Physics

Biographical Details:

Colette McDonagh studied undergraduate physics at the National University of Ireland in Galway and was awarded a Ph.D. in Physics from Trinity College, Dublin. After postdoctoral work at Trinity College and at the Department of Applied Science at the University of California, Davis, she took up an academic position in the School of Physical Sciences at Dublin City University in 1986. She currently holds the position of Associate Professor. She is director of the Optical Sensors Laboratory (OSL) in the School of Physical Sciences at DCU She is a member of the National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR) and of the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI). Funding for research comes from a variety of sources including industry, EU and national funding bodies. She has over 70 publications in peer-reviewed journals and 1900 citations.

Research Interests:

Sol-gel-based optical chemical sensors This work involves the exploitation of sol-gel materials for optical chemical sensor development. The tailorable, versatile nature of sol-gel materials facilitate the design of sensor films for a range of analytes and application areas. Sensors currently under development include dissolved carbon dioxide sensor for environment monitoring, dissolved oxygen sensor for marine mapping, multi-analyte oxygen and pH sensor for bioprocess monitoring and protective sol-gel coatings with anti-corrosion and anti-microbial properties. Enhancement strategies for optical biosensors This work is part of the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI) and addresses the need for highly sensitive optical biochips for point-of-care diagnostics applications. A range of optical enhancement strategies are under investigation including plasmonic enhancement which exploits the enhanced electric field experienced by a fluorescent dye when in the vicinity of a metal nanoparticle and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based enhancement which exploits the non-radiative energy transfer which can occur between a donor fluorophore whose emission band overlaps the absorption band of an adjacent acceptor fluorophore.

Selected Peer Reviewed Journals

• Anja Schulz, colette McDonagh. 2012. "Intracellular Sensing and Cell Diagnostics using Fluorescent Silica Nanoparticles". Soft Matter, published online 2012,
• Le Guevel Xavier, Nooney Robert, McDonagh Colette, MacCraith Brian D. 2012. Synthesis and characterisation of mesoporous and magnetic sub-micron particles doped with a near infrared fluorescent dye. vol 184 Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 6, pp1545-1550.
• Stephen O'Driscoll, Helen McEvoy, Colette McDonagh. 2012. Enhanced Fluorescence-Based Optical Sensor Performance Using a Simple Optical Collection Strategy. Photonics Technical Letters, available online,
• Oubaha M, Copperwhite R. Boothman C. C., Ovsianikov, A., Kiyan, R., Purlys, V., O'Sullivan, M., McDonagh, C., Chichkov, B., Gadonas, R. and MacCraith, B.D.. 2011. Influence of hybrid organic-inorganic sol-gel matrices on the photophysics of amino-funcionalised UV-sensitizers. Journal of Materials Science, vol 46, 2, pp400-408.
• Schulz Anja, Woolley Robert, Tabarin Thibault, McDonagh Colette. 2011. Dextran-coated silica nanoparticles for calcium-sensing. The Analyst, 136, 8, pp1722-1727.
• Jessica Labeguerie -Egea, Helen McEvoy, Colette McDonagh. 2011. Synthesis, characterisation and functionalisation of luminescent silica nanoparticle. Vol 13, Journal of Nanoparticle Research,, pp6455-6465.
• Mikkelson Morten Bo, Marie Rodolphe, Hensen Jan H. , Wencel Dorota, McDonagh Colette, Nielsen Hans Ole, Christensen Anders. 2011. Controlled deposition of sol-gel sensor material using hemiwicking. Journal Of Micromechanics And Microengineering, 21, 11
• Copperwhite Robert, O'Sullivan Mary, Boothman Catherine, Gorin Arnaud, McDonagh Colette, Oubaha Mohamed. 2011. Development and characterisation of integrated microfluidics on waveguide-based photonic platforms fabricated from hybrid materials. Microfluidics And Nanofluidics, 11, 3, pp112-117.
• Roy Shibsekhar, Dixit Chandra, Woolley Robert, O'Kennedy Richard, McDonagh Colette. 2011. Label-free optical characterisation methods for detecting amine silanization-driven gold nanoparticle self-assembly. Langmuir, 27, 17, pp10421-10428.
• Yuk Jong seol, O'Reilly Emmet, Forster Robert, MacCraith Brian D., McDonagh C. 2011. Demonstration of asurface-plasmon-coupled emission using solid state electrochemiluminesce. Chemical Physics Letters, 513, 1-3, pp112-117.
• Varma P C. Rajaath, Periyat Pradeepan, Oubaha Mohamed, McDonagh Colette, Duffy Brendan. 2011. Application of niobium enriched ormosils as thermally stable coating for aerospace aluminium alloys. Surface And Coatings Technology, 205, 16, pp3998-.
• Gorin, A., Copperwhite, R., Boothman, C., O'Sullivan, M., McDonagh, C. and Oubaha, M. 2011. . Low loss optical channel waveguides for the infrared range using niobium based hybrid sol-gel material. Optics Communications, 284, 8, pp2164-2167.
• Yuk Jongseol, MacCraith Brian D., McDonagh C.. 2011. Signal enhancment of surface plasmon-coupled emission (SPCE) with the evanescent field of surface plasmons on a bimetallic paraboloid biochip. Biosensors & Bioelectronics, 26, 7, pp3213-3218.
• Oubaha M., Copperwhite R., Gorin A., Purlys, V., Boothman, C., O'Sullivan, M., Gadonas, R., McDonagh, C. and MacCraith, B.D. 2011. Novel Tantalum based photocurable hybrid sol-gel material employed in the fabrication of channel optical waveguides and three-dimensional structures. Applied Surface Science, 257, 7, pp2995-2999.
• 3. ESTELLA, J (ESTELLA, JUNCAL); WENCEL, D (WENCEL, DOROTA); MOORE, JP (MOORE, JOHN P.); SOURDAINE, M (SOURDAINE, MAJA); MCDONAGH, C (MCDONAGH, COLETTE) ¿. 2010. Fabrication and performance evaluation of highly sensitive hybrid sol-gel-derived oxygen sensor films based on a fluorinated precursor¿. Analytica Chimica Acta, 666, 1-2, pp83-90.
