Dr Grace McCormack

BSc, PhD

 
researcher
 

Biography

History
Dec 2015-present:     Personal Professor in Zoology, Zoology, NUIG
Nov 2004-Dec 2015:  Senior Lecturer, Zoology Dept. NUIG, Galway, Ireland. 
Apr 2010-Mar 2015:   Head of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, NUIG.
Oct 2001-Sept 2004:  Lecturer, Biology Dept. NUI, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
Mar 2000- Oct. 2001: Postdoctoral Molecular Biologist, Health Protection Agency, London
Nov 1997- Mar 2000:  Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Zoology Dept., NHM, London, UK. 
June 1998:                  PhD Zoology  University College Galway
Oct 1993:                    BSc Zoology, University College Galway.

Research Interests

My group are interested in evolution. We explore evolutionary relationships at different taxonomic levels and in different organisms. The main projects currently running in the lab are focused on the evolution of marine sponges and honeybees.

Sponge  Research: We include approaches/information that will inform our understanding of evolution, e.g. ultrastructure of cells and tissues using electron microscopy, bioactivity and the types of chemical compounds produced by sponges, the types and functional roles of microbes living inside sponges, the genes and proteins used by sponges to make their skeletons. We now also include the use of OMICS (transcriptomics, genomics, and with collaborators, metabolomics) both for systematics and in the search for novel gene clusters coding for novel chemicals that may be of pharmacological use.

Honeybee Research: We use multiple molecular approaches to understand the population genetics of the bees in Ireland showing that pure Apis mellifera mellifera is still widespread in Ireland. We have found many hundreds of honeybee colonies living in the wild over multiple years and are carrying out further study on these to determine how they can survive in the presence of varroa and its viruses without chemical treatment. We have been investigating the plants that bees feed on, and how they may be linked to microbiome diversity and honeybee health. Finally we have introduced the use of genomics data science to investigate further questions on detecting hybridisation and genomic signatures of selection.

PhD Students
Recently submitted
Maria Vittoria Marra PhD Student (Tony Ryan Research Fellowship)
Selective bioactivity has been indicated in several marine sponges collected in Ireland. In an effort to understand the origin and role of bioactive compounds in these sponges my project has the following aims in five Haliclona species of known phylogenetic relatedness (Haliclona indistincta, H. viscosa, H. simulans, H. cinerea and H. oculata):
•Characterize through multiple approaches including electron microscopy & next generation sequencing, possible prokaryotic and eukaryotic sponge symbionts in these target species in time and space. 
•Investigate the functional role of suspected symbionts and of sponge “cells with inclusions”, especially as regards the production of compounds of interest. 
•Investigate the origin and nature of the ‘mucus’ of this sponge using multiple approaches

Recently submitted

  Jose Maria Aguilar-Camacho  PhD Student (Hardiman Research Scholarship)         
Biomineralization is the process by which organisms make inorganic structures enzymatically (such as sponges, corals and diatoms). Marine sponges produce spicules made of silica or calcium carbonate. These structures form the internal skeleton of the sponge, which is variable among species and form the basis of the traditional classification based on morphology. My PhD project is focused on the evolution and development of the skeleton of selected Irish haplosclerid sponges and towards the development of novel biomaterials. 

Maria Belinda A. Longakit  PhD (NUI Galway College of Science Fellowship)
PhD Topic: Evolutionary relationships of marine Haplosclerida inferred from molecular, morphological and ultrastructural data
Inconsistencies between morphological and molecular classification of sponges in the Order Haplosclerida are common.  My aim is to find additional characters particularly from sponge ultrastructure and use them to find support for evolutionary relationships suggested by other data.  I will extend the numbers of species sequenced for currently poorly sampled clades and I will re-examine problematic species in the phylogenetic tree constructed from molecular data focusing on their morphology and ultrastructure. I will ultimately propose new taxonomic revisions and describe additional species.

Keith Browne PhD Student (Tony Ryan Research Scholarship & Irish Research Council Fellowship holder)
Contact Details;  Zoology, Ryan Institute & School of Natural Sciences
Phone: 353 (0)91 493195;  
Fax: 353 (0)91 525005  Email: K.BROWNE4atnuigalway.ie        
The mite Varroa destructor is largely responsible for the catastrophic reduction in viable colonies of the Dark Northern European honeybee Apis mellifera mellifera. Furthermore, hybridisation with imported sub-species is thought to have altered the genetic integrity of this bee to the point where it is now considered extinct across most of Europe but Ireland remains a stronghold for pure forms of this subspecies.  This subspecies, also known as the Dark Northern honeybee, is adapted to colder, wetter weather and a shorter foraging season compared to the southern sub-species. These adaptations allow the production of honey in northern Europe and efficient pollination of crops and wild flora.   My PhD research focuses on the adaptive evolution of this honeybee including how some bees display resistance/tolerance to parasitism by Varroa. Observed colony traits and local environmental conditions, combined with genomics, genotyping and morphometric analysis of the bees will be used to determine those strains & traits offering greatest tolerance to Varroa whilst retaining local adaptations.  This information will be employed to guide a breeding programme for Varroa resistant native Irish honeybees.

