Cahir O'Kane

Cahir O'Kane is a Fellow at the University of Cambridge, affiliated with the School of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on the structure-function relationships of neuronal membrane compartments, including their basic biology and relevance to neurodegenerative disease. Particular interest lies in axonal endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which is implicated in hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). His work incorporates techniques such as Drosophila genetics, confocal microscopy, live microscopy, electron microscopy, and calcium imaging. Research themes include neurological disease, neuronal cell biology, membrane organisation, axons, and the endoplasmic reticulum.

Cahir O'Kane is a researcher in the Department of Genetics at the University of Cambridge, focusing on Drosophila Neurobiology and Neurodegeneration. His work explores mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's and Parkinson's, using genetic and molecular approaches in Drosophila models. Key areas include autophagy, mTOR signaling, and the role of lysosomal function in neuronal health. His research also investigates the impact of protein aggregation, synaptic transmission, and membrane trafficking on neurodegeneration. By combining genetic manipulation with behavioral and cellular assays, O'Kane's studies provide insights into potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative disorders.