Thursday, 13 February 2025

Researchers create world’s largest digital microbe collection to transform health research

Researchers at University of Galway have created the world’s largest collection of digital microbes - nearly a quarter million computer models - to help revolutionise our understanding of the human microbiome and its impact on health. This study focuses on the bacterial microbiome - the communities of bacteria living in and on our bodies. The team created APOLLO, a collection of 247,092 advanced computer models, each representing the unique metabolic processes of a distinct microbe found within these communities. The unprecedented database will allow scientists to use software to study how microbes function within the human body and interact with health and disease, to accelerate new health discoveries, which would otherwise solely rely on cumbersome experiments using living organisms. Spanning multiple continents, age groups and body sites, APOLLO is the most extensive computational model collection of the human microbiome created to date. The research project builds upon the team’s decade-long expertise, from earlier AGORA (hundreds of microbes) and AGORA2 (thousands of microbes) generations. The team also created 14,451 computer simulations of individual microbiome communities, based on real-life samples, to reveal how microbial metabolism varies by body site, age, and health conditions. The APOLLO simulations also predicted key faecal metabolites linked to Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and child undernutrition – insights that could help shape future diagnostic and treatment strategies. The work was conducted by a team of scientists at University of Galway’s Digital Metabolic Twin Centre, led by Professor Ines Thiele, a principal investigator with APC Microbiome Ireland - Research Ireland centre for the study of microbiological community, hosted by University College Cork. Professor Thiele’s research team uses computational modelling to advance precision health. How APOLLO will benefit society: Improved diagnostics - by identifying microbial metabolic markers, APOLLO could help develop non-invasive diagnostic tools, allowing earlier and more accurate diagnosis. Personalised treatments - simulations can predict how an individual’s microbiome interacts with their diet, medications, and health conditions. This could lead to tailored treatments that optimise gut health and improve responses to therapies. Drug development and probiotics - it may be possible to design targeted probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiome-based therapies to treat specific diseases more effectively. Public Health insights - by including diverse microbiomes, APOLLO provides a global perspective, helping address how modern lifestyles impact microbiome health. This knowledge shall guide public health policies, such as around antibiotic use, diet, and disease prevention.   Dr Cyrille Thinnes, project scientist, said: “APOLLO marks a major milestone in personalised microbiome modelling on a global scale. Our microbiome plays crucial roles in digestion, immune function, and overall health. Studying these microbes is essential for understanding how they influence various conditions, from gut health to neurological diseases, and for developing new diagnostic tools, treatments, and personalise healthcare solutions. “APOLLO captures an unprecedented diversity of microbes across continents, demographics and body sites, filling critical gaps in global health research. It addresses pressing concerns about the impact of westernised lifestyles, characterised by sedentary habits, processed diets and antibiotic overuse, on microbial diversity and functions. By including understudied non-westernised populations and body sites beyond the gut, APOLLO provides a vital resource for advancing microbiome research and its applications.” Professor Ines Thiele, study lead on the project, said: “The human microbiome is a vital player in health and disease, dynamically interacting with its host. Understanding these complex interactions requires cutting-edge technology. Our research integrates digital models of both microbes and humans, enabling us to explore the microbiome’s role in health in unprecedented detail. “APOLLO takes this innovation further by incorporating microbiome communities on a dimension to now enable personalisation on a global scale. “Over the past decade, we have gone from a single generic human model to detailed models that account for sex, physiology, and individual organs. Similarly, we started with models of a few microbes and have now expanded to cover hundreds of thousands. These models can further incorporate information on dietary habits and health conditions, helping to generate testable hypotheses and personalised health recommendations. APOLLO represents a major step in the shift towards digital twin-enabled precision healthcare, moving us closer to tailoring health solutions for individuals worldwide.” The research was published in Cell Systems and is available at https://www.cell.com/cell-systems/fulltext/S2405-4712(25)00029-8 This work was led by University of Galway in collaboration with colleagues in Ireland, France, and Italy, at University College Cork, University College Dublin, APC Microbiome Ireland, University of Lorraine, and University of Padova. Ends


News Archive

Monday, 10 February 2025

Tá Gradam Airgid Athena SWAN eile bainte amach ag an Ollscoil do Scoil Ghnó agus Eacnamaíochta J.E. Cairnes  Tá gradam suntasach bainte amach ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe maidir le cur chun cinn an chomhionannais inscne, agus Scoil Ghnó agus Eacnamaíochta J. E. Cairnes tar éis Gradam Airgid Athena SWAN a bhaint amach.    Tá Scoil Ghnó agus Eacnamaíochta J. E. Cairnes ar an dara Scoil Ghnó i bPoblacht na hÉireann a bhain a leithéid de chaighdeán amach.   Tugann Gradam Airgid Athena SWAN aitheantas don tiomantas i leith comhionannas inscne a chur chun cinn don fhoireann agus do mhic léinn araon, agus i leith athrú cultúrtha aitheanta a chruthú laistigh den Ollscoil, agus bronnadh an gradam a aithnítear go hidirnáisiúnta mar gheall ar éachtaí comhionannais inscne na Scoile. Is dul chun cinn é ar an nGradam Cré-umha a baineadh amach in 2020.     Mar thoradh ar an gcreidiúnú is déanaí seo tá deich nGradam Cré-umha agus dhá Ghradam Airgid bainte amach ag an Ollscoil go dtí seo, mar aon le Gradam Cré-umha Institiúide a rinneadh a athnuachan in 2021. Tá Gradaim Athena SWAN ag dhá scoil déag as ocht scoil déag de chuid na hOllscoile anois.                 Dúirt Leas-Uachtarán Comhionannais, Éagsúlachta agus Cuimsithe Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an Dr Helen Maher: “Déanann gach duine in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe comhghairdeas le Scoil Ghnó agus Eacnamaíochta J.E. Cairnes. Is mór an spreagadh dúinn an dul chun cinn suntasach atá déanta ag ár n-ollscoil i dtaca le comhionannas inscne, go háirithe i gColáiste an Ghnó, an Bheartais Phoiblí agus an Dlí – áit a bhfuil gradaim Athena SWAN bainte amach ag na trí Scoil ar fad.     “Léiríonn an dara Gradam Airgid a baineadh amach inár nOllscoil go bhfuilimid dírithe agus tiomanta i gcónaí do chomhionannas, éagsúlacht agus cuimsiú a dhaingniú inár gcultúr agus inár gcomhfhreagrachtaí.”                 Dúirt an tOllamh Alma McCarthy, Déan Scoil Ghnó agus Eacnamaíochta J.E. Cairnes:   “Tá ríméad orm go bhfuil an gradam seo faighte ag ár Scoil agus is léiriú é ar ár dtiomantas don chomhionannas inscne. Is dianphróiseas measúnaithe seachtrach é próiseas Athena SWAN a éilíonn fianaise ar ghníomh agus ar dhul chun cinn. D’oibríomar ar os cionn 50 gníomh comhionannais inscne chun an gradam Airgid a bhaint amach. Molaim mo chomhghleacaithe go léir as a dtiomantas don chomhionannas agus as ár luach a bhaineann le meas ar chách a léiriú.”   Críoch