• M. Oubaha, R. Copperwhite, C. McDonagh, P. Etienne, B.D. MacCraith. 2010. Structural and optical characterisation of an Erbium/Ytterbium doped hybrid material developed via a non-hydrolytic sol-gel route. Article ID 101747, doi:10.3814/2010/101747
• MCDONAGH C, STRANIK O, NOONEY R, MACCRAITH MD. 2010. ¿Nanoparticle strategies for enhancing the sensitivity of fluorescence-based biochips. Nanomedicine, 4, 6, pp645-656.
• NOONEY, ROBERT CLIFFORD, ANDREW, LEGUEVEL, XAVIER, STRANIK, ONDREJ, MCDONAGH, COLETTE, MACCRAITH, BRIAN D. 2010. .¿Enhancing the analytical performance of immunoassays that employ metal-enhanced fluorescence¿. Analytical And Bioanalytical Chemistry, 396, 3
• R. Varma, John Cassidy, Mohamed Oubaha, Colette McDonagh, John Colreavy. Brendan Duffy. 2010. Corrosion protected properties of various ligand organic inorganic coatings on AA2024-T3. Ecs Transactions, 24, 1, pp231-246.
• ROY, SHIBSEKHAR , WOOLLEY, ROBERT, MACCRAITH, BRIAN D. AND MCDONAGH COLETTE. 2010. ¿Fluorescence Lifetime Analysis and Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy Elucidate the Internal Architecture of Fluorescent Silica Nanoparticles¿. Langmuir, 26, 17, pp13741-13746.
• STRANIK, ONDREJ, IACOPINO, DANIELA, NOONEY, ROBERT, MCDONAGH, COLETTE, MACCRAITH, BRIAN D. 2010. ¿Optical Properties of Micro-patterned Silver Nanoparticle Substrates¿. Journal Of Fluorescence, 20, 1, pp1541-0544.
• VARMA PCR (VARMA, P. C. RAJATH)1, COLREAVY J (COLREAVY, JOHN)1, CASSIDY J (CASSIDY, JOHN)2, OUBAHA M (OUBAHA, MOHAMED)3, MCDONAGH C (MCDONAGH, COLETTE)3, DUFFY B (DUFFY, BRENDAN)1. 2010. ¿Corrosion protection of AA 2024-T3 aluminium alloys using 3, 4-diaminobenzoic acid chelated zirconium-silane hybrid sol-gels¿. Thin Solid Films, 518, , pp5753-5761.
• Roy Shibsekhar, Dixit Chandra, Woolley Robert, McDonagh Colette. 2010. Novel Multiparametric approach to elucidate the surface amine-silanisation reaction profile on fluorescent silica nanoparticles. Langmuir, 26, 23, pp18125-18134.
• Dorota Wencel, John Moore, Niall Stevenson, Colette McDonagh. 2010. Rationmetric fluorescence-based dissolved carbon dioxide sensor for use in environmental monitoring applications. Analytical And Bioanalytical Chemistry, 398, 5, pp1899-1907.
• Jong seol Yuk, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith,. 2010. Demonstration of a surface-plasmon coupled emission (SPCE)-based immunoassay in the absence of a spacer layer. Analytical And Bioanalytical Chemistry, 398, 5, pp1947-1954.
• YUK, JONG SEOL. TRNAVSKY, MICHAL, MCDONAGH, COLETTE MACCRAITH, BRIAN D. 2010. ¿Surface plasmon-coupled emission (SPCE)-based immunoassay using a novel paraboloid array biochip¿. Biosensors & Bioelectronics, 25, 6, pp1344-1349.
• D. WENCEL, B. D. MACCRAITH AND C. MCDONAGH,. 2009. ¿High-performance optical ratio metric sol-gel-based pH sensor¿,. Sensors And Actuators B-chemical, 139, 1, pp208-.
• NOONEY RI, MCCAHEY CMN, STRANIK O, MCDONAGH C, MACCRAITH MD. 2009. Experimental and theoretical studies of the optimisation of fluorescence from near-infrared dye-doped silica nanoparticles. Analytical And Bioanalytical Chemistry, 393, 4, pp1143-1149.
• XAVIER LE GUEVEL, FREDDY Y. WANG, ONDREJ STRANIK, ROBERT NOONEY, VLADIMIR GUBALA, COLETTE MCDONAGH, BRIAN D. MACCRAITH. 2009. Synthesis, Stabilization and functionalization of silver nanoplates for biosensor applications. Journal Of Physical Chemistry Part C: Nanomaterials And Interfaces, 113, , pp16380-16386..
• R. VARMA, J. COLREAVY, J. CASSIDY, M. OUBAHA, B. DUFFY, C. MCDONAGH. 2009. Effect of organic chelates on the performance of hybrid sol-gel coated AA20124-T3 Aluminium alloys. Progress In Organic Coatings, 66, 4, pp406-411.
• MCDONAGH C, STRANIK O, NOONEY R, MACCRAITH MD,. 2009. Nanoparticle strategies for enhancing the sensitivity of fluorescence-based biochips¿, Nanomedicine,. Nanomedicine, 4, 6, pp645-656.
• R. I. NOONEY, O. STRANIK, MCDONAGH C. and B. D. MACCRAITH,. 2008. Optimization of plasmonic enhancement of fluorescence on plastic substrates. Langmuir, 24, , pp11261-11267.
• C. HIGGINS, D. WENCEL, C. S. BURKE, B. D. MACCRAITH, and C. MCDONAGH. 2008. Novel hybrid optical sensor materials for in-breath O-2 analysis. The Analyst, 133, , pp241-247.
• C. MCDONAGH, C. S. BURKE, and B. D. MACCRAITH,. 2008. Optical chemical sensors. Chemical Reviews, 108, , pp400-422.
• M. TRNAVSKY, J. ENDERLEIN, T. RUCKSTUHL, C. MCDONAGH, and B. D. MACCRAITH,. 2008. Experimental and theoretical evaluation of surface plasmon-coupled emission for sensitive fluorescence detection. Journal Of Biomedical Optics, 13, , pp054021-.
