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Dr. Richard Porter

Professor In (Biochemistry)
The Dean of Students (Dean of Students)
 (3531896) 5702
      
Profile Photo

Dr. Richard Porter

Professor In (Biochemistry)

 rkporter@tcd.ie

 3531896 1617

The Dean of Students (Dean of Students)

 (3531896) 5702


I completed my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at Trinity College. This was followed by a Ph.D. with Prof. John M. Scott in the area of carbon-one metabolism and a three year postdoctoral position at the Department of Biochemistry University of Cambridge UK with Prof. Martin D. Brand. I was subsequently awarded a Health Research Board (HRB)Fellowship based in Prof. Clive William's laboratory in Trinity. Dr. Porter's research focuses on understanding mammalian energy metabolism. His research achievements are based ideas founded in solid science, a substantial grant base, the quality of the researchers that he recruits, the advanced technology in the laboratory and his collaborations with prominent international laboratories, both academic and industrial. I have been a lecturer and Principal Investigator in Trinity since 1997, was appointed Director of Teaching and Learning in the School of Biochemistry & Immunology (Postgraduate) from 2004-2008 & 2016-2017, was elected for two terms as Head of Biochemistry from 2011-2017, and was elected Fellow of Trinity College Dublin since 2007. I have over 60 publications in peer reviewed scientific journals and currently has over €0.5M in research grants. I am an editor with a leading Elsevier Journal (Biochimica Biophysica Acta-Bioenergetics) and am regularly invited to give lectures at Conferences, Universities and Research Institutes. I teach many aspects of biochemistry to scientists, medical students, pharmacists at all levels within the University and has received a Provost Teaching Award commendation. I am on the management committee of several International Scientific Societies, including the European Bioenergetics Conference. I regularly participates in scientific outreach projects such as the "Fat" exhibition in the Science Gallery. My research has resulted in the discovery of the nature of the "speed gene" in Thoroughbred horses [https://www.rte.ie/news/2018/1106/1008968-race-horses/][https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/irish-scientists-pinpoint-what-makes-thoroughbred-racehorses-go-faster-1.3688584] and I am an inventor on the World's First Nutrigenomic Product for Thoroughbred Horses, now sold as EnerGene-Q10 by Plusvital[http://www.tcd.ie/news_events/articles/world-s-first]. Furthermore, in addition to basic research grants from Science Foundation Ireland, The Health Research Board, Teagasc and Trinity, I have an Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership Programme grant in collaboration with Plusvital and Funding from Artelo plc. I also acted a consultant for Price Waterhouse Coopers in the area of R&D Tax Credits.
  (HUMAN)   (RAT LIVER)   (SKELETAL MUSCLE)   Ageing, memory and other cognitive processes   Analytical Techniques   Basic Skills Education   Biochemistry, Carbohydrates   Biochemistry, Lipids   Biochemistry, metabolism   Biochemistry, Proteins   BODY-MASS   BOVINE   BRAIN   BROWN-ADIPOSE-TISSUE   Diabetes & Obesity   Diabetes and diabetic complications   Drug discovery   Energy Chemical Sciences   EQUINE   Immune system   Innate immunology   Life Sciences   Lipids, steroids, membranes   Membrane Transport   Membrane transport, structure and dynamics   Metabolic Biology   Metabolism and metabolic diseases   Mitochondria   Neuroscience   ORAL-CANCER   OXYGEN CONSUMPTION   Photosynthesis   Proteins, enzymology and protein engineering   Thermal Effects
Project Title
 Cellular Biology of Fatty Acid Binding Proteins (FABPs) Inhibition In Cancer
From
01 Mar 2022
To
28 Feb 2023
Summary
Investigating the role of intracellular fatty acid binding proteins in cancer phenotype
Funding Agency
Artelo BioSciences Inc. award No. 17323
Project Type
Industry Collaboration
Project Title
 Development of an in vitro model of cachexia
From
01 Feb 2021
To
31 Mar 2022
Summary
Culturing human muscle cells in vitro. These cells will exposed to conditions that create cachexia and parameters of that cachexia will be measured.
Funding Agency
Artelo BioSciences Inc. award No. 166771
Programme
Industry Collaboration
Project Type
wet lab research
Person Months
14
Project Title
 Exploitation of a Novel in vitro Skeletal Muscle Cell System to Develop New Nutritional Products for the Thoroughbred Horse
From
2019
To
2021
Summary
We will exploit our unique genotype-specific Thoroughbred horse in vitro skeletal muscle cell platform, with an accompanying established battery of tests, with the objective of testing the metabolic potential of supplements for immediate development of new products for Plusvital. In addition, the effect of myostatin (MSTN) genotypic differences on a selection of new supplements will be evaluated, with the aim to develop genotype specific supplements ("nutrigenomic supplements"). Furthermore, during this time, we will investigate the potential of developing our novel equine in vitro skeletal muscle cell platform in to a commercial product/service.
Funding Agency
Enterprise Ireland
Programme
Innovation Partnership Programme
Project Type
Industry Collaboration
Project Title
 Assessment of the Energetic Benefits of Plusvital Supplements/Nutrients on Thoroughbred Horses
From
2017
To
2019
Summary
Funding Agency
Enterprise Ireland & Plusvital Grant No. 20160503
Programme
Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership Programme
Project Type
Innovation Partnership Programme
Project Title
 Energy Metabolism in Oral Cancers
From
2017
To
2020
Summary
Funding Agency
Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Programme
Grant No. 721906.
Project Type
ITN