Kenneth Sandoval PhD Student (Marie Curie ITN fellowship holder as part of IGNITE project)
Contact Details;  Zoology, Ryan Institute & School of Natural Sciences
Phone: 353 (0)91 493195;   Email: k.sandoval1atnuigalway.ie
Haplosclerid sponges produce a range of bioactive compounds, with many different potential pharmacological uses. This project focuses on applying an OMICS approach to discover biosynthetic gene clusters potentially responsible for 3 alkylpyridinium polymers restricted to a group of related sponges. The project includes the sequencing of sponge genomes and the expression of candidate genes as well as consideration of the evolutionary origins of such compounds and genes.

Stephen Smith PhD Student (SFI Centre for Research Training in Genomics Data Science ) 
This project applies genomics data science to the honeybee population in Ireland to further investigate patterns of hybridisation and to detect genomic signatures of selection relating to survival mechanisms in the presence of the Varroa mite. The project includes generation and analysis of genome data from both wild and managed colonies. The student will also apply data science techniques to develop a bespoke website to handle the input of different types of data relating to the monitoring of wild colonies and the development of a breeding platform for beekeepers.

Research Projects

  Project Start Date End Date
Monitoring the potential anthropogenic and natural change to Kinsale Harbour and Bandon estuary system 01-JUN-18 31-MAY-23
The genetic and environmental basis for pathogen tolerance in the Irish honey bee population 01-OCT-15 30-SEP-20
IGNITE - Comparative genomics of non-model invertebrates 01-JAN-18 31-DEC-21
EBB - Enhancing biodiversity and the natural cultural assets (Interreg) 16-OCT-17 15-APR-21

