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Dr. Niamh O'Boyle

Associate Professor (Pharmacy)
23 WESTLAND ROW
      
Profile Photo

Dr. Niamh O'Boyle

Associate Professor (Pharmacy)
23 WESTLAND ROW

 NIAMH.OBOYLE@tcd.ie

 3531896 2524


Dr. Niamh O'Boyle is an Associate Professor in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in Trinity College Dublin. She received her BSc(Pharm)(1st class) and PhD degree from Trinity College Dublin, working with Prof. Mary J. Meegan. She subsequently completed postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) with Prof. Ann-Therese Karlberg and the School of Biochemistry and Immunology (TCD), working with Prof. Daniela Zisterer. Dr. O'Boyle is fascinated by the interaction of chemicals, both drugs and toxins, with the body. This inspires her research in the development of novel drugs for hard-to-treat cancers and in discovering the underlying mechanisms of skin allergy. She runs several diverse research projects and her research is supported by the TCD Provost's PhD Project Award, Panoz Pharmaceutical Innovation PhD Scholarships, Research Ireland, EU MSCA-RISE (EVEREST), Wellcome Trust, CAMS-UK, the Royal Society of Chemistry, Enterprise Ireland, Breakthrough Cancer Research and the City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital Charity. Her research work is consistently published in high-quality international, peer-reviewed journals and she has been a co-applicant on two published patents. She was awarded a Fellowship of TCD in 2023. Dr. O'Boyle is a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland. She is a member and secretary of the Physical, Chemical & Mathematical Sciences multidisciplinary committee of the Royal Irish Academy (2022-2026). Dr. O'Boyle is a long-standing committee member of the international GP2A Medicinal Chemistry organisation. She was previously the early career representative on the Royal Society of Chemistry Ireland Regional Steering Group (2020-2023).
  ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS   Anticancer Drug Design   ANTICANCER DRUGS   Antiestrogens   ANTI-TUBULIN ACTIVITY   BREAST CANCER   Cancer drug discovery   COLON CANCER   Design, synthesis and mechanism of action of novel anti-estrogenic compounds   Drug discovery   EPOXY   EPOXY RESINS   ESTROGEN   Estrogen Receptor   INDUCED LIPID-PEROXIDATION   LIPID OXIDATION   Multidisciplinary approach to drug discovery and development   OESTROGEN   PHOTOALLERGIC CONTACT-DERMATITIS   TAMOXIFEN
Project Title
 Assessment of Skin Allergens in Diabetic Glucose Sensors and Insulin Pumps
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Summary
Continuous glucose-monitoring devices and insulin pump systems have become an essential component of the management of diabetes, a chronic disease that affects over 500 million people worldwide. As the prevalence of diabetes increases, the use of these devices is also expanding. These devices are affixed to the patient"s skin using an adhesive patch. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to components of glucose-monitoring sensors and insulin pumps is increasingly problematic as disease management becomes dependent on wearable technologies. To date, the most common identified skin allergens fall into two broad classes: acrylates and colophonium-related substances. However, the range of skin allergens discovered in both the devices and the adhesive patches is constantly expanding. Although patch testing is useful in identifying potential allergens, many studies to date have not analysed the chemical composition of the devices. The objective of this project is to analyse diabetic medical devices to understand what allergenic chemicals are present, focusing on emerging skin allergens.
Funding Agency
City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital Charity
Person Months
24
Project Title
 Extracellular Vesicles in Allergic Contact Dermatitis (EV-ACD)
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Summary
Contact allergy is a skin disease that happens when skin comes into contact with harmful chemicals, called contact allergens. Contact allergens cause inflammation and the skin becomes red, itchy and sometimes blistered. These contact allergens can be natural, like metals and those in poison ivy, or synthetic, for example fragrances used in perfumes. We don"t fully understand why some chemicals cause contact allergy whilst others don"t. Skin cells, called keratinocytes, release small vesicles when they are exposed to contact allergens. This project aims to characterise these vesicles and their contents, to understand what is released from keratinocytes. We also aim to determine if the vesicles cause an immune response. The results of this project will help us to learn more about what happens in our skin upon contact with allergens. In the future, this could lead to breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of contact allergy.
Funding Agency
Panoz Pharmaceutical Innovation
Programme
Panoz Pharmaceutical Innovation PhD Scholarship
Project Title
 Synthesis of Novel Cysteinyl Leukotriene Receptor 1 Antagonists for the Treatment of Uveal Melanoma: Optimisation of Identified Hits into Potential Drug Candidates
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Summary
Uveal melanoma (UM) is an eye cancer. In half of UM patients, the cancer spreads to the liver. There are no good treatments for preventing the cancer from spreading or for treating the cancer once it has spread. Therefore, there is a clear need to develop new medicines for this disease. Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLTR1) is a protein present naturally in humans. Studies have shown high levels of CysLTR1 in many cancers, and links between CysLTR1 and poor outcomes. Some studies have shown that medicines that block the action of CysLTR1 decrease cancer risk. Therefore, CysLTR1 antagonists could be a useful new UM treatment option. Two exciting new CysLTR1 antagonist drugs have been discovered " quininib and `M6". Quininib has been shown to prevent blood vessel formation (a way that cancer spreads) in zebrafish eyes, and a very similar drug (1,4-dihydroxy quininib) has been shown to kill UM cells and cause other changes in their behaviour. M6, a more recently discovered and less-studied drug, can block CysLTR1, is non-toxic to zebrafish and prevents zebrafish blood vessel formation. This is promising, but neither quininib nor M6 is `patient-ready". There are opportunities for strengthening drug action so that lower doses are needed for treatment. This research will involve synthesising new drugs similar to M6 and quininib but with strategic chemistry changes, to try to give the drugs better activity against UM. These drugs will then be tested using UM cells and zebrafish, ultimately to develop a drug that could one day be used to treat UM patients.
Funding Agency
Research Ireland & Breakthrough Cancer Research
Programme
Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship
Project Title
 Biochemical Evaluation of the 'Combretazets' - Novel and Potent Drugs for Treating Multi-Drug Resistant Cancers
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Summary
The aim of this project is to evaluate the biochemical effects of novel, enantiomerally pure β-lactams on breast cancer cells. Specific assays will investigate effects on breast cancer cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and tubulin polymerisation. This will enable us to identify the best drug candidate for progression to pre-clinical experiments, e.g. in vivo assessment.
Funding Agency
Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund
Programme
Start-Up Funding for Newly Independent Investigators
Person Months
12
Project Title
 Analysis of Skin Lipids in Contact Allergy by Mass Spectrometry
From
August 2020
To
September 2021
Summary
Funding Agency
CAMS-UK and Royal Society of Chemistry
Programme
Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund CAMS Fellowships
Person Months
6

