Press Releases

Findings are first in the field and will pave the way for the development of new therapeutic devices Researchers at CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices based at University of Galway, together with collaborators at the Medical University of South Carolina and Vienna University of Technology, have for the first time identified critical targets in the molecular signature of Parkinson's disease across different stages of the disease's progression. The results of their research are published in the prestigious journal PNAS Nexus. More than 10 million people are living with Parkinson's disease worldwide, making it the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease. The complete molecular signature of Parkinson’s, however, remains unclear. In particular, untangling molecules related to the disease called glycans has been challenging due to their complexity and lack of analytical tools. Glycans (sugars) are found on the cell's surface and are fundamental in ensuring the correct flow of information between cells. Glycans participate in cell-to-cell communication by attaching to other molecules, such as fats (lipids) and proteins. The research published in PNAS Nexus provides a complete characterisation of the glycans associated with the connections in the brain that are affected by Parkinson’s disease. These findings can potentially advance the development of glycan-focused therapeutic devices to treat and diagnose Parkinson’s. Professor Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director of CÚRAM and project lead, said: "The work presented here will act as a valuable resource for subsequent investigations into the impact of brain glycans on neurodegeneration. It has been established that modifications in glycans have a bearing on other physiological aspects, which could potentially serve as catalysts for additional degeneration. Our study has specifically focused on Parkinson's disease, but there are other neurodegenerative conditions for which the glycan environment remains unexplored, and this research will therefore lay the groundwork for future studies on other diseases." Ana Lúcia Rebelo, lead author of the study, said: "In this study, we aimed to specifically look at a side of the Parkinsonian brain that was previously unexplored – the glycome. This research is a significant step towards understanding, in-depth, what is happening in this life-altering condition and exploring other therapeutic avenues that could target previously unaccounted-for changes. Emerging technologies currently in development will be instrumental in expanding upon the preliminary ‘glyco’ characterization that has been initiated with this research, culminating in further discoveries in future." The publication can be read here - https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad439 Ends

Attention Ocean Enthusiasts!   Get ready to embark on a week-long journey of hope, discovery, and positivity as the students of St. Nicholas’ Parochial School take the reins of Galway Atlantaquaria’s social media channels! In a world filled with alarming stories about our ocean’s well-being, it’s time to break free from the cycle of doom and gloom. St. Nicholas’ students are on a mission as Ocean Champions with the Marine Institute’s Explorers Education Programme to spotlight the incredible good news stories and positive actions happening beneath the surface! What to Expect: Get ready to be uplifted by tales of ocean resilience, restoration, and conservation. Discover the incredible efforts being made to protect and preserve our marine environments. The students will not only share good news but also provide valuable insights into the wonders of the ocean. In partnership with CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, we’re delving deep into how our oceans hold superpowers to improve health and heal our bodies. Help us create waves of optimism! Share, comment, and spread the word. Together, we can inspire a movement of awareness and positivity for our oceans. GALLERY Not only will the Students takeover the Social Media Channels, but they have also shared the ‘Sea Creature Reports’, that form part of the Aquarium Window Art Page too! Here is one example of the OCEAN CREATURE FACTS! Join us on Social Media from the 8th to the 12th of April, 2024 as we share the GOOD NEWS about our ocean discoveries. Follow #STEAMecologies and be part of the positive changes in our ocean world. Let’s make waves of positivity together!