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2021) 'New records of Demospongiae (Porifera) from Reserva Marina El Pelado (Santa Elena, Ecuador), with description of Tedania (Tedania) ecuadoriensis sp. nov'
Karla B. Jaramillo, Báslavi Cóndor-Luján , Belinda Longakit , Jenny Rodriguez , Olivier P. Thomas , Grace McCormack , Eduardo Hajdu (2021) 'New records of Demospongiae (Porifera) from Reserva Marina El Pelado (Santa Elena, Ecuador), with description of Tedania (Tedania) ecuadoriensis sp. nov'. Zookeys, 1011 :101-120 [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'Can introgression in M-lineage honey bees be detected by abdominal colour patterns?'
Henriques, D,Lopes, AR,Ferrari, R,Neves, CJ,Quaresma, A,Browne, KA,McCormack, GP,Pinto, MA (2020) 'Can introgression in M-lineage honey bees be detected by abdominal colour patterns?'. Apidologie, [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'Investigation of free-living honey bee colonies in Ireland'
Browne, KA,Hassett, J,Geary, M,Moore, E,Henriques, D,Soland-Reckeweg, G,Ferrari, R,Mac Loughlin, E,O'Brien, E,O'Driscoll, S,Young, P,Pinto, MA,McCormack, GP (2020) 'Investigation of free-living honey bee colonies in Ireland'. Journal Of Apicultural Research, [DOI] [Details]
(2019) 'Marine Fungi from the Sponge Grantia compressa: Biodiversity, Chemodiversity, and Biotechnological Potential'
Bovio E;Garzoli L;Poli A;Luganini A;Villa P;Musumeci R;McCormack GP;Cocuzza CE;Gribaudo G;Mehiri M;Varese GC; (2019) 'Marine Fungi from the Sponge Grantia compressa: Biodiversity, Chemodiversity, and Biotechnological Potential'. Marine Drugs, 17 (4) [DOI] [Details]
(2019) 'Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae)'
Morrow C, Cardenas P, Boury-Esnault N, Picton B, McCormack GP, van Soest R, Collins A, Redmond N, Maggs C, Sigwort J and Allcock LA. (2019) 'Integrating morphological and molecular taxonomy with the revised concept of Stelligeridae (Porifera: Demospongiae)'. Zoological Journal Of The Linnean Society, 187 (1):31-81 [DOI] [Details]
(2019) 'Silicatein expression in Haliclona indistincta (Phylum Porifera, Order Haplosclerida) at different developmental stages'
Aguilar-Camacho, JM,McCormack, GP (2019) 'Silicatein expression in Haliclona indistincta (Phylum Porifera, Order Haplosclerida) at different developmental stages'. Development Genes And Evolution, 229 :35-41 [DOI] [Details]
(2019) 'Insights gained from the chemical composition of spicules in Haplosclerida (Porifera, Demospongiae)'
Aguilar-Camacho, JM,McCormack, GP,Longakit, MB,Marra, MV,Morrison, L (2019) 'Insights gained from the chemical composition of spicules in Haplosclerida (Porifera, Demospongiae)'. Marine Biology Research, [DOI] [Details]
(2018) 'The sponge microbiome project (vol 6, pg 1, 2017)'
Moitinho-Silva, L;Nielsen, S;Amir, A;Gonzalez, A;Ackermann, GL;Cerrano, C;Astudillo-Garcia, C;Easson, C;Sipkema, D;Liu, F;Steinert, G;Kotoulas, G;McCormack, GP;Feng, GF;Bell, JJ;Vicente, J;Bjork, JR;Montoya, JM;Olson, JB;Reveillaud, J;Steindler, L;Pineda, MC;Marra, MV;Ilan, M;Taylor, MW;Polymenakou, P;Erwin, PM;Schupp, PJ;Simister, RL;Knight, R;Thacker, RW;Costa, R;Hill, RT;Lopez-Legentil, S;Dailianis, T;Ravasi, T;Hentschel, U;Li, ZY;Webster, NS;Thomas, T (2018) 'The sponge microbiome project (vol 6, pg 1, 2017)'. Gigascience, 7 [DOI] [Details]
(2018) 'Evolution of the main skeleton-forming genes in sponges (phylum Porifera) with special focus on the marine Haplosclerida (class Demospongiae)'
Aguilar Camacho J-M, Doonan L, McCormack GP (2018) 'Evolution of the main skeleton-forming genes in sponges (phylum Porifera) with special focus on the marine Haplosclerida (class Demospongiae)'. Molecular Phylogenetics And Evolution, [Details]
(2018) 'A new species of Hymeraphia Bowerbank, 1864 (Axinellida: Raspailiidae)from a deep-water canyon southwest off Ireland'
Morrow C, Allcock LA, McCormack GP (2018) 'A new species of Hymeraphia Bowerbank, 1864 (Axinellida: Raspailiidae)from a deep-water canyon southwest off Ireland'. Zootaxa, 4466 (1):61-68 [DOI] [Details]
(2018) 'The culturable mycobiota associated with three Atlantic sponges, including two new species: Thelebolus balaustiformis and T. spongiae'
Bovio E, Garzoli L, Poli A, Prigione V, Firsova D, McCormack GP, Varese GC (2018) 'The culturable mycobiota associated with three Atlantic sponges, including two new species: Thelebolus balaustiformis and T. spongiae'. 1 :141-167 [Details]
(2018) 'Assessing the Zoantharian Diversity of the Tropical Eastern Pacific through an Integrative Approach'