• Wencel D.; Higgins C.; Klukowska A.; MacCraith B.D.; McDonagh C.;. 2007. Novel sol-gel derived films for luminescence based oxygen and pH sensing Materials Science-Poland. vol 25, No 3.
• Ondrej Stranik, Robert Nooney, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith. 2007. ¿Optimisation of nanoparticle size for plasmonic enhancement of fluorescence¿, , Plasmonics,(2007) Vol 2, 15-22. 2, , pp15-22.
• Conor S.Burke, Adam Markey, Robert Nooney, Patrick Byrne, Colette McDonagh. 2006. ¿Development of an optical sensor probe for the detection of dissolved carbon dioxide¿,. Sensors And Actuators B-chemical, 119, , pp288-294.
• Orla McGaughey, Jose Vicente Ros-Lis, Adrian Guckian, Aisling K. McEvoy, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith,. 2006. ¿Development of a fluorescence lifetime-based sol-gel humidity sensor¿,. Analytica Chimica Acta, 570, , pp15-20.
• Burke, CS, McGaughey, O, Sabattie, JM, Barry, H, McEvoy, AK, McDonagh, C, MacCraith, BD. 2005. Development of an integrated optic oxygen sensor using a novel, generic platform. The Analyst, 130, 1, pp41-45.
• Stranik, O, McEvoy, HM, McDonagh, C, MacCraith, BD. 2005. Plasmonic enhancement of fluorescence for sensor applications. Sensors And Actuators B-chemical, 107, 1, pp148-153.
• C. McDonagh, P. Bowe, K. Mongey, B.D. MacCraith. 2003. Characterisation of porosity and sensor response times of sol-gel-derived thin films for oxygen sensor applications. Journal Of Non-crystalline Solids, 306, 2, pp138-148.
• Christoph von Bultzingslowen, Aisling K. McEvoy, Colette McDonagh and Brian D. MacCraith,. 2003. ¿Lifetime-based optical sensor for high-level pCO2 detection employing fluorescence resonance energy transfer¿,. Analytica Chimica Acta, 480, 2, pp275-283.
• Brian D. MacCraith and Colette McDonagh. 2002. Enhanced fluorescence sensing using sol-gel materials. 12, 314, pp333-342.
• C. McDonagh, P. Bowe, K. Mongey and B. D. MacCraith,. 2002. ¿Characterisation of porosity and sensor response times of sol-gel-derived thin films for oxygen sensor applications¿,. Journal Of Non-crystalline Solids, 306, 2, pp138-148.
• Christoph von Bultzingslowen, Aisling K. McEvoy, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith. 2002. Lifetime-based optical sensor for high-level pCO2 detection employing fluorescence resonance energy transfer. 480, 2, pp275-283.
• Christoph von Bultzingslowen, Aisling K. McEvoy, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith, Ingo Klimant, Otto S.Wolfbeis. 2002. Sol-gel-based optical carbon dioxide sensor employing dual luminophore referencing for application in food packaging technology. The Analyst, 127,, pp1478-1483.
• Jan Hradil, Claire Davis, Karen Mongey, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith. 2002. Temperature-corrected pressure sensitive paint measurements using a single camera and a dual lifetime approach. Measurement Science & Technology, 13,, pp1552-1557.
• C. McDonagh, C. Kolle, A.K. McEvoy,D. Dowling, A. Cafolla, S.J. Cullen, B.D. MacCraith. 2001. Phase fluorimetric dissolved oxygen sensor. Sensors And Actuators B-chemical, 74,1-3,, pp124-130.
• Karen F. Mongey, Johannes G. Vos, Brian D. MacCraith, Colette McDonagh. 1999. The photophysical properties of monomeric and dimeric ruthenium polypyridyl complexes immobilised in sol-gel matrices. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 185-186,, pp417-429.
• C. McDonagh, A.M. Shields, A. K. McEvoy, B.D. MacCraith, J.F. Gouin. 1998. Optical sol-gel-based dissolved oxygen sensor:progress towards a commercial sensor. Journal Of Sol-gel Science And Technology, 13,, pp207-211.
• C. McDonagh, B.D. MacCraith and A. K. McEvoy,. 1998. ¿Tailoring of Sol-Gel Films for Optical Sensing of Oxygen in Gas and Aqueous Phase¿,. Analytical Chemistry, 70, 1, pp45-50.
• C. McDonagh, B.D. MacCraith, A.K. McEvoy. 1998. Tailoring of sol-gel films for optical sensing of oxgyen in gas and aqueous phase. Analytical Chemistry, 70,, pp45-50.
• P. Lavin, C. McDonagh, B. D. MacCraith. 1998. Optimisation of ormosil films for optical sensor applications. Journal Of Sol-gel Science And Technology, 13,, pp641-645.
• T.M. Butler, B.D. MacCraith, C.McDonagh. 1998. Leaching in sol-gel-derived silica films for optical pH sensing. Journal Of Non-crystalline Solids, 224, 3, pp249-258.
• A.K. McEvoy, C.McDonagh, B. D McCraith. 1997. Optimisation of sol-gel-derived films for optical oxygen sensing. Journal Of Sol-gel Science And Technology, 8,, pp1121-1125.
• B.D.MacCraith, C. McDonagh, A.K. McEvoy,T. Butler. G. O'Keeffe, and V. Murphy. 1997. Optical Chemical Sensors based on sol-gel materials:recent advances and critical issues. Journal Of Sol-gel Science And Technology, 8,, pp1053-1061.
• K.F. Mongey, J. G. Vos, B.D. MacCraith, C. M. McDonagh, C. Coates, J.J. McGarvey. 1997. ¿Photophysics of mixed-ligand polypyriyl; ruthenium(II) complexes immobilized in silica sol-gel monoliths¿,. Journal Of Materials Chemistry, 7, 8, pp1473-1473.
• K.F. Mongey, J.G.Vos, B.D. MacCraith, C.M.McDonagh, C. Coates, J.J. McGarvey. 1997. Photophysics of mixed-ligand polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes immobilised in silica sol-gel monoliths. Journal Of Materials Chemistry, 7,, pp1473-*.