Professor Abhay Pandit has been elected President-Elect of the Global Tissue Engineering Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS). TERMIS has a global mission to advance tissue engineering and regenerative medicine worldwide to generate knowledge to improve patient outcomes globally. As Scientific Director of CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices based at University of Galway, Professor Pandit’s new role recognises CÚRAM’s significant impact to the field of medical device research. 2024 sees CÚRAM mark a decade of ground-breaking research and innovation. With a mission to enhance patient outcomes and improve quality of life for our aging population living with chronic illness, CÚRAM brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers, industry partners, healthcare professionals and patients, to address the most pressing challenges in healthcare. Speaking about his appointment, Prof Pandit said: “This appointment gives a voice to the work we are doing in CÚRAM on a global scale. It will draw the focus of key stakeholders to our Centre and allow CÚRAM to continue to play a vital role in the formation of critical policy decisions globally.”   The mission of TERMIS is to promote education and research within the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine across the globe and is the premier global scientific society in the area with an EU membership currently at 1000.  Since its inception, Prof Pandit has been a member of the society and has served as Chair of TERMIS-EU (2022-2024) and on the Council (2010-2014). Prof Pandit has been working in the field of biomaterials since 1989. In addition to holding the Chair, he is a Fellow of the Society and holds the title FTERM—the only academic in Ireland bestowed that honour. He was appointed to the National Research Ethics Committee for Clinical Trials by the Minister for Health in 2021. He was honoured with the George Winter Award in 2022 from the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB) and was elected to the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows in 2018.

In a rapidly changing world, educational expectations are evolving at an unprecedented pace, and the need for a new approach to learning has become essential. To that end, CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices based at the University of Galway, along with 12 other partners, are part of a new Horizon-funded EU project entitled STEAM Learning Ecologies (SLE), which aims to develop open schooling models in community settings. 13 pilot Steam Learning Ecology (SLE) projects have occurred across Europe in 2023/4. CÚRAM is the national coordinator for Ireland's project entitled - Intertwined- Mosaics of the Community Brain - a collaboration between CÚRAM, Ballybane Library, Galway Community College and artist Alison Mac Cormaic. This project aims to drive policy change in science education on a national and European level and to that end, the projects were presented in EU parliament in January 2024. ‘Intertwined’ was launched on Thursday March 14th during National Brain Awareness Week by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Donal Lyons. The mosaic was developed through a co-creative approach with library staff and students learning side by side and included workshops at Superhuman, CÚRAM's medtech exhibition housed in Galway City Museum, as well as the Centre for Microscopy and Imaging in the University of Galway and in the School of History and Philosophy. The theme of the mosaic and the programme was that of exploring perceptions and different viewpoints – looking at the same thing from far away and up close and how those viewpoints can inform attitudes and opinions. The library wished to rebuild a connection with their teenage audience post-pandemic and this science-based workshop enabled that. The mosaic will take up permanent residence in the library’s newly refurbished Maker’s Space and is open to the public to view. Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director of CÚRAM, said: "CÚRAM is delighted to join the Horizon-funded EU project STEAM Learning Ecologies as a national coordinator for Ireland. Our public engagement programme, notably our Art and science residency, is vital to our research centre's commitment to engaging diverse audiences. It is significant for us that this new project  - Intertwined- with Ballybane Library, Galway Community College and artist Alison Mac Cormaic is operating on a European scaleand working towards creating new science education models." Lisa Martyn, Manager of Ballybane Library, commented, "The staff of Ballybane Library are delighted with this unique opportunity to connect with Galway Community College transition year students. By collaborating with CÚRAM and the library staff, the Galway Community College students, through the medium of art, under the excellent guidance of Alison Mac Cormaic,  are taking ownership of their local library and leaving an eternal footprint in the shape of the resulting artwork, a mosaic to enhance the walls of our Maker Space." Olive Flynn, TY Coordinator for Galway Community College, said, "This collaboration is an amazing opportunity for the students of Galway Community College. It has encouraged them to become active participants in the local community while rebuilding their relationship with the Ballybane Library and utilising the Makers Space to its full potential. It has afforded the students the opportunity to gain exposure to an environment where the artistic and scientific communities synergise to co-create a mosaic for the entire community to enjoy. The project has allowed the students to improve communication, teamwork and critical thinking skills in a fun and creative way." www.steamecologies.eu #STEAMecologies Funded by the European Union’s Horizon programme under grant agreement No. 101094648.     Useful resources:https://www.steamecologies.eu/human-brain-and-mosaics-an-incredible-experience-in-ballybane-community-library-in-ireland/https://www.galwaycity.ie/libraries-informationwww.galwaycc.iehttps://www.alisonmaccormaic.com/