Jaramillo, KB;Reverter, M;Guillen, PO;McCormack, G;Rodriguez, J;Sinniger, F;Thomas, OP (2018) 'Assessing the Zoantharian Diversity of the Tropical Eastern Pacific through an Integrative Approach'. Scientific Reports, 8 [DOI] [Details]
(2018) 'High sample throughput genotyping for estimating C-lineage introgression in the dark honeybee: an accurate and cost-effective SNP-based tool'
Henriques, D,Browne, KA,Barnett, MW,Parejo, M,Kryger, P,Freeman, TC,Munoz, I,Garnery, L,Highet, F,Jonhston, JS,McCormack, GP,Pinto, MA (2018) 'High sample throughput genotyping for estimating C-lineage introgression in the dark honeybee: an accurate and cost-effective SNP-based tool'. Scientific Reports, 8 [DOI] [Details]
(2018) 'Bio-invasive ascidians in Ireland: A threat for the shellfish industry but also a source of high added value products'
Palanisamy, SK,Thomas, OP,McCormack, GP (2018) 'Bio-invasive ascidians in Ireland: A threat for the shellfish industry but also a source of high added value products'. Bioengineered, 9 :55-60 [DOI] [Details]
(2018) 'A significant pure population of the dark European honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) remains in Ireland'
Hassett, J,Browne, KA,McCormack, GP,Moore, E,Soland, G,Geary, M,Native Irish Honey Bee Soc (2018) 'A significant pure population of the dark European honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) remains in Ireland'. Journal Of Apicultural Research, 57 :337-350 [DOI] [Details]
(2017) 'Predicting the HMA-LMA Status in Marine Sponges by Machine Learning'
Moitinho-Silva, L,Steinert, G,Nielsen, S,Hardoim, CCP,Wu, YC,McCormack, GP,Lopez-Legentil, S,Marchant, R,Webster, N,Thomas, T,Hentschel, U (2017) 'Predicting the HMA-LMA Status in Marine Sponges by Machine Learning'. Frontiers In Microbiology, 8 [DOI] [Details]
(2017) 'The sponge microbiome project'
Moitinho-Silva, L,Nielsen, S,Amir, A,Gonzalez, A,Ackermann, GL,Cerrano, C,Astudillo-Garcia, C,Easson, C,Sipkema, D,Liu, F,Steinert, G,Kotoulas, G,McCormack, GP,Feng, GF,Bell, JJ,Vicente, J,Bjork, JR,Montoya, JM,Olson, JB,Reveillaud, J,Steindler, L,Pineda, MC,Marra, MV,Ilan, M,Taylor, MW,Polymenakou, P,Erwin, PM,Schupp, PJ,Simister, RL,Knight, R,Thacker, RW,Costa, R,Hill, RT,Lopez-Legentil, S,Dailianis, T,Ravasi, T,Hentschel, U,Li, ZY,Webster, NS,Thomas, T (2017) 'The sponge microbiome project'. Gigascience, 6 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Does the Chemical Diversity of the Order Haplosclerida (Phylum Porifera: Class Demospongia) Fit with Current Taxonomic Classification?'
Tribalat, MA;Marra, MV;McCormack, GP;Thomas, OP (2016) 'Does the Chemical Diversity of the Order Haplosclerida (Phylum Porifera: Class Demospongia) Fit with Current Taxonomic Classification?'. Planta Medica, 82 :843-856 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'Sulfated Steroid–Amino Acid Conjugates from the Irish Marine Sponge Polymastia boletiformis'
Smyrniotopoulos V, Rae M, Soldatou S, Ding Y,Wolff CW, McCormack GP, Coleman CM, Ferreira D and Tasdemir D. (2015) 'Sulfated Steroid–Amino Acid Conjugates from the Irish Marine Sponge Polymastia boletiformis'. Marine Drugs, 13 :1632-1646 [Details]
(2015) 'Characterizing the Diverse Mutational Pathways Associated with R5-Tropic Maraviroc Resistance: HIV-1 That Uses the Drug-Bound CCR5 Coreceptor'
Jiang, XW,Feyertag, F,Meehan, CJ,McCormack, GP,Travers, SA,Craig, C,Westby, M,Lewis, M,Robertson, DL (2015) 'Characterizing the Diverse Mutational Pathways Associated with R5-Tropic Maraviroc Resistance: HIV-1 That Uses the Drug-Bound CCR5 Coreceptor'. J Virol, 89 :11457-11472 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'The Contribution of William King to the Early Development of Palaeoanthropology'
Murray J, Nasheuer HP, Seoighe C, McCormack GP, Williams DM, Harper DAT (2015) 'The Contribution of William King to the Early Development of Palaeoanthropology'. Irish Journal Of Earth Sciences, 33 :1-16 [Details]
(2014) 'Coreceptor Usage, Diversity, and Divergence in Drug-Naive and Drug-Exposed Individuals from Malawi, Infected with HIV-1 Subtype C for More Than 20 Years'
Seager, I,Travers, SA,Leeson, MD,Crampin, AC,French, N,Glynn, JR,McCormack, GP (2014) 'Coreceptor Usage, Diversity, and Divergence in Drug-Naive and Drug-Exposed Individuals from Malawi, Infected with HIV-1 Subtype C for More Than 20 Years'. Aids Research And Human Retroviruses, 30 :975-983 [DOI] [Details]