Page 1 of 3
Details Date
Representative for Ireland on the European Bioenergetics Conference Committee 2004-present
Representative for Ireland on the International Union of Biochemists and Molecular Biologists (IUBMB) Nominating Committee 2012-2014
Representative for Ireland on the MITOEAGLE COST Action 2016 -2020
Representative for Ireland on the MITOFOOD COST Action 2005-2009
Chairman of European Bioenergetics Conference 2008 (EBEC 2008)[www.tcd.ie/Biochemistry/ebec2008/][ebec2008@tcd.ie] 2008
Ireland Representation on the COST B10 'Brain Damage and Repair' group. 2000-2004
External examiner in Biochemistry to medical students in University College Cork 2015-2020
On the Editorial Board of Biochimica Biophysica Acta (Bioenergetics) Elsevier 2008-present
External examiner in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) Cathal Brugha street 2009-2013
External examiner in Biochemistry to medical students Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland (RCSI). 2006
External examiner in Biochemistry to medical students University College Dublin (UCD) 2006
External examiner in Biochemistry to medical students Queens University belfast (QUB) 2006
Member of the Peter Mitchell Medal Awarding Committee 2008-2012
Language Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill Speaking
French Basic Basic Basic
Details Date From Date To
Appointed to the Bioenergetics and Metabolism Theme Panel III of the Biochemical Society. 2022 2026
Member of the British Immunology Society 2021 present
Editor of Elsevier's Biochimica Biophysica Acta (Bioenergetics) 2008 present
Member of The European Bioenergetics Conference Committee 2004 present
Member of the Irish Area Section of the Biochemical Society 2006 present
Member of the The UK Biochemical Society 1986 present
Treasurer of the Irish Area Section of the Biochemical Society (IASBS) 2009 2012
Member of the International Society for Oxygen Transport in Tissues (ISOTT) 2007 2008
Appointed to the Bioenergetics and Metabolism Theme Panel III of the Biochemical Society. 2004 2007
The British Society of Immunology 2021 present
Ziqian Ge, Martina Wallace, Rory Turner, Maureen Yin, Mary Rooney, Richard Porter, Metabolic interplay between exogenous cystine and glutamine dependence in triple-negative breast cancer, Cell Death Discovery, 2025, Journal Article, IN_PRESS
Lawrence Brody, David J. Bernard, Faith J. Pangilinan, Caitlin Mendina, Tara Desporte Stephen M. Wincovitch, Darren J. Walsh, Richard K. Porter, Anne M. Molloy, Barry Shane, "SLC25A48 IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THE INNER MITOCHONDRIAL MEMBRANE CHOLINE TRANSPORTER", , Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, 2024, Journal Article, SUBMITTED  URL
Bernard, D.J. and Pangilinan, F. and Mendina, C. and Desporte, T. and Wincovitch, S.M. and Walsh, D.J. and Porter, R.K. and Molloy, A.M. and Shane, B. and Brody, L.C., SLC25A48 influences plasma levels of choline and localizes to the inner mitochondrial membrane, Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, 143, (1-2), 2024, Notes: [cited By 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Kate Keogh, Clare McKenna, Sinead M. Waters, Richard K. Porter, Claire Fitzsimons, Mark McGee & David A. Kenny, Effect of breed and diet on the M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum transcriptome of steers divergent for residual feed intake, Scientific Reports , 13(9034), 2023, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
John Noone, Mary F. Rooney, Marilena Karavyraki, Andrew Yates, Saoirse E. O'Sullivan, Richard K. Porter, Cancer-Cachexia-Induced Human Skeletal Muscle Myotube Degeneration Is Prevented via Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Agonism In Vitro, Pharmaceuticals, 16, (11), 2023, Journal Article, PUBLISHED
John Noone, Marilena Karavyraki, Mary F. Rooney, Andrew Yates, Saoirse E. O'Sullivan, Richard K. Porter., A Role for Cannabinoids in Preventing Cachexia in an in vitro Human Muscle Cell Model., https://www.eventsforce.net/biochemsoc/frontend/reg/absViewDocumentFE.csp?documentID=3539&eventID=130, Drug Repurposing II, London, May 2022, edited by UK Biochemical Society , 2022, Notes: [https://www.eventsforce.net/biochemsoc/frontend/reg/absViewDocumentFE.csp?documentID=3539&eventID=130], Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Richard K. Porter, Is there a role for Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in Cancer Metabolism? - Evidence of a role for Interleukin-6 in anoikis resistance and bioenergetic programming in oral squamous cell carcinoma, European Society of Clinical Investigation (ESCI), Bari, Italy., June, 2022, Piero Portincasa, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Richard K. Porter, A comparison of bioenergetics in human tongue pre-cancerous dysplastic oral keratinocytes and squamous cancer cells, Bioblast 2022: BEC Inaugural Conference, Innsbruck, Austria, June, 2022, Erich Gnaiger, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Richard Porter, A Role for Cannabinoids in Preventing Cachexia in an in vitro Human Muscle Cell Model, Drug Repurposing II,, London, Feb 2022, 2022, UK Biochemical Society, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Mary Rooney, Nuno Neto, Michael Monaghan, Emmeline Hill, Richard K. Porter, Conditionally immortalised equine skeletal muscle cell lines for in vitro analysis, Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports, 2022, Journal Article, PUBLISHED
  