Monday, 10 February 2025

University achieves another Athena SWAN Silver Award for J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics  University of Galway has achieved a significant accolade in the advancement of gender equality, with J. E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics securing an Athena SWAN Silver Award.    J. E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics is only the second School of Business in the Republic of Ireland to achieve such a standard.   The Athena SWAN Silver award recognises the commitment to advancing gender equality for both staff and students, and in creating evidenced cultural change within the University, and the internationally recognised accolade was awarded for the School’s gender equality achievements, advancing from its Bronze Award in 2020.     This latest accreditation sees a total of ten Bronze Awards and two Silver Awards in the University, along with an Institutional Bronze Award which was renewed in 2021. Twelve out of the University’s eighteen schools now hold Athena SWAN Awards.                 University of Galway Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Dr Helen Maher, said: “All of us at University of Galway are sharing in the congratulations for J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics. We are greatly encouraged by the significant progress our university has made on gender equality, particularly in the College of Business Public Policy and Law – where all three Schools have achieved Athena SWAN awards.     “Achieving a second Silver Award in our University demonstrates that we remain focused and committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in our culture and our collective responsibilities.”                 Professor Alma McCarthy, Dean of J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, said:   “I am very pleased that our School has received this award as a testament to our commitment to gender equality. The Athena SWAN process is a rigorous external assessment process requiring evidence of action and progress. We worked on over 50 gender equality actions to achieve the Silver award. I commend all my colleagues for their commitment to equality and living our value of respect for all.”   Ends

Tuesday, 4 February 2025

A female entrepreneurship programme developed at University of Galway’s IdeasLab is to expand nationwide at five other higher education institutions following a special funding award from the Higher Education Authority (HEA). The CreateHER programme, which is designed to empower female undergraduate students to become entrepreneurs, has been granted €420,400 by the HEA under its call for proposals for Entrepreneurial Education Initiatives. The funding will see CreateHER expand its impact and opportunities for female entrepreneurship in Ireland by partnering with the University of Limerick, Technological University Dublin, Southeast Technological University, Munster Technological University, and Atlantic Technological University. CreateHER addresses the critical underrepresentation of women in entrepreneurship. More than 50 women have completed the programme at University of Galway, with many progressing a business idea to pre-incubator and innovation programmes. The programme’s national rollout is planned for the 2025-26 academic year.             Professor Becky Whay, Interim Deputy President and Registrar University of Galway, said: “At University of Galway, we are dedicated to investing in our students, not only by enhancing the skills and scholarship necessary for growth in our region but also ensuring that our students are well-equipped to lead the charge in driving transformative change on a national scale. The CreateHER programme exemplifies our commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem that champions equality, diversity, and inclusion and its expansion marks a significant step in fostering a new generation of women entrepreneurs.”             Dr Natalie Walsh, Director of Entrepreneurial Development at University of Galway, said: "The CreateHER programme has been a transformative initiative for female entrepreneurship at University of Galway. With this national rollout, we are excited to extend its impact, empowering young women across Ireland to lead the way in innovation and business. This collaboration with our partner institutions is a testament to the power of our shared vision across the higher education sector to drive meaningful change for future entrepreneurs and innovators." The programme is a dynamic six-week course dedicated to nurturing creativity, confidence, innovation, and personal branding. Throughout the year, a series of local and national events will provide opportunities for participants to showcase their entrepreneurial journeys and connect with an expansive network of mentors, with participants from all partner institutions coming together to foster collaboration and peer learning. One of the most significant features of CreateHER is the development of "Career Close-Ups" - an immersive experience that takes participants behind the scenes of leading companies in various sectors including Medtech, IT, finance, and PR. During these shadowing experiences, participants connect with people from CEOs to recent graduates, getting a glimpse into the daily rhythm of corporate life. By experiencing different roles first-hand and building meaningful connections across all levels of the organisation, participants gain invaluable insights that help shape their future career paths. For some, these connections may lead to placements or internships, or open their eyes to future career paths they had not previously considered. This real-world exposure gives CreateHER participants an advantage as they prepare to launch their careers as entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs, armed with both practical knowledge and a strong professional network. In 2024 career close up partners included Diligent, Liberty IT, Aerogen, Galway Chamber, Yourells, Éire Composites and SAP. For more information about CreateHER and its upcoming national rollout, please visit www.universityofgalway.ie/ideaslab. Ends


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