(2014) 'QTrim: a novel tool for the quality trimming of sequence reads generated using the Roche/454 sequencing platform'
Shrestha, RK,Lubinsky, B,Bansode, VB,Moinz, MBJ,McCormack, GP,Travers, SA (2014) 'QTrim: a novel tool for the quality trimming of sequence reads generated using the Roche/454 sequencing platform'. BMC Bioinformatics, 15 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Composition and temporal variation of the algal assemblage associated with the haplosclerid sponge Haliclona indistincta (Bowerbank)'
Moniz, MBJ,Rindi, F,Stephens, K,Maggi, E,Collins, P,McCormack, GP (2013) 'Composition and temporal variation of the algal assemblage associated with the haplosclerid sponge Haliclona indistincta (Bowerbank)'. Aquatic Botany, 105 :50-53 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Marine bioactivity in Irish waters'
Rae, M,Folch, H,Moniz, MBJ,Wolff, CW,McCormack, GP,Rindi, F,Johnson, MP (2013) 'Marine bioactivity in Irish waters'. Phytochemistry Reviews, 12 :555-565 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Ultrastructure of the Ciliated Cells of the Free-Swimming Larva, and Sessile Stages, of the Marine Sponge Haliclona indistincta (Demospongiae: Haplosclerida)'
Stephens, KM,Ereskovsky, A,Lalor, P,McCormack, GP (2013) 'Ultrastructure of the Ciliated Cells of the Free-Swimming Larva, and Sessile Stages, of the Marine Sponge Haliclona indistincta (Demospongiae: Haplosclerida)'. Journal Of Morphology, 274 :1263-1276 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Reproductive cycle and larval characteristics of the sponge Haliclona indistincta (Porifera: Demospongiae)'
Stephens, KMM,Galvin, J,Lawless, A,McCormack, GP (2013) 'Reproductive cycle and larval characteristics of the sponge Haliclona indistincta (Porifera: Demospongiae)'. Journal Of The Marine Biological Association Of The United Kingdom, 93 :899-907 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Characterizing the emergence and persistence of drug resistant mutations in HIV-1 subtype C infections using 454 ultra deep pyrosequencing'
Bansode, V,McCormack, GP,Crampin, AC,Ngwira, B,Shrestha, RK,French, N,Glynn, JR,Travers, SA (2013) 'Characterizing the emergence and persistence of drug resistant mutations in HIV-1 subtype C infections using 454 ultra deep pyrosequencing'. BMC Infectious Diseases, 13 [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 'HIV Type 1 Mutational Patterns in HIV Type 1 Subtype C-Infected Long-Term Survivors in Karonga District Malawi: Further Analysis and Correction'
Seager, I,Leeson, MD,Crampin, AC,Mulawa, D,French, N,Glynn, JR,Travers, SAA,McCormack, GP (2012) 'HIV Type 1 Mutational Patterns in HIV Type 1 Subtype C-Infected Long-Term Survivors in Karonga District Malawi: Further Analysis and Correction'. Aids Research And Human Retroviruses, 28 :308-313 [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Drug Resistance Mutations in Drug-Naive HIV Type 1 Subtype C-Infected Individuals from Rural Malawi'
Bansode, V,Drebert, ZJ,Travers, SAA,Banda, E,Molesworth, A,Crampin, A,Ngwira, B,French, N,Glynn, JR,McCormack, GP (2011) 'Drug Resistance Mutations in Drug-Naive HIV Type 1 Subtype C-Infected Individuals from Rural Malawi'. Aids Research And Human Retroviruses, 27 :439-444 [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Reverse transcriptase drug resistance mutations in HIV-1 subtype C infected patients on ART in Karonga District, Malawi'
Bansode, V.B., Travers, S.A.A., Crampin, A.C., Ngwira, B., French, N., Glynn, J.R., McCormack, G.P. (2011) 'Reverse transcriptase drug resistance mutations in HIV-1 subtype C infected patients on ART in Karonga District, Malawi'. AIDS Research and Therapy, 8 [Details]
(2011) 'Phylogenetic diversity of bacteria associated with the endemic freshwater sponge Lubomirskia baicalensis'
Kaluzhnaya, OV,Itskovich, VB,McCormack, GP (2011) 'Phylogenetic diversity of bacteria associated with the endemic freshwater sponge Lubomirskia baicalensis'. World Journal Of Microbiology & Biotechnology, 27 :1955-1959 [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'HIV-1 mutational patterns in HIV-1 subtype C infected long-term survivors in Karonga District Malawi: further analysis and correction'
Seager I, Leeson M, Crampin AC, Mulawa D, French N, Glynn JR, Travers SAA, McCormack GP (2011) 'HIV-1 mutational patterns in HIV-1 subtype C infected long-term survivors in Karonga District Malawi: further analysis and correction'. Aids Research And Human Retroviruses, http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/AID.2011.0168 [Details]
