Current Teaching

Supervise students and/or dissertation marking from the following courses

Past Teaching at Medical University of South Carolina, SC

Guest Lecturer at Medical University of South Carolina, SC

Past Teaching at University of California San Diego/San Diego State University, CA

I maintain active research collaborations with groups in the USA (University of California, Medical University of South Carolina, Wake Forest School of Medicine), (Université de Camerino & Università Politecnica delle Marche (Italy), National University of Ireland Galway (Ireland), University of Aberdeen (Scotland) and Swansea University (Wales).

Current and Recent Research Funding

Space omics in Europe

The European Space Agency (ESA) Space Omics Topical Team recently released its final report and publication of 13 articles in the scientific journal iScience.

In recent years, multiple model systems, including humans, have been exposed to microgravity environments, either real (spaceflight) or simulated. This special issue collates the contributions of European scientists on how to give space biology research the opportunity to meet molecular biology gold standards in the context of international consortia such as ISSOP (https://issop.space/) and the Space Omics Topical Team. This collection also addressed a general stress response, usually linked to mitochondrial function, as a common response observed across all kingdoms of life so far, usually observed in synergy with the molecular level adaptation to suboptimal environments, such as those observed in spaceflight and microgravity simulation experiments. The special issue also contains state-of-the-art multi-omics-based contributions, with a particular emphasis on describing past, present, and future contributions of European molecular biology scientists to the international landscape in space omics research.

The Space Omics Topical Team, comprised of established scientists and researchers from across Europe, including Prof. Gary Hardiman and Dr. Thomas Cahill from QUB has been engaged in an ambitious mission to unravel the mysteries of space biology. The pioneering work of the Space Omics Topical Team focuses on the study of omics - genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics - in the unique environment of space, aiming to gain invaluable insights into the effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation on living organisms.

Among these contributions, three articles feature QUB, affirming our organisation’s role in advancing space omics research.

The full list of published articles from QUB can be viewed here:

Aránzazu Manzano, Silvio Weging, Daniela Bezdan, Joseph Borg, Thomas Cahill, Eugénie Carnero-Diaz, Henry Cope, Colleen S. Deane, Timothy Etheridge, Stefania Giacomello, Gary Hardiman, Natalie Leys, Pedro Madrigal, Felice Mastroleo, F. Javier Medina, Jakub Mieczkowski, Manuel A. Fernandez-Rojo, Keith Siew, Nathaniel J. Szewczyk, Stephen B. Walsh, Willian A. da Silveira, Raúl Herranz. Enhancing European capabilities for application of multi-omics studies in biology and biomedicine space research. iScience. 2023 Sep 15;26(9). Space Omics Topical Team; Colleen S. Deane, Joseph Borg, Thomas Cahill, Eugénie Carnero-Diaz, Timothy Etheridge, Gary Hardiman, Natalie Leys, Pedro Madrigal, Aránzazu Manzano, Felice Mastroleo, F. Javier Medina, Manuel A. Fernandez-Rojo, Keith Siew, Nathaniel J. Szewczyk, Alicia Villacampa, Stephen B. Walsh, Silvio Weging, Daniela Bezdan, Stefania Giacomello, Willian A. da Silveira, Raúl Herranz. Space omics research in Europe: Contributions, geographical distribution, and ESA member state funding schemes. iScience. 2022 Feb 15;25(3):103920. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103920. Andrew Millar-Wilson, Órla Ward, Eolann Duffy, Gary Hardiman. Multiscale modelling in the framework of biological systems and its potential for spaceflight biology studies. Iscience. 2022 Oct 26; (11), 105421. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105421

The Space Omics Topical Team members promote standard application of space omics in Europe. They focused their final report on four main themes: i) continued participation in and co-ordination with international omics endeavours; ii) strengthening of the European space omics infrastructure including workforce and facilities; iii) capitalizing on the emerging opportunities in the commercial space sector, and iv) capitalizing on the emerging opportunities in human subjects’ research.

For more information or opportunities to work in the space omics sector, you may contact Prof. Gary Hardiman by email.

Ecotoxicological Impacts of Micro(Nano)plastics in the Environment: Biotic and Abiotic Interactions

Prof Hardiman, Prof. Tony Walker, Dr. Cristina Panti, Dr. Miguel Oliveira, and Dr. Farhan Khan edited a special issue in MDPI Microplastics. The issue reflects upon the significance of recent findings on Micro(Nano)plastics and the implications they hold for our planet and its inhabitants. The journey to fully comprehend the ecotoxicological impacts of microplastics requires an unwavering commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and a steadfast embrace of the One Health Approach. This issue is a catalyst for further research, innovation, and concerted efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of microplastics, ultimately preserving the health and integrity of our environment for future generations.

Prof Hardiman publishes new book with Oliana Carnevali ‘Environmental Contaminants and Endocrine Health.

The book focuses specifically on contaminants with hormonal-disrupting activities and provides insights into the multiple effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and their mechanism of action (MoA). The content covers EDC sources and impacts, EDCs as sources of disease and health impairment in laboratory models, EDCs as the cause of illness and health impairment in humans and wild species, and the removal of hazardous pollutants from wastewaters to highlight intervention, mitigation, and adaptation for reduced threat.

Lihini Nilma from Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (ECT+)

A nice spotlight on one of our visiting students at QUB Lihini Nilma from Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (ECT+) -She has been working at QUB School of Biological Science and Institute for Global Food Security with ALİ CAN and Prof Hardiman and focusing on utilizing high content screening (HCS) to evaluate the impacts of the two most-produced biodegradable plastics. #biodegradableplastics #microplastics #nanoplastics #MNPs #OneHealth #PLA #PCL

Hailing from Sri Lanka and studying at University of Pau and Adour Countries, the Universidade do Porto and the Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea Lihini’s master’s thesis, now at Queen’s University Belfast, delves into the effects of biodegradable micro and #nanoplastics (BMNP) on human health.