• Mongey K., Vos J. G., MacCraith B. D. and Mc Donagh C., J. Sol-gel Science and Technology. 1997. ¿The Photophysical properties of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes within a sol-gel matrix¿. Journal Of Sol-gel Science And Technology, 8, , pp979-983.
• Mongey K., Vos J.G., MacCraith B.D., McDonagh C.,. 1997. The photophysical properties of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes within a sol-gel matrix. Journal Of Sol-gel Science And Technology, 8,, pp979-983.
• Murphy V MacCraith BD Butler T McDonagh C Lawless B. 1997. Quasi-distributed fibre-optic chemical sensing using telecom optical fibre. Electronics Letters, 33,, pp618-619.
• Aisling K. McEvoy, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith. 1996. Dissolved oxygen sensor based on fluoresence quenching of oxygen-sensitive ruthenium complexes immobilised in sol-gel-derived porous coatings. The Analyst, 121,, pp785-788.
• McEvoy AK McDonagh CM MacCraith BD. 1996. Dissolved oxygen sensor based on fluorescence quenching of oxygen-sensitive ruthenium complexes immobilized in sol-gel- derived porous silica coatings. The Analyst, 121,, pp785-788.
• McDonagh C Sheridan F Butler T MacCraith BD. 1996. Characterisation of sol-gel-derived silica films. Journal Of Non-crystalline Solids, 194,, pp72-77.
• MACCRAITH BD MCDONAGH CM OKEEFFE G MCEVOY AK BUTLER T SHERIDAN FR. 1995. SOL-GEL COATINGS FOR OPTICAL CHEMICAL SENSORS AND BIOSENSORS. Sensors And Actuators B-chemical, 29,, pp51-57.
• OKEEFFE G MACCRAITH BD MCEVOY AK MCDONAGH CM MCGILP JF. 1995. DEVELOPMENT OF A LED-BASED PHASE FLUOROMETRIC OXYGEN SENSOR USING EVANESCENT-WAVE EXCITATION OF A SOL-GEL IMMOBILIZED DYE. Sensors And Actuators B-chemical, 29,, pp226-230.
• B. D. MacCraith, C. McDonagh, G. O¿Keeffe, T. Butler, B. O¿Kelly and J. F. McGilp,. 1994. ¿Fibre-optic chemical sensors based on evanescent wave interactions in sol-gel-derived porous coatings¿,. Journal Of Sol-gel Science And Technology, 2, , pp661-665.
• P. Kiernan, C. McDonagh, B.D. MacCraith, K. Mongey,. 1994. "Ruthenium-doped sol-gel derived silica films: oxygen sensitivity of optical decay times",. Journal Of Sol-gel Science And Technology, 2, , pp513-517.
• MACCRAITH BD OKEEFFE G MCEVOY AK MCDONAGH CM MCGILP JF OKELLY B OMAHONY JD CAVANAGH M. 1994. LIGHT-EMITTING-DIODE-BASED OXYGEN SENSING USING EVANESCENT-WAVE EXCITATION OF A DYE-DOPED SOL-GEL COATING. Optical Engineering, 33,, pp3861-3866.
• MACCRAITH BD OKEEFFE G MCDONAGH C MCEVOY AK. 1994. LED-BASED FIBER OPTIC OXYGEN SENSOR USING SOL-GEL COATING. Electronics Letters, 30,, pp888-889.
• B.D. MacCraith, C. McDonagh, G. O¿Keeffe, E.T. Keyes, J. G. Vos, B. O¿Kelly and J. F. McGilp,. 1993. ¿Fiber Optic sensor based on fluorescence quenching of evanescent-wave excited ruthenium complexes in sol-gel-derived porous coatings¿. The Analyst, 118, 4, pp385-.
• MACCRAITH BD MCDONAGH CM OKEEFE G KEYES ET VOS JG OKELLY B MCGILP JF. 1993. FIBER OPTIC SENSOR BASED ON FLUORESCENCE QUENCHING OF EVANESCENT-WAVE EXCITED RUTHENIUM COMPLEXES IN SOL-GEL DERIVED POROUS COATINGS. The Analyst, 118,, pp385-388.
• MCDONAGH C ENNIS G MARRON P OKELLY B TANG ZR MCGILP JF. 1992. CHARACTERIZATION OF SOL-GEL GLASSES USING OPTICAL PROBES. Journal Of Non-crystalline Solids, 147,, pp97-101.
• DEVLIN K OKELLY B TANG ZR MCDONAGH C MCGILP JF. 1991. A STRUCTURAL STUDY OF THE SOL-GEL PROCESS BY OPTICAL FLUORESCENCE AND DECAY TIME SPECTROSCOPY. Journal Of Non-crystalline Solids, 135,, pp8-14.
• OCONNOR GM MCDONAGH CJ ANDERSON FG GLYNN TJ MORGAN GP HUGHES GJ ROBERTS L HENRY MO. 1991. RAMAN CHARACTERIZATION OF PASSIVATED GAAS-SURFACES. Applied Surface Science, 50,, pp312-316.
• MCDONAGH C OKELLY B DEVLIN K TANG ZR MCGILP J. 1990. OPTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SOL-GEL GLASSES. Institute Of Physics Conference Series,, pp435-440.
• J.M.D. Coey, T. Bakas, C. McDonagh and F. J. Litturst¿,. 1989. ¿Electrical and Magnetic properties of Cronstedtite¿. Physics And Chemistry Of Minerals, 16, , pp394-400.
• C. McDonagh and B. Henderson,. 1985. ¿Exchange interactions between Cr3+ ions in MgO:III Luminescence and site selective spectroscopy¿,. Journal Of Physics C: Solid State Physics, 18, , pp6419-6419.
• C. McDonagh, B. Henderson,. 1984. ¿Selective excitation of exchange coupled Cr3+ pairs in MgO¿. Journal Of Luminescence, 31, , pp32-32.
• J.M.D. Coey, A. Moukarika and C. M. McDonagh. 1982. ¿Electron hopping in Cronstedtite¿,. Solid State Communications, 41, 11, pp797-800.