(2011) 'Phylogenetic Relationships of the Marine Haplosclerida (Phylum Porifera) Employing Ribosomal (28S rRNA) and Mitochondrial (cox1, nad1) Gene Sequence Data'
Redmond, NE,Raleigh, J,van Soest, RWM,Kelly, M,Travers, SAA,Bradshaw, B,Vartia, S,Stephens, KM,McCormack, GP (2011) 'Phylogenetic Relationships of the Marine Haplosclerida (Phylum Porifera) Employing Ribosomal (28S rRNA) and Mitochondrial (cox1, nad1) Gene Sequence Data'. Plos One, 6 [DOI] [Details]
(2010) 'Emergence, Dominance, and Possible Decline of CXCR4 Chemokine Receptor Usage During the Course of HIV Infection'
Meehan, CJ,Hedge, JA,Robertson, DL,McCormack, GP,Travers, SAA (2010) 'Emergence, Dominance, and Possible Decline of CXCR4 Chemokine Receptor Usage During the Course of HIV Infection'. Journal Of Medical Virology, 82 :2004-2012 [DOI] [Details]
(2010) 'Drug resistance mutations in drug naïve HIV-1 subtype C infected individuals from rural Malawi'
Bansode V, Drebert ZJ, Travers SAA, Banda E, Molesworth A, Crampin A, Ngwira B, French N, Glynn JR, McCormack GP. (2010) 'Drug resistance mutations in drug naïve HIV-1 subtype C infected individuals from rural Malawi'. AIDS Res Hum Retrov, [Details]
(2009) 'Ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions are not suitable for intra- or inter-specific phylogeny reconstruction in haplosclerid sponges (Porifera: Demospongiae)'
Redmond, NE,Mccormack, GP (2009) 'Ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions are not suitable for intra- or inter-specific phylogeny reconstruction in haplosclerid sponges (Porifera: Demospongiae)'. Journal Of The Marine Biological Association Of The United Kingdom, 89 :1251-1256 [DOI] [Details]
(2009) 'Ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions are not suitable for intra- or inter- specific phylogeny reconstruction in haplosclerid sponges (Phylum Porifera, Class Demospongiae)'
Redmond NE, McCormack GP. (2009) 'Ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions are not suitable for intra- or inter- specific phylogeny reconstruction in haplosclerid sponges (Phylum Porifera, Class Demospongiae)'. Journal of the Marine Biological Association UK, 89 :1251-1256 [DOI] [Details]
(2008) 'Large expansion segments in 18S rDNA support a new sponge clade (Class Demospongiae, Order Haplosclerida)'
Redmond, NE,McCormack, GP (2008) 'Large expansion segments in 18S rDNA support a new sponge clade (Class Demospongiae, Order Haplosclerida)'. Molecular Phylogenetics And Evolution, 47 :1090-1099 [DOI] [Details]
(2007) 'A study of the coevolutionary patterns operating within the env gene of the HIV-1 group M subtypes'
Travers, SAA,Tully, DC,McCormack, GP,Fares, MA (2007) 'A study of the coevolutionary patterns operating within the env gene of the HIV-1 group M subtypes'. Molecular Biology And Evolution, 24 :2787-2801 [DOI] [Details]
(2007) 'Reassessment of the classification of the Order Haplosclerida (Class Demospongiae, Phylum Porifera) using 18S rRNA gene sequence data'
Redmond, NE,van Soest, RWM,Kelly, M,Raleigh, J,Travers, SAA,McCormack, GP (2007) 'Reassessment of the classification of the Order Haplosclerida (Class Demospongiae, Phylum Porifera) using 18S rRNA gene sequence data'. Molecular Phylogenetics And Evolution, 43 :344-352 [DOI] [Details]
(2007) 'Mitochondrial Cytochrome oxidase 1 phylogeny supports alternative taxonomic scheme for the marine Haplosclerida'
Raleigh, J,Redmond, NE,Delahan, E,Torpey, S,van Soesty, RWM,Kelly, M,McCormack, GP (2007) 'Mitochondrial Cytochrome oxidase 1 phylogeny supports alternative taxonomic scheme for the marine Haplosclerida'. Journal Of The Marine Biological Association Of The United Kingdom, 87 :1577-1584 [DOI] [Details]
(2007) 'Two new species of Adontorhina Berry, 1947 (Bivalvia : Thyasiridae) from the Porcupine Bank, off the west coast of Ireland'
Barry, PJ,Mccormack, GP (2007) 'Two new species of Adontorhina Berry, 1947 (Bivalvia : Thyasiridae) from the Porcupine Bank, off the west coast of Ireland'. Zootaxa, :37-49 [Details]
(2006) 'The molecular phylogeny and functional significance of a nematode specific clade of heterotrimeric G-protein a subunit genes'
O Halloran DM, Fitzpatrick DA, McCormack GP, McInerney JO and Burnell AM. (2006) 'The molecular phylogeny and functional significance of a nematode specific clade of heterotrimeric G-protein a subunit genes'. Journal of Molecular Evolution, 63 (1):87-94 [Details]
(2006) 'Emergence of a three codon deletion in gag p17 in HIV type 1 subtype C long-term survivors, and general population spread'
