Dr. Simone Marcone, PhD
Lecturer / Assistant Professor in Cell and Molecular Biology, UCD School of Biology & Environmental Science, O’Brien Science Centre
Scopus ID: 35810787900, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5516-4000
simone.marcone1@ucd.ie
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Biographical Sketch:
Dr Simone Marcone is an Assistant Professor in Cell and Molecular Biology at the School of
Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin (UCD). With a foundational
background in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from “La Sapienza” University in Rome and a PhD
in Molecular Medicine from UCD, Dr Marcone brings a robust interdisciplinary approach to
biomedical research. His career spans over 15 years of research roles at national and
international institutions including La Sapienza University (Rome – Italy), Catholic University
(Campobasso – Italy), UCD, Systems Biology Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, and
OncoMark.
Dr Marcone’s research lies at the intersection of cell biology, pharmacology, and translational
medicine, with a strong focus on chronic inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular
disorders and cancer. His work has significantly contributed to the identification of novel
bioactive molecules, nanotherapeutics, and proteomic-based diagnostic tools. Notably, his
recent studies have advanced understanding of the role of inflammation and metabolic
reprogramming in cancer development, progression, and treatment resistance.
Throughout his academic journey, Dr Marcone has demonstrated a commitment to
collaborative and impactful science, securing competitive funding from major national
agencies and charities. He is a dedicated educator and mentor, actively involved in
teaching, curriculum development, and student supervision at undergraduate and
postgraduate levels. Additionally, he champions patient and public engagement in research
and advocates for equality, diversity, and inclusion through his work with cancer research
charities and professional committees, including the Irish Association for Cancer Research.
Research Interests:
Dr Simone Marcone’s research interests are centred on translational oncology, particularly
the tumour microenvironment and its role in disease progression and therapy resistance. He
investigates how metabolic reprogramming and inflammatory pathways influence cancer
development, with a specific emphasis on developing targeted approaches to tackle
oesophageal adenocarcinoma and the Barrett’s oesophagus disease sequence.
His work includes:
– Development of novel targeted therapeutics and diagnostic biomarkers using
proteomics and systems biology approaches.
– Elucidation of immune and metabolic mechanisms driving chronic inflammation and
tumour progression.
– Use of ex vivo human explant models and biobank resources to test novel
therapeutics and validate biomarkers.
– Translation of research findings into clinical applications through strong academic-
industry collaborations.
Dr Marcone is particularly interested in stratifying patients based on risk and treatment
response, enabling personalized medicine strategies. His translational approach is aimed at
bridging the gap between bench and bedside to deliver better outcomes for patients with
neoplastic diseases.
Selected publications:
Kane LE, et al. Multi-omic biomarker panel in pancreatic cyst fluid and serum predicts
patients at a high risk of pancreatic cancer development. Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 2;15(1):129. doi:
10.1038/s41598-024-83742-4. PMID: 39747972; PMCID: PMC11696309.
Marcone S, et al. Targeting Radiation Resistance in Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma with
Pyrazinib-Functionalised Gold Nanoparticles. Cancers (Basel). 2024 Nov 29;16(23):4007.
doi: 10.3390/cancers16234007. PMID: 39682192; PMCID: PMC11640662.
Lynch SM, et al. Translating Basic Science Discoveries into Clinical Advances: Highlights
from the EACR-AACR-IACR 2024 Conference in Celebration of Irish Association for Cancer
Research’s 60th Anniversary. Cancers (Basel). 2025 Apr 24;17(9):1420. doi:
10.3390/cancers17091420. PMID: 40361346; PMCID: PMC12071098.
Sundaramurthi H, et al. Ergolide mediates anti-cancer effects on metastatic uveal melanoma
cells and modulates their cellular and extracellular vesicle proteomes. Open Res Eur. 2023
Nov 13;3:88. doi: 10.12688/openreseurope.15973.2. PMID: 37981907; PMCID:
PMC10654492.
Contursi A, et al. Tumor-Educated Platelet Extracellular Vesicles: Proteomic Profiling and
Crosstalk with Colorectal Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel). 2023 Jan 5;15(2):350. doi:
10.3390/cancers15020350. PMID: 36672299; PMCID: PMC9856452.
O’Dowd D, O’Sullivan J, Marcone S. Prognostic, Diagnostic and Predictive Biomarkers in the
Barrett’s Oesophagus-Adenocarcinoma Disease Sequence. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Jul
14;14(14):3427. doi: 10.3390/cancers14143427. PMID: 35884487; PMCID: PMC9315596.
Marcone S, et al. Proteomic signatures of radioresistance: Alteration of inflammation,
angiogenesis and metabolism-related factors in radioresistant oesophageal
adenocarcinoma. Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2021;27:100376. doi:
10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100376. Epub 2021 Apr 18. PMID: 33882379.