A new initiative at the University of Galway has been awarded funding from Science Foundation Ireland's (SFI) Discover Programme to develop a compelling series of short empathy experiences aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the lived experience of diabetes. The 'Empathy Detectives' project is a collaborative effort involving key partners, including CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, Ideas Lab and the PPI Ignite Network at University of Galway. The project also features the invaluable contribution of patient representative Cameron Keighron, a dedicated member of the D1 Now Young Adult Panel. At the heart of the project's success is the active involvement of patients, researchers, and clinicians in the design of these empathy experiences, resulting in the development of innovative mobile 'empathy kits.' These kits will be accessible to the public at the Galway City Museum, integrated into CÚRAM's new public exhibit 'SUPERHUMAN.' The Empathy Detectives project extends its reach to Junior Cycle students through tailored workshops that seamlessly incorporate empathy experiences. Participants will engage in design thinking exercises, fostering creative ideas and solutions for living with diabetes. These initiatives align with the overarching goal of the project: to create meaningful educational resources that promote empathy and innovation. Importantly, these resources will directly correlate with the Junior Cycle curriculum, offering a unique and impactful approach to education. “We are delighted to receive funding for this project, which exemplifies our commitment to partnering with patients and innovation within educational contexts," said Prof Abhay Pandit, CÚRAM’s Centre Director. "By combining the power of empathy, and design thinking, we aim to not only increase understanding of diabetes but also inspire creative solutions for those living with this condition." The 'Empathy Detectives' project represents a significant step forward in bridging the gap between medical devices research, patient experiences, and public awareness. Through collaboration and a multidisciplinary approach, the project aspires to create a lasting impact on how diabetes is understood and addressed in our communities. CÚRAM and IdeasLab Application Form: STE(A)M Workshop Series  Oide Creativity, in collaboration with 11 Education Outreach Partners, presents the STE(A)M Workshop Series Spring 2023. These elective workshops, open to all teachers, aim to connect classroom learning to real-world contexts and explore interdisciplinary responses to societal challenges.  STE(A)M Workshop Series Information:   In-person workshop: CÚRAM and IdeasLab: Engaging with Empathy, Saturday 20th April 10:30 - 15:30 IdeasLab, the Concourse, University of Galway and Galway City Museum.  CÚRAM and IdeasLab: Engaging with Empathy  Engage in design thinking exercises to generate creative ideas and solutions for treating health conditions. Encounter empathy experiences in our unique Empathy Studio. Enjoy a guided tour of CÚRAM’s new public exhibit ‘Superhuman’   To apply register for the workshop: https://forms.gle/KUNZG55m36ho7Fax9   -Ends-

