Inside Curious Minds
Guest Profile
Guest Brief
Prof. Luke O'Neill
Immunologist · Professor of Biochemistry · Author · Broadcaster · Musician
"If we follow science, we might finally reach the ultimate ambition which is to live long and prosper."
Life arc · key inflection points
🔬
1985–88
Pharmacology &
Synovial Research
Synovial Research
🧬
1991–05
Innate Immunity
Discovery
Discovery
💊
2016–20
Biotech
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
🎙️
2020–now
Pandemic
Communication
Communication
Origin story
"My mother gave me a chemistry set for Christmas and I started doing experiments. And guess what? It blew up and stained my bedroom ceiling with a big brown stain. My mother came running up the stairs going, 'What have you done?'"
— Prof. Luke O'Neill
Fast facts
BornJune 17, 1964 · Dublin/Bray, Ireland
BSNatural Sciences (Biochemistry), Trinity College Dublin, 1985
PhDPharmacology, University of London, 1988
NowChair of Biochemistry, Trinity College Dublin; Head of Inflammation Research Group
BooksThe Great Irish Science Book, Humanology, Keep Calm and Trust the Science + more
BandFrontman of The Metabollix — all-scientist rock cover band
HonourFellow of the Royal Society (FRS), 2016
6 core themes
Innate immunity
Immunometabolism
Biotech translation
Science communication
Music & creativity
Public health
Key contributions & innovations
🔑
The 'Mal' Protein Master Switch
Discovered six major pillars in innate immunity, including the protein Mal — a vital master switch triggering the body's primary immune responses.
Late 1990s / 2000s
🛡️
Toll-Like Receptors & Inflammasomes
Revolutionised global understanding of how the body detects infections and shapes chronic inflammatory conditions via biochemical receptors.
Trinity College Dublin
💊
Inflammatory Disease Biotech
Co-founded Inflazome to develop NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Acquired by Roche in 2020 for €380m.
2016 · Inflazome → Roche
⚡
Immunometabolism Pioneer
Published breakthrough findings on Krebs cycle intermediates (succinate, itaconate) acting as direct metabolic signalling switches inside immune cells.
2018 · Trinity College Dublin
🎙️
Global Science Communication
Critical media voice decoding COVID-19 health data on international radio, podcasts, and print. Won SFI Science Communicator of the Year Award.
2020–Present
📖
Best-Selling Science Author
Author of five acclaimed books making complex immunology accessible to the public, including Humanology and Keep Calm and Trust the Science.
2018–2023
Fields & influence
Innate immunityTop 1% of the world's most highly cited researchers in immunology (Clarivate).
ImmunometabolismLed the reimagining of cellular energy pathways linked to aggressive immune cell behaviour.
Biotech entrepreneurshipTranslated lab breakthroughs into multi-million-euro pharmaceutical pipelines (Sitryx, Inflazome).
Public science literacyFellow of the Royal Society (FRS); national voice for evidence-based science communication.
Science & cultureFrontman of The Metabollix — bridging science and music to reach wider audiences.
Recognitions
Major Scientific Awards
Boyle Medal for Scientific Excellence — RDS & Irish Times, 2009
Royal Irish Academy Gold Medal — Life Sciences, 2012
European Federation of Immunology Societies (EFIS) Medal, 2014
Milstein Award — International Cytokine & Interferon Society, 2018
Landsteiner Award — Austrian Academy of Sciences, 2019
SFI Researcher of the Year
Fellowships & Memberships
Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) — first Irish biologist elected in 50+ years, 2016
European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO), elected 2005
Royal Irish Academy (MRIA), elected 2004
Global & Institutional Recognition
Top 1% most highly cited scientists — Clarivate Analytics
Multiple ERC Advanced Grants (rare multi-awardee)
Honorary Doctorates — University of Bath & UMass Chan Medical School
Honorary Life Member — Int'l Cytokine & Interferon Society (2022)
Honorary Fellow — British Pharmacological Society (2024)
Literature Awards
An Post Irish Book Award — Non-Fiction Book of the Year, 2020
Watch & listen
Books
01Keep Calm and Trust the Science
02Never Mind the B#ll*cks, Here's the Science: A scientist's guide to the biggest challenges facing our species today
03What Makes Us Human: A Scientist's Guide to Our Amazing Existence
04Humanology: A Scientist's Guide to Our Amazing Existence
05Show Me the Science: Life's Biggest Questions and How Science Answers Them