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David Tombs, A new covenant?, Sunday Sequence, 30 September 2012, BBC Radio Ulster, 2012, Oral Presentation, PRESENTED

  


Award Date
Shortlisted for Knowledge Ireland (KTI) Award. http://www.knowledgetransferireland.com/KTI%20Impact%20Awards/ 2018
Awarded commendation for Teaching by Trinity College Dublin (Provosts' Teaching Award) July 2014
Lucker-Cobbe Award
Fellow of Trinity College Dublin 2007
1. Over the last two years we have established an in vitro model of human skeletal muscle cachexia (muscle wastage due to cancer). In collaboration with Artelo plc, a NASDAQ quoted company, we have identified a synthetic cannabinoid analogue that can prevent cachexia in human muscle. This drug is now in human Phase 1b/2a clinical trials (Cancer Appetite Recovery Study (CAReS)). Manuscripts are in preparation, with UK Biochemical Society meeting abstract and press report already released (April 2022). 2. We elucidated the biochemical basis of the crucial performance defining myostatin polymorphism in Thoroughbred Horses. Essentially, we discovered why certain Thoroughbred horses are born to be sprinters. In addition, we uncovered a metabolic difference between endurance and sprint Thoroughbred Horses which resulted in us patenting the discovery through TCD & UCD, and us getting a licence to use that IP to grant the company PlusVital to produce the product [World's First Nutrigenomic Product for Thoroughbred Horses, now sold as EnerGene-Q10 by Plusvital]. 3. The majority of my research career has focused on the molecular basis of metabolic rate, a research area that has direct implications for understanding physiology and for developing anti-obesity strategies. I have demonstrated that mitochondrial inefficiency accounts for one fifth our resting metabolic rate and factors, such as body size, that determine metabolic rate also effect mitochondrial efficiency. 3. Cancer Metabolism: We have recently identified, for the first time, IL-6 as a protagonist in metastasis/anoikis resistance and metabolic/mitochondrial programming in oral cancer, while demonstrating the IL-6 receptor is a potential target for therapy. We have also elucidated anti-cancer target data for (a) neuroblastoma cancers (b) mesothelioma and non-small lung cancer cells (c) breast cancer cells. Another, project is looking at the role of intracellular Fatty Acid Binding Proteins (FABPs) on cancer cell phenotype in brain cancer.