• P. Edel, F. J. Ahlers, C. M. McDonagh, B. Henderson and J. M. Spaeth,. 1982. ¿Circularly polarised emission from F and FA centres in CaO¿,. Journal Of Physics C: Solid State Physics, 15, , pp4923-4919.
• B.D. MacCraith, T. J. Glynn, G. F. Imbusch and C. M. McDonagh,. 1980. ¿Optical excitation transfer in MgO:Cr3+¿,. Journal Of Physics C: Solid State Physics, 13, , pp4211-4211.
• C. M. McDonagh, B. Henderson, G. F. Imbusch.,. 1980. ¿Optical Detection of Magnetic Resonance in the vibronic sidebands of R and N lines in MgO:Cr3+2, 3. Journal Of Physics C: Solid State Physics, 13, , pp6025-6031.
• P. Dawson, C. McDonagh, B. Henderson and L.S. Walsh. . 11, 983. 1978. ¿On the triplet state of FA(Mg) Centres in Calcium Oxide¿. Journal Of Physics C: Solid State Physics, 11, , pp983-983.

Selected Chapters

• McDonagh c. Stranik O. Nooney R and MacCraith B. 2008. Optimisation of plasmonic enhancement of fluorescence for optical biosensor applications. The role of plasmonic engineering in surface-enhanced fluorescence

Reviews

• Professor Colette McDonagh. 2012. "Intracellular Sensing and Cell Diagnostics using Fluorescent Silica Nanoparticles" . Soft Matter, on line,
• Professor Colette McDonagh. 2009. Nanoparticle strategies for enhancing the sensitivity of fluorescence-based biochips. Nanomedicine, 4, pp645-656.
• Professor Colette McDonagh. 2008. Optical chemical sensors. Chemical Reviews, 108,, pp400-422.

Selected Non-peer Reviewed Journals

• C. Higgins, D. Wencel, C. McDonagh, B.D. MacCraith. 2005. Novel hybrid materials for smart sensor windows. Proc SPIE, 5826, pp696-705.
• H. McEvoy, R. Blue, N. Kent, C. McDonagh, B.D. MacCraith. 2005. ¿Novel Platform for enhanced biochip performance¿ . Proc SPIE, 5826, pp512-519.
• O. Stranik, R. Nooney, C. McDonagh, B.D. MacCraith. 2005. Enhanced optical biochip performance using plasmonics. Proc SPIE, 5824, pp79-85.
• O. Stranik, C. McDonagh, B.D. MacCraith. 2004. Plasmonic enhancement of fluorescence for sensor applications. Proc. SPIE, 5450, pp144-149.
• Aisling K. McEvoy, Christoph von Bultzingslowen, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith, Ingo Klimant, Otto S. Wolfbeis. 2003. Optical sensors for application in intelligent food packaging technology. Proc SPIE,, 4876,, pp834-842.
• Jan Hradil, Claire Davis, Karen Mongey, David Gray, Tara Dalton, Colette McDonagh and Brian D. MacCraith,. 2003. Temperature-corrected pressure sensitive paint measurements for aerodynamic applications. Proc SPIE,, 4876, pp867-874.
• X. Poteau, B.D. MacCraith, C., McDonagh. 2002. Ratiometric sensor for dissolved oxygen in seawater. Proc. SPIE, 4876, pp806-815.
• Butler T., MacCraith B.D., and McDonagh C. 1995. Development of an extended-range pH sensor using evanescent wave absorption of sol-gel entrapped pH indicators. Proc. SPIE, 2508, pp190-198.
• McEvoy A.K., McDonagh C. and MacCraith B.D. 1995. Development of a fibre optic dissolved oxygen sensor based on quenching of a ruthenium complex entrapped in a sol-gel film. , 2508, pp168-176.
• B.D. MacCraith, C. McDonagh, G. O¿Keeffe, A.K. McEvoy,. 1994. Sol-gel coatings for optical chemical sensors and biosensors. Proc SPIE,, 2288, pp518-528.
• G. O'Keeffe, B. MacCraith, A.K. McEvoy and C. McDonagh. 1994. Development of an intrinsic phase fluourimetric oxygen sensor using a high-intensity blue LED. SPIE Proceedings Vol. 2360, "OFS 10, 10th International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors",, 2360, pp461-464.
• B.D. MacCraith, C. McDonagh, G. O¿Keeffe, P. Kiernan. B. O¿Kelly and J. F. McGilp,. 1993. ¿Evanescent wave sensors based on sol-gel-derived porous coating: and oxygen sensor¿,. Proc. S.P.I.E., 1796, pp167-167.
• C. McDonagh, P. Marron, P. Kiernan and J. F. McGilp,. 1992. ¿Optical probes in sol-gel silica¿,. Proc. S.P.I.E. (U.S.A.),, 1758, pp48-52.