Page 1 of 2
Details Date
Royal Irish Academy Physical, Chemical & Mathematical Sciences multidisciplinary committee (member) 2022-2026
Royal Society of Chemistry Ireland Regional Steering Group - Early Career Representative 2020 - 2023
Group for the Promotion of Pharmaceutical chemistry in Academia: committee member 2017 - present
COST Action CA17104 Stratagem - management committee substitute (Ireland) and working group member 2019
Journal Reviewer (journals including PNAS, RSC Med.Chem., J.Med.Chem., Eur.J.Med.Chem., ACS Med.Chem.Lett.)
Language Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill Speaking
English Fluent Fluent Fluent
French Medium Basic Basic
Irish Medium Basic Medium
Swedish Fluent Fluent Fluent
Details Date From Date To
Member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland 2007 Present
Fellow of Trinity College Dublin 2023 Present
Fellow of the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland 2024 Present
Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry 2017 Present
Member of the European Society for Contact Dermatitis 2019 Present
Member of the Irish Association for Cancer Research 2016 2023
Member of the European Association for Cancer Research 2016 2023
Associate Member of the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland 2022 2024
Moore AI, Moreira ASP, Guerra IMS, Goracci L, Domingues P, Melo T, Domingues MR, O'Boyle NM., A lipidomic approach towards identifying the effects of fragrance hydroperoxides on keratinocytes., Contact dermatitis, 92, (3), 2025, p176 - 186, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  URL
Moore, Aaron I., Moreira, Ana S. P., Conde, Tiago, Melo, Tania, Domingues, Pedro, O'Boyle, Niamh M., Domingues, M. Rosario, Terpene Hydroperoxides as Lipid Peroxidation Inducers: Biomimetic and HaCaT Cell Studies in Allergic Contact Dermatitis, Contact Dermatitis, 93, (1), 2025, p16-30 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Fiona Sexton, Julia O'Mahony, Sumera Sumera, Romina Golchin, Anne Lonergan, Siobhan McCarthy, Cecilia Svedman, Martin Mowitz, Niamh O'Boyle, Colin P Hawkes, John Bourke, Culprit allergens in diabetes technology-associated allergic contact dermatitis: investigation remains challenging, British Journal of Dermatology, 193, (4), 2025, p792-794 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  URL
Tonelotto, Valentina, Qaisar, Alina, McLoughlin, Eavan C., Cassaday, Amelia, Kundu, Karishma, Pendino, Marzia, Marcone, Simone, O'Sullivan, Jacintha, Twamley, Brendan, Jensen, Lasse D., Thorpe, Stephen D., Kennedy, Breandán N. and O'Boyle, Niamh M., Characterization of a water soluble quininib prodrug that blocks metabolic activity and proliferation of multiple cancer cell lines, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 296, 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Bayraktar G, Carro L, Decker M, Giuntini F, Helesbeux JJ, Marchand P, Matthews SE, McCarthy FO, Mistry SN, Moreira VM, O'Boyle NM, Pace V, Rochais C, Saylam M, Sotelo E., Shaping Future Medicinal Chemists: Perspectives from European Schools of Pharmacy within the GP2A Network., Journal of medicinal chemistry, 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  URL
Ana G, Malebari AM, Noorani S, Fayne D, O'Boyle NM, Zisterer DM, Pimentel EF, Endringer DC, Meegan MJ., (E)-1-(3-(3-Hydroxy-4-Methoxyphenyl)-1-(3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyl)allyl)-1H-1,2,4-Triazole and Related Compounds: Their Synthesis and Biological Evaluation as Novel Antimitotic Agents Targeting Breast Cancer., Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 18, (1), 2025, p118 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Matthew Ward, Niamh M. O'Boyle, Analysis of the structural diversity of heterocycles amongst European medicines agency approved pharmaceuticals (2014-2023), RSC Medicinal Chemistry, 16, (10), 2025, p4540-4570 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED
McVicker RU, O'Boyle NM., Chirality of New Drug Approvals (2013-2022): Trends and Perspectives., Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67, (4), 2024, p2305-2320 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  URL
McLoughlin EC, Twamley B, O'Boyle NM., Candida antarctica Lipase B mediated kinetic resolution: A sustainable method for chiral synthesis of antiproliferative ß-lactams., European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 276, 2024, p116692 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  URL
Ndreu L., Carlsson J., Ponting D.J., Niklasson I.B., Steen E.J.L., McHugh L., O'Boyle N.M., Luthman K., Karlberg A.-T., Karlsson I., Bioactivation of cinnamic alcohol in a reconstructed human epidermis model and evaluation of sensitizing potency of the identified metabolites, Frontiers in Toxicology, 6, 2024, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  URL
  

