Helen O'Neill

My research experience has been in the fields of immunology and experimental hematology and the development of hematopietic cells from stem cells.

My lab has developed new and exacting culture methods and stem cell isolation procedures that will form the basis of future work on stem cells and tissue regeneration. Recent important findings relate to hematopoiesis which occurs in spleen, and definition of myelopoiesis unique to spleen. 

I have a particular interest in stromal cell microenvironments which support hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cell development for tissue regeneration, and a long standing interest in lymphocyte and dendritic cell development and function.

A range of student projects are available related to stem cells, their microenvironments and their capacity to regenerate organs. These projects are tied to ongoing research activities funded by grants with a view to regeneration of cells, formation of ectopic or artificial lymphoid tissues, and development of whole organs, like the spleen. Recent specific projects I am involved with include: 

1. Characterisation, isolation and transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells 

2. Investigation of perivascular reticular cells which form niches for tissue specific hematopoiesis

3. Role of the spleen in myelopoiesis

4. Development of retinal cells from pluripotent stem cells