• H. McEvoy, PP Dillon, C. McDonagh, BD MacCraith, R. O¿Kennedy , Development of a Fluorescence Based Biochip for Multianalyte Immunosensing, Institute of Physics Conference: Sensors & Their Applications XII 2003, - , , 39 - 43
• J. Hradil, c. Davis, K. Mongey, D. Gray, T. Dalton, C. McDonagh, BD MacCraith, Pressure Sensitive Paint Measurements for Aerodynamic Applications, Sensors & Their Applications XII, (2003), - , , 85 - 89
• C. McDonagh, K. Devlin, G. Ennis, B. O¿Kelly, |Z.R. Tang and J. F. McGilp, ,(1990), Ceramic Transactions,, ¿Structure of sol-gel glasses by optical spectroscopy¿,, , - , Orlando, Florida
• C. McDonagh, B. O¿Kelly, K. Devlin, Z. R. Tang, and J.F.McGilp, ., ¿Optical characterisation of sol-gel glasses¿,, SPIE US 2003, - ,
• McDonagh C., Devlin K. McKernan D. Borissov M. Kirov N., Vavrek A., ¿Spectroscopy of Cr 3+ ions in glass¿,, , - ,
• Dorota Wencel, Colette McDonagh, ¿Optical dissolved carbon dioxide sensor for use in environmental monitoring applications¿,., ¿, Europt(r)ode X, 28-31 March 2010, Prague, Czech Republic, - , Prague
• Dorota Wencel, Colette McDonagh, High-performance hybrid sol-gel-derived sensors for pH and dissolved carbon dioxide monitoring¿,, 16th International Sol-Gel Conference, 28th August ¿ 2nd September 2011, Hangzhou, China. , - , China
• Jessica Labeguerie-Egea, Colette Mcdonagh, Silica nanoparticles for enhanced assay platform for detection of HPV virus, July 7-9 2010 NN10: 7th International Conference on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies, Greece, January 2011, - ,
• B. Korzeniowska, J. Decourcey, D. Wencel, R. Woolley, C. Loscher, B. D. MacCraith, C. McDonagh , Nanoparticle-based intracellular diagnostics, VI Meeting of the Irish Cytometry Society, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, 17-18.11.2010 , - ,
• " B. Korzeniowska, J. Decourcey, D. Wencel, C. Loscher, R. Woolley, C. McDonagh , Sol-gel-derived luminescent nanoparticle-based oxygen and pH sensors for intracellular diagnostics , Biological Responses to Nanoscale Particles conference, Essen, Germany, 11-15.09.2011, , - ,
• Colette Mcdonagh, Dorota Wencel, ¿Dual excitation fluorescence-based sensors for pH and dissolved carbon dioxide monitoring¿, , ¿, IEEE SENSORS 2011 Conference, 28-31 October 2011, Limerick, Ireland , - ,
• B. Korzeniowska, J. Decourcey, D. Wencel, R. Wooley, C. Loscher, B. D. MacCraith and C. McDonagh, , ¿Nanoparticle-based intercellular diagnostics¿ , Photonics Ireland, 14-16 September 2009 Kinsale Co. Cork, Ireland., - ,
• D. Wencel, C. S. Burke, C. Higgins, O. McGaughey, B. D. MacCraith and C. McDonagh, , Printed Functional Materials Symposium, 26-27 May 2008, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland., - ,
• D. Wencel, J. P. Moore, N. Stevenson, B. D. MacCraith, C. McDonagh, ¿Dissolved carbon dioxide (dCO2) sensor. Portable, robust and low-cost, Big Ideas Showcase 2009, 13 October 2009, Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland., - ,
• J. P. Moore, M. Sourdaine, D. Wencel, N. Stevenson, C. McDonagh, C. S. Burke and B. D. MacCraith, , ¿A novel technique for multi-parameter sensing using a single sensor spot¿, Europt(r)ode X, 28-31 March 2010, Prague, Czech Republic., - ,
• A. Panzera, B. Korzeniowska, S. Roy, D. Wencel, A. Schulz, J. Decourcey, R. Wooley , C. Loscher, S. Ramstrom, D. Kenny, B. D. MacCraith and C. McDonagh, , ¿Intra- and inter- cellular diagnostics using fluorescent nanoparticles, Europt(r)ode X, 28-31 March 2010, Prague, Czech Republic. , - ,
• B. Korzeniowska, R. Woolley, D. Wencel, J. Decourcey, C. McDonagh ¿Sol-gel-derived luminescent nanoparticle-based oxygen and pH sensors for intracellular diagnostics¿, ¿Sol-gel-derived luminescent nanoparticle-based oxygen and pH sensors for intracellular diagnostics¿,, XIV International Sol-Gel Conference Aug 28-Sept 02 2011 Hangzhou, China., - ,
• B. Korzeniowska, A. Schulz, D. Wencel, C. McDonagh, ¿Luminescent nanoparticle-based intracellular sensing¿, IEEE SENSORS 2011 Conference, 28-31 October 2011, Limerick, Ireland , - ,
• Colette McDonagh, Brian MacCraith, Overview of BDI Research, Workshop on scientific cooperation with DFM on Biomedical Applications, Naples, June 3rd 2009 , - , Italy
• Colette McDonagh, ¿Supercritical angle fluorescence (SAF) and plasmonic enhancement strategies for optical biochip applications¿,, IEEE LEOS Benelux symposium 2008 in Enschede, Netherlands, November 2008, - , Belgium
• Colette McDonagh, Diagnostic Biochips: Detecting more light using nanophotonics and optical design principles, July 21 - 28, 2011 Cork (Ireland) Advanced Study Course VIII Optical Chemical Sensors for the Life Sciences ASCOS Advanced Study Course on Optical, - ,
• Shibsekhar Roy, Chandra K. Dixit, Robert Woolley, Una Prendergast, Richard O'Kennedy,Colette McDonagh, Fluorescence lifetime and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy-novel characterization of silica nanoprobe for blood platelet diagnostics, Photonics Ireland (Dublin, 7th -9th September 2011), - ,
• Shibsekhar Roy, Chandra K. Dixit, Robert Woolley, Una Prendergast, Brian D. MacCraith, Richard O'Kennedy, Colette McDonagh , Fluorescence Lifetime and Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy ¿Lighting up the Interior and Exterior of Fluorescent Silica Nanoprobe for Blood Platelet Diagnostics, Conference on Analytical Sciences Ireland 2011-6th CASi (21-22 February, 2011, The helix, DCU), - ,
• A. Panzera , B. Korzeniowska , S. Roy , D. Wencel , A. Schulz , J. Decourcey , R. Wooley , C. Loscher, S. Ramstrom , D. Kenny, B. D. MacCraith, C. McDonagh , Fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) for intra- and inter-cellular diagnostics., NCSR Workshop 2010 (29 Sep 2010, The helix, DCU, - ,
