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Trinity College Dublin to host new research on how immune system repairs brain. Five-year project could be used to pioneer regenerative treatment for nerological conditions like MS 27 May 2026 Neuroimmunologist Prof Denise Fitzgerald has been awarded €6.26 million from Research Ireland to investigate ways that ageing affects how the immune system helps repair brain tissue in illnesses such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Over the next five years Prof Fitzgerald - previously based in Queen's University Belfast - will lead a research team of 10 based in Trinity College Dublin and partnering with FutureNeuro Research Ireland Centre for Translational Brain Science, St James's Hospital, and Beaumont Hospital to discover why our immune cells become less able to coax brain stem cells to repair damage as we age. This research combines immunology, neuroscience and regenerative biology to tackle this complex problem. Prof Fitzgerald said: "This ambitious programme of research will uncover new insights into fundamental changes in the older immune system that has a knock-on effect on brain repair. This new knowledge can then be used to develop pioneering regenerative treatment for MS and other neurological conditions." The research will be embedded into clinical trials to increase the opportunities for people with MS in Ireland to access experimental treatments early, as well as to co-produce research with us as key public members of the research programme. Through this appointment, Prof Fitzgerald will divide her role between Trinity College Dublin and Queen's University Belfast, promoting all-island collaboration across neuroimmunology and other research areas, including extensive international collaboration with experts at Cambridge University, University College London, the University of Toronto, the Institute of Neuroscience - Alicante, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and Maynooth University. TechCentral Reporters

Help stop oesophageal cancer before it starts by becoming Barrett's aware. 13th May 2026 Heartburn might seem harmless, but Irish health experts are warning that persistent acid reflux could be a much bigger deal than many people realise. Ahead of World Barrett's Day on May 16th, the Oesophageal Cancer Fund is urging people to learn the signs of Barrett's Oesophagus - a condition linked to an increased risk of oesophageal cancer that often develops after long-term heartburn or acid reflux. The charity is also calling on antacid manufacturers to make warning labels clearer and more visible, encouraging people to see their GP if symptoms like heartburn or reflux don't go away. What is Barrett's Oesophagus? It is estimated that over 35,000 people in Ireland have Barrett's Oesophagus but most of them don't know it and are unaware of how their Barrett's condition, unmonitored and untreated, puts them at increased risk for oesophageal cancer. This is a potentially pre-cancerous, inflammatory disease where some of the normal cells in the lining of the oesophagus - that's the 12-inch food pipe or 'gullet' connecting the mouth to the stomach - have been replaced with abnormal cells. While less than 5% of Barrett's patients go on to develop oesophageal cancer, Barrett's Oesophagus is the starting point for all cases of oesophageal adenocarcinoma - the most common type of oesophageal cancer in Ireland - so if Barrett's can be diagnosed and managed early it can prevent people progressing to oesophageal cancer. How the OCF and Research Ireland invest in life saving Barrett's Research? Prevention is a cornerstone of care through Ireland's Barrett's Oesophagus Registry and Biobank, funded by OCF and Research Ireland and all of those lollipops the charity sells for its annual Lollipop Day fundraiser. The registry now includes almost 10,000 patients, enabling clinical teams to monitor progression, intervene early and, in many cases, prevent cancer from developing altogether. To date, around 800 patients with pre-cancer or very early-stage cancer have been treated through this programme, with a 100% cure rate. This result shows how targeted investment in research can have such a positive impact for patients. Listen to Professor Jacintha O'Sullivan talking about Barrett's Research below: Please accept cookies to access this content What's the cause of Barrett's Oesophagus? Although the exact cause of Barrett's is unknown, it is strongly associated with long-term heartburn or GORD (Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease) which can damage the oesophagus. OCF is using World Barrett's Oesophagus Day to make people aware of the symptoms and urging them to act by visiting their GP with concerns. The charity recently co-hosted a Barrett's Patient Wellbeing meeting, attended by over 100 people, with Mercy University Hospital Cork and OCF also partners with Beaumont Hospital, Galway University Hospital, St. James and the All-Ireland Cancer Network through its patient support and research programme. According to the CEO of OCF, Carmel Doyle, 'The bottom line is that the more people are aware of the symptoms and treated for Barrett's Oesophagus, the less people will be diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, as any cancer cells can be detected and destroyed early. This approach is already saving lives, but we still need to drive awareness and action and people need to take ongoing, chronic heartburn seriously and to get it checked out early with their GP. 'That link between Barrett's and oesophageal cancer is something I've seen firsthand, as my husband's Barrett's condition meant that his oesophageal cancer was detected at a very early stage 15 years ago, saving his life. 'Fast forward to today, with more advanced treatment of Barrett's, the risk of oesophageal cancer can be reduced even further with the proactive management of Barrett's. That's why OCF remains firmly committed to investing in Barrett's research and driving awareness to prevent oesophageal cancer, and we are asking everyone we know to spread the word please.' Research to the rescue OCF has funded and established the National Barrett's Biobank and Registry in Ireland through a long-term collaboration with the Trinty St James's Cancer Institute and more recently with Research Ireland through the Precision Oncology Ireland network in partnership with Prof. Jacintha O'Sullivan in the Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute. This research saves lives through the proactive surveillance of Barrett's patients and those at risk of developing oesophageal cancer. The whole programme was largely funded through OCF's annual Lollipop Day campaign which is spearheaded by legendary golfer and OCF Patron Padraig Harrington whose father Paddy died of oesophageal cancer over 20 years ago. Today almost 10,000 Barrett's patients are being tracked, their disease monitored and interventions offered, such as radiofrequency ablations to eliminate diseased cells. Such interventions can prevent the progression to oesophageal cancer. Biopsies and bloods from consenting patients on surveillance are a rich source of biological material for researchers to work with to improve patient care and treatments. This data, which is shared on an all-island basis, should impact national policy, highlighting the need for a national monitoring programme, with less reliance on OCF lollipops for funding. Main symptoms of Barrett's Oesophagus * Persistent Acid Reflux or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) * Heartburn that is unexplained or lasts beyond 2 to 3 weeks * Regurgitation of food * Nausea * Pain in the abdomen * Strange or metallic taste in mouth * Sore throat due to reflux or reflux that wakes you up at night * Persistent cough / belching / hiccups Treatment Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are prescribed to prevent the stomach from making acid and this is a common treatment for Barrett's and is very effective in protecting the oesophagus from acid reflux. Patients are usually advised to take acid-suppressing medication and undergo an endoscopy and biopsy at regular intervals to monitor their condition. This ongoing surveillance through biopsy samples aims to detect whether dysplasia has developed and if it is high-grade dysplasia (abnormal cells). Listen to Andrew Kelly, OCF Patient Ambassador, talking about his care journey: Please accept cookies to access this content What increases the risk of Barrett's? * Obesity and being overweight * Oesophageal reflux and diet * Current, past smoking * Alcohol * People over 50 years old - but today more young people being diagnosed * Being male: men are far more likely to develop Barrett's Oesophagus * Family history: those with family links to Barrett's should be on higher alert Steps Barrett's patients can take to reduce risk of oesophageal cancer * Stop smoking and stop vaping * Avoid alcohol or drink in moderation * Maintain a healthy weight * Avoid spicy foods as this increases acid levels in the stomach * Manage GORD disease by taking acid-supressing medication as directed by GP * Increase exercise, reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing OCF is hosting a free Open Research Night on Thursday 14th May from 6pm-8pm at the Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James' Hospital, with registration still open on ocf.ie. To support the Oesophageal Cancer Fund, scan the QR code below: .