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Aoife Clancy, Anne-Marie Tobin, Fei Lei, Derek G. Doherty, Niamh M. O'Boyle, Investigating the Role of CD1a and CD1d in Nickel Allergic Contact Dermatitis, CD1-MR1 2025 Conference, Portland, OR, USA, 2025, 2025, Poster, PUBLISHED
Aaron I. Moore, Ana S. P. Moreira, Tiago Conde, Pedro Domingues, Tânia Melo, Niamh M. O'Boyle, M. Rosário Domingues, Exploring the Potential of Terpene Hydroperoxides to Induce Lipid Peroxidation and Their Role in Contact Allergy, Lipids in Cellular Function and Disease, Beaver Run Conference Center, Breckenridge, CO, United States, April 2025, 2025, Poster, PUBLISHED
JL Wong, N O'Boyle, L O'Driscoll, 343 Extracellular Vesicles Released from Skin Keratinocytes in Response to Contact Allergens, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, ESDR 2025, Antwerp, Belgium, September 2025, 145, (12), 2025, ppS326-, Published Abstract, PUBLISHED
Fiona Sexton, Julia O'Mahony, Sumera Sumera, Romina Golchin, Cecilia Svedman, Niamh O'Boyle, Colin P Hawkes, John Bourke, CD02 Colophonium derivatives as key allergens in diabetes technology-associated allergic contact dermatitis: a hidden concern in the British Society for Cutaneous Allergy standard series, British Journal of Dermatology, 105th Annual Meeting of the British Association of Dermatologists, Glasgow, Scotland, 193, (Supplement 1), 2025, Published Abstract, PUBLISHED
Breandan N Kennedy; Eavan McLoughlin; Alina Qaisar; Amelia Cassaday; Marzia Pendino; Simeone Marcone; Jacintha O'Sullivan; Niamh O'Boyle; Valentina Tonelotto, A Water Soluble Quininib Analogue Blocks Metabolic Activity and Proliferation of OMM2.5 Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Cells, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, ARVO Annual Meeting, Seattle, USA, 2024, 65, 2024, pp2258-, Poster, PUBLISHED
Ellie Swords, Eve O'Reilly, Niamh Stephens, Alina Qaisar, Silvia Illa-Tuset, Rob Scoffin, Colm J. Ryan, Niamh O'Boyle, Valentina Tonelotto, Breandán N. Kennedy, Investigating the Therapeutic Potential of Drug Combinations in Pre-Clinical Models of Metastatic Uveal Melanoma, UCD Conway Festival of Research, University College Dublin, October 2024, 2024, Poster, PUBLISHED
Eavan C. McLoughlin , Niamh M. O'Boyle, A biocatalytic approach for kinetic resolution toward enantiopure anti-cancer beta-lactams using Candida antarctica Lipase B, 9th International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry, 1-30 November 2023, edited by Alfredo Berzal-Herranz , 2023, Notes: [Session: Novel and Sustainable approaches in Medicinal Chemistry], Poster, PUBLISHED
Niamh O'Boyle(ed.), 30th Annual GP2A Medicinal Chemistry Conference, Pharmaceuticals, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, 16, (3), 24-26th August 2022, 2023, 432-, Proceedings of a Conference, PUBLISHED
Niamh M. O'Boyle, Targeting Tubulin - a Tale of the Development of the Combretazets, SCF 29th Young Research Fellows Meeting, Nantes, 4-6 July 2022, 2022, Société de Chimie Thérapeutique, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
Mary J. Meegan and Niamh M. O'Boyle, Special Issue 'Anticancer Drugs 2021', Pharmaceuticals, 15, (4), 2022, p479-, Journal Article, PUBLISHED