With the reduction in the use of conventional #plastics, the plastics #industry has shifted towards the production of compostable #biodegradable plastics, manufacturing over 2,11 million tonnes in 2018 alone.

However, the environmental and ecological effects of biodegradable micro and nanoplastics (BMNPs), including the adsorption and release of toxic substances, as well as the role of BMNPs in transporting legacy contaminants, are yet to be fully understood.

While not all biodegradable plastics exhibit the same rates of decay in the aquatic environment, biodegradation can still take a considerable amount of time.

The objective of this project is to assess the implications of transitioning from oil-based plastics to newer biodegradable alternatives. She is focusing on utilizing high content screening (HCS) to evaluate the impacts of the two most-produced biodegradable plastics, namely biobased PLA (polylactic acid) and non-biobased PCL (Polycaprolactone), on three human cell lines: Caco-2 (human intestine cells), HepG2 (human hepatoma cells), and SH-SY5Y (human brain cells).

Ada Madrid Sandoval presents at the VIBE meeting.

Ada Madrid Sandoval has an opportunity to present her master’s dissertation project at Virtual Institute of Bioinformatics and Evolution, All-Ireland Conference in May 2023. Her work explores how bisphenol A alters the transcriptome of the developing zebrafish.

Toxic mechanisms underlying Aflatoxin B1 exposure

Delighted to see this paper published in May 2023 - where we explore the toxic mechanisms underlying Aflatoxin B1 exposure -congrats to all authors and in particular to Jacopo Umberto Verga - he arrived in Belfast as an ERASMUS visiting student the week before we went into lockdown back down in 2019 - it was a tough time for all of us - but being in a new city and alone I really felt for him - this paper is a testament to his resilience and perseverance.

Congrats to Dr. Thomas Cahill on passing his Ph.D. viva exam.

Congrats to Dr. Thomas Cahill on passing his Ph.D. viva exam in May 2023. Many thanks to Prof. Stephen Harridge from KCL and Prof. Mark Mooney for serving as examiners, and Prof. Brian Green for chairing.

Transcriptome Profiling Reveals Enhanced Mitochondrial Activity as a Cold Adaptive Strategy to Hypothermia in Zebrafish Muscle

Check out our new research paper led by Dr. Thomas Cahill which characterises the response to low dose radiation in zebrafish muscle, explores transcriptomic mechanisms of radioprotection from an induced torpor-like state, and reveals shared strategies to cold tolerance with hibernating animals

Prof Hardiman was thrilled to give a talk in March 2023 at the @UNESCO_fr@LimnoPlast conference focussed on microplastic sources, impacts, behavior, economic perspectives, and innovative technological solutions.

How to improve traceability with genomics?

How does sequencing provide a trail back to a food source and what are the practical applications of this exciting science? An end to end solution and deep dive into the actual technological platforms available.

With Dr. Marc Allard, Research Microbiology, US Food and Drug Administration and Jacob Sickmann Ransborg, Eurofins

Congratulations to Alix McDaid, DAERA PhD Student in Biological Sciences for receiving first place in the poster prize competition (Second Year PhD students)

Congratulations to Christina Biamis, QUADRAT PhD Student in Biological Sciences for receiving first place in the poster prize competition (Third Year PhD students)

Congratulations to Eolann Duffy - Final Year Undergrad Student BSc Biological Sciences for receiving the ‘Outstanding Commitment Prize for a graduating UG student’.

Congratulations to Dr. Hao Wang on passing her PhD. viva exam

Congrats to Rebecca Morgan on her first first-author publication. Long non-coding RNAs and their potential impact on diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy in prostate cancer: racial, ethnic, and geographical considerations

Congrats to Hardiman Lab students Jacopo Umberto Verga, Matthew Huff and Diarmuid Owens on their publication ‘Integrated Genomic and Bioinformatics Approaches to Identify Molecular Links between Endocrine Disruptors and Adverse Outcomes’

BBC RADIO ULSTER Evening Extra 21/05/2021

New research shows how the zebrafish could help humans reach Mars

New link between cell damage in astronauts and geriatric-type health problems observed in space

Scientists examine why travelling through space, exposure to radiation and micro-gravity ‘accelerate ageing’

Simulated heart attacks could help researchers screen drugs

Fabulous scientific facts - as chosen by scientists; Zebrafish could help humans reach Mars

Interplay Between MicroRNAs and Targeted Genes in Cellular Homeostasis of Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Gary Hardiman (Medical University of South Carolina) received U01 to study opioid dependence in HS rats

Guardians of the environment

Hollings Cancer Center researcher lands $8M grant to improve cancer outcomes for minority men

Racial Disparities At Transcriptome Level Found For Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer Genes in African American Men May Be Affected by Vitamin D Supplementation

Transcriptome differences in prostate cancer highlight racial disparities and vitamin D

Weathered oil from DW Horizon spill may threaten fish embryos and larvae development

Access Denied: Leukemia Thwarted by Cutting off Link to Environmental Support

Harnessing Big Data

Researchers Find Link between Inflammation, Tissue Regeneration, and Wound Repair Response

Split Decision: Stem Cell Signal Linked With Cancer Growth

Researchers Describe First Functioning “Lipidome” of Mouse Macrophage

Q&A: UCSD’s Hardiman on an Aquatic Multispecies Array to Study the Effects of Endocrine Disruption

UC San Diego Receives $2.5 Million NIH Grant To Establish Digestive Diseases Research Center

UCSD’s Gary Hardiman Discusses The Future Of Core Array Faclities