McCormack, GP,Glynn, JR,Clewley, JP,Crampin, AC,Travers, SAA,Redmond, N,Keane, TM,Sibande, F,Mulawa, D,Fine, PEM (2006) 'Emergence of a three codon deletion in gag p17 in HIV type 1 subtype C long-term survivors, and general population spread'. Aids Research And Human Retroviruses, 22 :195-201 [Details]
(2006) 'Unique BK virus non-coding control region (NCCR) variants in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with and without hemorrhagic cystitis'
Carr, MJ,McCormack, GP,Mutton, KJ,Crowley, B (2006) 'Unique BK virus non-coding control region (NCCR) variants in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with and without hemorrhagic cystitis'. Journal Of Medical Virology, 78 :485-493 [DOI] [Details]
(2006) 'Monopseudocuma a new genus from the North East Atlantic and redescription of Pseudocuma gilsonii Baescu 1950 (Cumacea;Pseudocumatidae)'
McCarthy AM, Gerkin S, McGrath D and McCormack GP. (2006) 'Monopseudocuma a new genus from the North East Atlantic and redescription of Pseudocuma gilsonii Baescu 1950 (Cumacea;Pseudocumatidae)'. Zootaxa, 1203 :39-56 [Details]
(2005) 'Phylogenetic relationships within the class Holothuroidea, inferred from 18S rRNA gene data'
Lacey, KMJ,McCormack, GP,Keegan, BF,Powell, R (2005) 'Phylogenetic relationships within the class Holothuroidea, inferred from 18S rRNA gene data'. Marine Biology, 147 :1149-1154 [DOI] [Details]
(2005) 'Evidence for heterogeneous selective pressures in the evolution of the env gene in different HIV-1 subtypes'
Travers SAA, OConnell MJ, McCormack GP, McInerney JO (2005) 'Evidence for heterogeneous selective pressures in the evolution of the env gene in different HIV-1 subtypes'. JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY, 79 (3):1836-1841 [Details]
(2005) 'DPRml: distributed phylogeny reconstruction by maximum likelihood'
Keane, TM,Naughton, TJ,Travers, SAA,McInerney, JO,McCormack, GP (2005) 'DPRml: distributed phylogeny reconstruction by maximum likelihood'. Bioinformatics, 21 :969-974 [DOI] [Details]
(2005) 'Human metapneumovirus-associated respiratory tract infections in the Republic of Ireland during the influenza season of 2003-2004'
Carr, MJ,McCormack, GP,Crowley, B (2005) 'Human metapneumovirus-associated respiratory tract infections in the Republic of Ireland during the influenza season of 2003-2004'. Clinical Microbiology And Infection, 11 :366-371 [DOI] [Details]
(2004) 'Heterogeneity in the Irish Varicella–Zoster Virus Population'
Carr MJ, McCormack GP and Crowley B (2004) 'Heterogeneity in the Irish Varicella–Zoster Virus Population'. Journal of Medical Virology, 73 (1):131-136 [Details]
(2004) 'Genetic variation in clinical Varicella-Zoster virus isolates collected in Ireland between 2002 and 2003'
Carr, MJ,McCormack, GP,Crowley, B (2004) 'Genetic variation in clinical Varicella-Zoster virus isolates collected in Ireland between 2002 and 2003'. Journal Of Medical Virology, 73 :131-136 [DOI] [Details]
(2004) 'Order level differences in the structure of partial LSU across demosponges (Porifera): new insights into an old taxon'
Erpenbeck, D,McCormack, GP,Breeuwer, JAJ,van Soest, RWM (2004) 'Order level differences in the structure of partial LSU across demosponges (Porifera): new insights into an old taxon'. Molecular Phylogenetics And Evolution, 32 :388-395 [DOI] [Details]
(2004) 'Timing and reconstruction of the most recent common ancestor of the subtype C clade of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1'
Travers SA, Clewley JP, Glynn JR, Fine PEM, Crampin AC, Sibande F, Mulawa D, McInerney JO, McCormack GP. (2004) 'Timing and reconstruction of the most recent common ancestor of the subtype C clade of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1'. JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY, 78 (19):10501-10506 [Details]
(2004) 'Molecular systematics of Acarus siro s. lat., a complex of stored food pests'
Webster, LMI,Thomas, RH,McCormack, GP (2004) 'Molecular systematics of Acarus siro s. lat., a complex of stored food pests'. Molecular Phylogenetics And Evolution, 32 :817-822 [DOI] [Details]
(2003) 'Highly divergent HIV type 1 group M sequences evident in Karonga District, Malawi in the early 1980s'
McCormack, GP,Glynn, JR,Crampin, AC,Sibande, F,Mulawa, D,Fine, PEM,Clewley, JP (2003) 'Highly divergent HIV type 1 group M sequences evident in Karonga District, Malawi in the early 1980s'. Aids Research And Human Retroviruses, 19 :441-445 [Details]