  


Page 1 of 3
Award Date
Best Poster Presentation, STRATAGEM WG2 Meeting and International Online Symposium on 'Synthesis and nanodelivery strategies for new therapeutic tools against Multidrug Resistant Tumours' (online) 15-Dec-2020
CAMS-UK Fellowship 2019
Trinity College Dublin Provost's PhD Project Award 2018
Outstanding Reviewer Award, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2017
Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship 2014 - 2016
University of Gothenburg Department of Chemistry Postdoctoral Scholarship 2010 - 2012
XVIIIth European Conference of GP2A: Best Presentation 2009
Trinity College Dublin Postgraduate Research Studentship 2009
Irish Cancer Society Oncology Scholars Travel Award 2008
Trinity College Dublin Postgraduate Research Studentship (1252) 2006
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Young Pharmacist's forum: Best poster presentation 2006
Trinity College Dublin Foundation Scholarship 2003
Dr. O'Boyle leads a research group that is at the forefront of two fields: developing treatments for drug-resistant cancers and discovering mechanisms of skin allergy. Both are concerned with the intricate interactions between chemicals and the human body. In the inflammation strand of her research, she is elucidating the reasons that certain chemicals cause skin allergy. This had led to a new research area: the characterisation of the effects of chemicals on skin lipids. The key direction of this research is improving the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of skin allergy, leading to improved diagnostics and treatments. In the cancer strand of her research, she is focused on developing treatments for multi-drug resistant cancers and uveal melanoma. Dr. O'Boyle consistently publishes in international peer-reviewed articles, and has also co-edited two books and is a co-inventor on two patents. She has been a keynote speaker at many conferences and seminars. Her research has been supported by the Irish Research Council, CAMS-UK, Wellcome Trust, Enterprise Ireland, Royal Society of Chemistry, H2020-MSCA-RISE (CRYSTAL3 and EVEREST), Panoz Pharmaceutical Innovation PhD scholarships), Trinity College (Trinity Research Boost, Provost's PhD Project Award and Dean of Health Sciences Award), Research Ireland, Horizon-Europe Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral-Network (eRaDicate), Breakthrough Cancer Research and the City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital Charity.