthy, SD,McCullagh, KJA (2016) Adeno-Associated Viral Delivery of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2A) Pump into the Pre-Clinical mdx Mouse Model of Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy. Abstract [Details]

ANET/COS

  Year Publication
(2016) Highly regenerative panniculus carnosus skeletal muscle in the pre-clinical mdx model of DMD.
Bahri, OA,Nalaiz-Gastesi, N,Wheatley, AM,Izeta, A,McCullagh, KJA (2016) Highly regenerative panniculus carnosus skeletal muscle in the pre-clinical mdx model of DMD. ANET/COS [Details]

Editorial

  Year Publication
(2012) Can a young muscle's stem cell secretome prolong our lives?.
McCullagh, KJA (2012) Can a young muscle's stem cell secretome prolong our lives?. LONDON: BIOMED CENTRAL LTD Editorial [DOI] [Details]
(2012) Can a young muscle's stem cell secretome prolong our lives?.
McCullagh, KJA (2012) Can a young muscle's stem cell secretome prolong our lives?. Editorial [DOI] [Details]

Meeting

  Year Publication
(2013) Gene delivery and targeting nos as therapy for muscular dystrophy.
McCarthy, SD,McCullagh, KJA (2013) Gene delivery and targeting nos as therapy for muscular dystrophy. Meeting [Details]

Reviews

  Year Publication
(2018) The panniculus carnosus muscle: an evolutionary enigma at the intersection of distinct research fields.
Naldaiz-Gastesi, N;Bahri, OA;de Munain, AL;McCullagh, KJA;Izeta, A (2018) The panniculus carnosus muscle: an evolutionary enigma at the intersection of distinct research fields. HOBOKEN: WILEY Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2015) Coaxing stem cells for skeletal muscle repair.
McCullagh, KJA,Perlingeiro, RCR (2015) Coaxing stem cells for skeletal muscle repair. Reviews [DOI] [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2018 Irish Research Council PhD Scholarship Programme Irish Research Council
2013 PhD Scholarship Funding Saudi Arabia Scholarship programme
2010 HRB Health Research Award Health Research Board Ireland
2000 Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship Marie Curie Postdoctoral fellowship
2000 EMBO Postdoctoral Longterm Fellowship European Molecular Biological Organization
1996 Trinity College Dublin Postgraduate Award Trinity College Dublin
1993 Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology Graduate Research award Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology
1990 Dalhousie University Graduate Fellowship Dalhousie University, Canada
1990 Dalhousie University Teaching Assistantship Dalhousie University, Canada

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
The Physiological Society Academic Member 01-JAN-11 /

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Department of Physiology Research Committee Chair 01-SEP-19 /
School of Medicine Research Committee Member 01-JAN-18 /
Genetically Modified Organisms Committee (University of Galway) Member 01-JAN-12 /

Languages

  Language
Italian

Community Engagement

  Title Type From / To
Other NUIG Junior Rugby Academy Coach 01-SEP-18 /
Other Galway Bay Rugby Club_Coach 01-SEP-12 / 31-MAY-18

Teaching Interests

Skeletal muscle physiology 
Molecular Physiology of Muscle
Cardiovascular Physiology
Gene and cell therapy
Molecular Biology
Exercise Physiology

Recent Postgraduate Students

  Graduation Name Degree Primary Supervisor
2019 Grazia Marsico PhD
2018 Ola Bahri PhD Y
2018 Jessica Talbot M.Sc in Regenerative Medicine Y
2016 Jaspreet Kaur M.Sc in Regenerative Medicine Y
2014 Jessica Nulty M.Sc in Regenerative Medicine Y
2013 Enda Clinton M.Sc in Regenerative Medicine Y
2012 Ruth Concannon M.Sc in Regenerative Medicine
2010 Waq UI Hassan M.Sc in Regenerative Medicine
2009 Orla Hughes M.Sc in Regenerative Medicine

Current Postgraduate Students (Research)

  Student Degree Type Type
Donna Kennedy Doctorate - Structured Ph.D (Medicine) Supervisor
Jin Zhang Doctorate - Structured Ph.D (Medicine) Supervisor

Modules Taught

  Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
Semester 1 Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology SI326 Lecturer
2nd Semester Cardiovascular Physiology SI208 Module Coordinator & Principal Lecturer
1st Semester Introduction to Exercise Physiology (10ECT) ET1500 Module Coordinator, 10 ECT Module
1st Semester Human Body Function SI317
1st Semester Principles of Physiology (10ECT) MD137 Module Coordinator, 10ECT Module
Semester 1 & 2 Research Project SI435 Semester 1: Literature Review; Semester 2: Wet lab Project, Theses and Oral Presentation
1st Semester Therapeutics: Gene & Cell Therapy SI436 Module Coordinator & Lecturer
1st Semester Health & Applied Biosciences 2 NU2200 Lecturing muscle physiology to trainee Nurses
2nd Semester MSc Regenerative Medicine 1MSR1 Muscle Regeneration

Internal Collaborators

  Name Description of Collaboration
Internal Collaborators
Dr Daniel O'Toole, NCBES / REMEDI Prof. Tim O'Brien, REMEDI and Dept. of Medicine. Prof. Tony Wheatley, Dept. of Physiology Prof. Afshin Samali, Dept. of Biochemistry Prof. Peter Dockery, Dept. of Anatomy,Dr Stephen Elliman, Orbsen Therapeutics 

External Collaborators

  Name Organisation / Institute Country Description of Collaboration
External Collaborators Erasmus Medical Centre, University of Rotterdam NETHERLANDS
Providing access and training in high resolution in vivo imaging of the microcirculation in animal models of disease Prof. George Dickson, Chair of Molecular Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences Royal Holloway - University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK.http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Biological-Sciences/AcademicStaff/Dickson/ Dr. Takis Athanasopoulos, Ph.DResearch Scientist, CAVD member, RHULand Lecturer in Biotechnology University of Wolverhampton.Web links: http://www.rhul.ac.uk/; http://www.cavd.org