• Colette McDonagh, ¿Nanoparticle-based luminescence enhancement strategies for optical biochip applications¿,, Spin and Optoelectronics Workshop, Humboldt University, Berlin September 2007 , - , Berlin
• Ondrej Stranik, Robert Nooney, Colette McDonagh and Brian MacCraith., Uniform deposition of gold and silver nanoparticles onto plastic substrates for surface enhanced fluorescence, ¿, Photonics West, San Jose 2007 , - , US
• ¿ M.Trnavsky, T.Ruckstuhl, C. McDonagh, B.D.MacCraith., Evaluation of surface plasmon-coupled emission (SPCE) for fluorescence-based biochips, ¿, BiOS 2007 at SPIE Photonics West, 2007 San Jose, - ,
• J. Labeguerie-Egea, B.D. MacCraith and C. McDonagh, A. Carloni, F. Vanzi and F. Pavone, NANoparticle-enhanced bio-assay for the optical detection of human papilloma virus (hpv)., Photonics Ireland Conference, September 2009 - , - ,
• Jessica Labeguerie-Egea, Colette McDonagh, Nanoparticle-enhanced bio-assay for the optical detection of human papilloma virus (HPV)¿, Europtrode Conference Prague, April 2010, - ,
• , , , - ,
• Aoibheann Bird, Brian D. MacCraith, Colette McDonagh, FRET for Biomedical Sensor Applications: A distance dependence study, Institute of Physics Spring Weekend, Birr, Co Offaly March 30th ¿ April 1st 2007, - ,
• Ross Gillanders, John Moore, Conor Burke, Aisling McEvoy, Brian MacCraith and Colette McDonagh. , Optical Dissolved Oxygen Sensor, Water Framework Directive Conference, Lille, March 2007, - , France
• Ondrej Stranik, Robert Nooney, Colette McDonagh and Brian MacCraith., Plasmonic enhancement of fluorescence for biomedical diagnostics , Photonics Ireland, Galway September 2007 , - ,
• Stephen O¿Driscoll, Helen M. McEvoy, Colette McDonagh and Brian D. MacCraith , Toward Improved Detection Sensitivity in Fluorescence-based Biochips Using Miniaturised Optical Elements, Photonics Ireland 2007, September 24th-26th, Galway,, - ,
• Aoibheann Bird, Ondrej Stranik, Brian D. MacCraith, Colette McDonagh, FRET for Biomedical Sensors Applications: Distance dependence and plasmonic interaction, Photonics West, January 2008 San Jose, US, - , US
• Robert Nooney, Ondrej Stranik, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith., Optimising the brightness of NIR-dye-doped silica NPs, Photonics West, January 2008, San Jose, California,, - , US
• Aoibheann Bird, Ondrej Stranik, Brian D. MacCraith, Colette McDonagh, FRET for Biomedical sensors applications: A distance dependence study, BOC Posters Competition, November 2007, DCU, - ,
• Aoibheann Bird, Ondrej Stranik, Brian D. MacCraith, Colette McDonagh., ¿FRET for Biomedical Applications: Plasmonic Interactions, Europtrode IX, March 2008, Dublin, , - ,
• Dorota Wencel, Brian D. MacCraith, Colette McDonagh., Development of high-performance sol-gel-derived sensor films for optical ratiometric pH sensing, Europtrode IX, March 2008, Dublin,, - ,
• John P. Moore, Ross N. Gillanders, Conor S. Burke, Brian D. MacCraith, Colette McDonagh, Development of an optical dissolved oxygen sensor for wireless remote environmental monitoring, Europtrode IX, march 2008, Dublin, - ,
• B. Korzeniowska, A. Panzera, S. Roy, D. Wencel, A. Schulz, J. Decourcey, R.Wooley, C. Loscher, S. Ramstrom, D.Kenny, B. D. MacCraith, C.McDonagh , ,Fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) for intra- and inter-cellular diagnostics ¿ , BioPIC conference, Meath, Ireland, 18-20.10.2010, - ,
• Barbara Korzeniowska, Colette McDonagh, Silica nanoparticle-based intracellular diagnostics , NANOSMAT, Cracow, Poland, 17-20.10.2011 , - ,
• B. Korzeniowska, J. Decourcey, D. Wencel, R. Woolley, C. Loscher, B. D. MacCraith, C. McDonagh , Nanoparticle-based intracellular diagnostics, VI Meeting of the Irish Cytometry Society, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, 17-18.11.2010 , - ,
• J. Siegrist, G. Donohoe, M. Sommers, D. Kurzbuch, R. Burger, S. Hearty, J. Murrell, C. Martin, L. Barrett, C. McDonagh, R. O¿Kennedy, and J. Ducrée, 2011, A Centrifugo-Microfluidic Cartridge with Integrated Detection Optics Towards Automated At-Line Bioprocess Monitoring of Immunoglobulin G, , Proceedings of MicroTAS 2011, - ,
• Robert Nooney, Colette McDonagh, Synthesis and characterisation of metal and silica nanoparticles for application in bioanalytical chemistry, Institute of Photonics Technology, Jena, Germany, August, 2011., - ,
• Robert Nooney, Ondrej Stranik, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith, Plasmon enhanced fluorescence of dyes in close proximity to metal nanoparticles, Particles 2006,¿ Orlando, Florida., - ,
• ,¿ Robert Nooney, Ondrej Stranik, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith, Synthesis and characterisation of high-brightness silica nanoparticles for biomedical applications, 14th International Conference on Solid Films and Surfaces, Trinity, Dublin, 2008, - 01-AUG-08,
• Stephen O¿Driscoll, Helen M. McEvoy, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith. , Fluorescence detection efficiency enhancement of planar biosensor configurations using novel miniature optics, Europtrode IX, March 2008, Dublin,, - ,
• Robert Nooney, Xavier Le Guevel, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith,, Optimising the brightness of a near infra-red dye-doped silica nanoparticle label for biomedical diagnostics, Europtrode IX, March 2008,, - , Dublin
• Michal Trnavsky, Ondrej Stranik, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith., Optical biochip platform with a plasmonic (SPCE) structure, Photonics West, January 2008, San Jose, California, - , US