(2002) 'New indications of the phylogenetic affinity of Spongosorites suberitoides, Diaz et al., 1993 (Porifera, Demospongiae) as revealed by 28S ribosomal DNA'
McCormack GP, Kelly M. (2002) 'New indications of the phylogenetic affinity of Spongosorites suberitoides, Diaz et al., 1993 (Porifera, Demospongiae) as revealed by 28S ribosomal DNA'. Journal Of Natural History, 36 :1009-1021 [Details]
(2002) 'Major discrepancy between phylogenetic hypotheses based on molecular and morphological criteria within the Order Haplosclerida (Phylum Porifera : Class Demospongiae)'
McCormack, GP,Erpenbeck, D,van Soest, RWM (2002) 'Major discrepancy between phylogenetic hypotheses based on molecular and morphological criteria within the Order Haplosclerida (Phylum Porifera : Class Demospongiae)'. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 40 :237-240 [Details]
(2002) 'Early evolution of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 subtype C epidemic in rural Malawi'
McCormack, GP,Glynn, JR,Crampin, AC,Sibande, F,Mulawa, D,Bliss, L,Broadbent, P,Abarca, K,Ponnighaus, JM,Fine, PEM,Clewley, JP (2002) 'Early evolution of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 subtype C epidemic in rural Malawi'. J Virol, 76 :12890-12899 [DOI] [Details]
(2002) 'The application of molecular phylogenetics to the analysis of viral genome diversity and evolution'
McCormack, GP,Clewley, JP (2002) 'The application of molecular phylogenetics to the analysis of viral genome diversity and evolution'. Reviews in Medical Virology, 12 :221-238 [DOI] [Details]
(2000) 'Development of microsatellite PCR typing methodology for the sea louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer)'
Nolan DV, Martin SAM, Kelly Y, Glennon K, Palmer R, Smith T, McCormack GP, Powell R (2000) 'Development of microsatellite PCR typing methodology for the sea louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer)'. Aquaculture Research, 31 :815-822 [Details]
(2000) 'Comparative analysis of two populations of the brittle star Amphiura filiformis (Echinodermata : Ophiuroidea) with different life history strategies using RAPD markers'
McCormack, GP,Powell, R,Keegan, BF (2000) 'Comparative analysis of two populations of the brittle star Amphiura filiformis (Echinodermata : Ophiuroidea) with different life history strategies using RAPD markers'. Marine Biotechnology, 2 :100-106 [Details]
(2000) 'Development of microsatellite PCR typing methodology for the sea louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer)'
Nolan, DV,Martin, SAM,Kelly, Y,Glennon, K,Palmer, R,Smith, T,McCormack, GP,Powell, R (2000) 'Development of microsatellite PCR typing methodology for the sea louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer)'. Aquaculture Research, 31 :815-822 [Details]
(2000) 'Re: Spectral analysis of echinoderm small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequence data'
McCormack, GP,Keegan, BF,McInerney, JO,Powell, R (2000) 'Re: Spectral analysis of echinoderm small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequence data'. Molecular Phylogenetics And Evolution, 15 :327-329 [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2017) 'Molecular responses of sponges to climate change. In: Climate Change, Ocean Acidification and Sponges Switzerland. Pages 79-104'
Aguilar-Camacho J-M and McCormack GP (2017) 'Molecular responses of sponges to climate change. In: Climate Change, Ocean Acidification and Sponges Switzerland. Pages 79-104' In: Climate Change, Ocean Acidification and Sponges. Switzerland: Springer. [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(1995) ECHINODERM RESEARCH 1995
MCCORMACK, G et al. (1995) Comparison of DNA extraction techniques from amphiurid species (Ophiuroidea:Echinodermata) suitable for polymerase chain reaction ECHINODERM RESEARCH 1995 , pp.43-49 [Details]

Catalog

  Year Publication
(2011) The Zoology and Marine Biology Museum.
Kavannagh F, Lawless A, Lawton C, MacLoughlin E, Quinn A, McCormack GP, Arthur W (2011) The Zoology and Marine Biology Museum. Catalog [Details]

Reviews

  Year Publication
(2013) Marine bioactivity in Irish waters.
Rae, M;Folch, H;Moniz, MBJ;Wolff, CW;McCormack, GP;Rindi, F;Johnson, MP (2013) Marine bioactivity in Irish waters. DORDRECHT: Reviews [DOI] [Details]

Modules Taught

  Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
2020/21 Evolutionary Biology ZO317
2020/21 Phylogenetics and Conservation ZO418
2020/21 Evolution and the Tree of Life BO202
2020/21 Biology BO101