Prof Joe Gallagher

PhD

Prof Joe Gallagher

Profile

I graduated from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth (BSc. in Biology and Chemistry, Ph.D., in antimicrobial compounds, fungal fermentation and yeast biochemistry. I have since worked in the areas of microbial and plant molecular biology, enzymology and biochemistry. Initially on the characterisation, cloning and expression of recombinant cellulases and chitinases from both fungi and bacteria, and later on the genes and enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism in grasses and clovers.

Teaching

Lecturer
Grader

Research

The principle aim of my research is to understand components of carbohydrate metabolism and digestibility in grasses (e.g. Miscanthus and perennial ryegrass) and to translate these to improving crop performance, processability, and substrate supply for biorefining. This involves studying gene regulation and expression, the properties of gene products and their localisation within the plant/cell. This allows us to identifying candidate genes and markers for use in gene mapping and breeding programmes.

Other research activities include biorefining of plant feedstocks to fine and bulk chemicals including biofuels. We have on-going research projects along the pipeling from feedstock to product that includes: feedstock development and agronomy; pre-processing; processing and product isolation at a range of scales (this includes microbe and enzyme discovery); valorisation of other components; modelling and process integration.

Research Groups

  • Bioeconomy

Publications

Giles, H, Bull, SP, Lignou, S, Gallagher, J, Faka, M & Methven, L 2024, 'A narrative review investigating the potential effect of lubrication as a mitigation strategy for whey protein-associated mouthdrying', Food Chemistry, vol. 436, 137603. 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137603
Giles, H, P Bull, S, Lignou, S, Gallagher, J, Faka, M, Rodriguez-Garcia, J & Methven, L 2025, 'Co-spray drying whey protein isolate with polysaccharides provides additional lubrication impacting the sensory profile of model beverages', Food Hydrocolloids, vol. 160, 110778. 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.110778
Bryant, D, Sandoval, J, Gallagher, J, Rodriguez-Garcia, J & Whiteside, K 2024 'Improved Nutritional Value of Surplus Bread and Perennial Ryegrass Extracts Via Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) with Rhizopus oligosporus'. 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3973183/v1
Sandoval, JF, Gallagher, J, Rodriguez-Garcia, J, Whiteside, K & Bryant, DN 2024, 'Improved nutritional value of surplus bread and perennial ryegrass via solid-state fermentation with Rhizopus oligosporus', npj Science of Food, vol. 8, no. 1, 95. 10.1038/s41538-024-00338-y
Warren-Walker, D, Ravella, SR, Gallagher, J, Winters, A, Charlton, A & Bryant, D 2024, 'Optimising parameters for pilot scale steam explosion and continuous pressurised disc refining of Miscanthus and sugarcane bagasse for xylose and xylo-oligosaccharide release', Bioresource Technology, vol. 405, 130932. 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130932
More publications on the Research Portal