• Ondrej Stranik, Robert Nooney, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith, ¿Plasmonic enhancement for biosensor applications, Europtrode IX, March 2008, Dublin, - , Dublin
• John Moore, Ross Gillanders, Conor Burke, Brian MacCraith and Colette McDonagh. , Development of an optical Dissolved Oxygen Sensor for Wireless Environmental Monitoring, Photonics Ireland September 2007 , - ,
• Aoibheann Bird, Brian D. MacCraith, Colette McDonagh, FRET for Biomedical Sensor Applications: A distance dependence study¿, Photonics Ireland, Galway 23rd-26th Sept 2007, - , Galway
• Michal Trnavsky, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith, Optical biochip platform based on surface Plasmon coupled emission (SPCE, ), Europtrode IX March 2008, Dublin, , - ,
• Ondrej Stranik, Robert Nooney, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith. , Plasmonic enhancement for biosensor applications, Europtrode IX, March 2008, Dublin, - ,
• Dorota Wencel., Conor Burke, Brian D. MacCraith, Colette McDonagh, Novel hybrid optical sensor materials for in-breath oxygen monitoring, 14th International Sol-Gel Conference, Montpellier, France 2-7 Sep 2007 , 02-SEP-07 - 07-SEP-07, France
• Prof.Colette McDonagh, ¿Sol-gel-derived chemical sensors and biosensors¿, Summer School on Advanced Multifunctional Materials for Optics, Sensing and Actuating,, 31-OCT-06 - 31-OCT-06, Tenerife
• Thomas Ruckstuhl, Robert Blue, Scott Spillman, Nigel Kent, Helen McEvoy, Stephan Laib, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith., ¿Highly sensitive fluorescence detection on a biochip¿,, Europtode VIII, 30-APR-06 - 30-APR-06, Tubingen, Germany
• Helen M. McEvoy, Scott Spillman, Robert Blue, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith , ¿Biomolecule immobilisation onto polymer substrates for the development of highly-sensitive portable bionsensors¿,, Europtrode VIII, 30-APR-06 - 30-APR-06, Tubingen, Germany
• Clare Higgins, Dorota Wencel, Conor Burke, Aisling McEvoy, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith., ¿Novel hybrid optical sensor materials for breath analysis¿, Europtrode VIII, 30-APR-06 - 30-APR-06, Tubingen, Germany
• Michal Trnavsky, Thomas Ruckstuhl, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith, April 2006., ¿Surface-plasmon-coupled emission (SPCE) for fluorescence-based biochips¿,, Europtrode VIII, 30-APR-06 - 30-APR-06, Tubingen, Germany
• Ondrej Stranik, Robert Nooney, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith., ¿Plasmonic enhancement of fluorescence¿,, Europtrode VIII, 06-APR-06 - 08-APR-06, Tubingen, Germany
• Prof. Colette McDonagh, The sol-gel process: a versatile route to advanced sensor materials, MED 06, 31-MAR-06 - 31-MAR-06, Dublin Institute of Technology
• Prof. Colette McDonagh, Enhanced fluorescence sensing using sol-gel materials,, Meeting on Hybrid Sol-Gel Films: fabrication, characterisation and applications,, 31-JAN-06 - 31-JAN-06, Lycee Descartes, Tours, France
• Robert Nooney, Lionel Nicole, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith., ¿Influence of film structure on the response of an optical CO2 sensor,¿, 13th International Workshop on Sol-gel Science and tTechnology,, 21-AUG-05 - 26-AUG-05, UCLA, US
• Dorota Wencel, Clare Higgins, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith,, ¿Novel Sol-Gel Based Films For pH and Oxygen Sensing¿,, 13th International Workshop on Sol-Gel Science and Technology, 21-AUG-05 - 26-AUG-05, UCLA, US
• Robert Nooney, Ondrej Stranik, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith, ¿Plasmonic enhancement of fluorophores in solution using core-shell nanoparticles, Surface Modification in Particle Technology, 13-AUG-05 - 16-AUG-05, San Francisco, California,
• Ondrej Stranik, Robert Nooney, Colette McDonagh, Brian D. MacCraith., ¿Plasmonic enhancement of fluorescence for sensor applications¿,, Functional properties of Nanostructured Materials, 30-JUN-05 - 30-JUN-05, Sozopol, Bulgaria
• O. Stranik, R. Nooney, C. McDonagh, B.D. MacCraith,, ¿Plasmonic enhancement for optical biochip applications¿,, Molecular Plasmonics meeting., 31-MAY-05 - 31-MAY-05, Jena, Germany
• H. M. McEvoy, R. Blue, N. Kent, C. McDonagh, B. D. MacCraith,, ¿Novel Polymer Platform for Enhanced Biochip Performance¿,, Opto-Ireland meeting, 30-APR-05 - 30-APR-05,
• Prof. Colette McDonagh, Current Research in Optical Sensors, SPIE Opto-Ireland conference, 30-APR-05 - 30-APR-05, Royal Dublin Society, Dublin
• C. Higgins, D. Wencel, C. McDonagh, B.D. MacCraith 4th ¿ 6th April 2005 , ¿Novel hybrid materials for smart sensor windows¿, Opto Ireland Conference., 04-APR-05 - 06-APR-05,
• Orla McGaughey, Conor Burke, Jean-Marc Sabattie, Henry Barry, Aisling K. McEvoy, Colette McDonagh and Brian D. MacCraith., ¿Development of a sol-gel based integrated optical oxygen sensor using rapid prototyping technology¿, Insititute of Physics in Ireland, Spring Weekend, 31-MAR-05 - 31-MAR-05, Kildare
• Clare Higgins, Dorota Wencel,Colette McDonagh and Brian D. MacCraith, ¿Novel Hybrid Materials for Luminescence-based sensing¿,, UK-Ireland Sol-gel meeting, 31-MAR-05 - 31-MAR-05, London
• Robert Nooney, Lionel Nicole, Colette McDonagh and Brian D. MacCraith, ¿Influence of Film Structure on the Response of a Sol-Gel-based Optical Carbon Dioxide Sensor¿,, UK-Ireland Sol-Gel meeting, 30-MAR-05 - 30-MAR-05, London
• O. Stranik, R. Nooney, C. McDonagh, B.D. MacCraith ,, ¿Plasmonic enhancement for optical biochip applications¿,, Photonics West, 30-JAN-05 - 30-JAN-05, San Diego
• Prof. Colette McDonagh, Optical sensors and biosensors, Annual Institute of Physics meeting, 30-APR-03 - 30-APR-30, Westport, Ireland