University of Galway Professor in Pathology Sharon Glynn has been appointed Fulbright Ambassador for the university. In the Ambassadorial role, Professor Glynn will offer guidance to University of Galway staff and students who wish to apply for a Fulbright Scholarship to study, research or teach in the USA. She will also liaise with faculty and staff to grow new Ireland-USA networks and collaborations, through hosting Fulbright U.S. Scholars and Students. As a translational cancer researcher Professor Glynn is focused on identifying factors that influence cancer development and progression. During her 2022-2023 Fulbright Scholar Award, she visited Houston Methodist Research Institute and the University of Notre Dame Harper Cancer Research Institute to collaborate and learn from world-renowned experts in the field of triple negative breast cancer. Sharon also has an interest in early researcher career development and is the lead on a Marie Curie Sklodowska Actions (MSCA) doctoral training network. Fulbright Commission in Ireland Executive Director, Dr Dara Fitzgerald said:  “The Fulbright Commission is delighted to appoint Professor Sharon Glynn as Fulbright Ambassador for the University of Galway. As a Fulbright Alum, she will provide insight to students and staff who are considering visiting the U.S. through Fulbright scholarships. We look forward to reviewing applications from the University of Galway as part of the 2025-2026 Fulbright Irish Awards Competition.”   Fulbright-University of Galway Ambassador, Professor Sharon Glynn said: "I am delighted to be appointed as Fulbright Ambassador to University of Galway. In 2022, I was honoured to receive a Fulbright Scholar Award which granted me the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from the Houston Methodist Research Institute. Our focus was on developing collaborations between our two institutes around new spatial pathological imaging techniques for triple negative breast cancer, with a view to gaining a better understanding of the factors that influence patient outcomes. “The Fulbright commission also sponsored a visit the University of Notre Dame, where I had the opportunity to speak to undergraduate students and faculty about opportunities for studying and teaching abroad in Ireland, and to develop additional research collaborations. Additionally, I spent three wonderful days at the Spring 2023 Chicago Fulbright Scholar Enrichment Seminar with fellow Fulbright awardees, and had the opportunity to present on prostate cancer related public health aspects in Ireland. I look forward to supporting faculty and students from University of Galway to partake in the outstanding opportunities afforded by a Fulbright Scholarship." The 2025-2026 Fulbright Irish Awards competition will open in August 2024. Visit www.fulbright.ie to learn more. The Fulbright Irish Awards provide grants and support for Irish citizens, and E.U. citizens who have been resident in the ROI for 5+ years, to research, study, or lecture in the USA. Opportunities are available in all disciplines. The Commission encourages applications from people from diverse backgrounds to all its schemes, programmes and activities. Ends

"Most people, most of the time, learn most of what they know outside the classroom." George W. Tressel (1926-2019)   December 13, 2023: In a rapidly changing world, educational expectations are evolving at an unprecedented pace, and the need for a new approach to learning has become essential. To that end, CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices based at the University of Galway, along with 12 other partners, are part of a new Horizon-funded EU project entitled STEAM Learning Ecologies (SLE), which aims to develop open schooling-enabled science learning paths for all in formal and informal learning environments.   Open schooling is an innovative concept that goes beyond traditional classroom boundaries and envisions learning as a lifelong endeavour that extends beyond the school building and regular school hours. This project aims to drive policy change in science education on a national and European level.   In the coming months, 11 pilot Steam Learning Ecology (SLE) projects will occur across Europe. CÚRAM is the national coordinator for Ireland's project entitled 'Intertwined' - Mosaics of the Community Brain  - a collaboration between CÚRAM,  Ballybane Library, Galway Community College and artist Alison Mac Cormaic.   An SLE begins when an individual in society identifies a problem and seeks like-minded partners who wish to work together to solve this problem. Ballybane Library want to rebuild their connection with teenagers by using their STEAM (Science- Technology- Engineering- All other subjects- Maths) Maker Space. This community-based library runs many exciting and diverse projects for all age groups.   CÚRAM are supporting the library to build a partnership with the transition years in Galway Community College and artist Alison Mac Cormaic. Over a few months, these partners have been working together to create a STEAM-based mosaic, which will be installed in the Maker Space in Ballybane in 2024.   Through a co-creative approach, partners arrived at the idea of exploring perceptions and different viewpoints – looking at the same thing from far away and up close and how those viewpoints can inform attitudes and opinions. The vehicle for this exploration is the creation of a science-based mosaic with the support of artist Alison Mac Cormaic. Alison works primarily in the mosaic medium, has created many public commissions and is an arts educator.   This project kicked off in October 2023 with a visit to 'Superhuman' – CÚRAM's new medtech exhibition housed in Galway City Museum. Students were invited to sketch objects of interest and participate in a workshop to design a device related to the brain and Parkinson's Disease. Staff and students also visited the Centre for Microscopy and Imaging at the University of Galway and were supported with their scientific and technical expertise. They viewed found objects: heart, brain, miscellaneous body cells, flora and fauna, and other items under the microscope. Again, students sketched the results. This was followed by a workshop with the School of Philosophy around the idea of perspectives, beginning with looking at a famous image of a piece of pepperoni, which a renowned scientist posted on social media, stating it was a view of Mars from space. The workshop raised questions such as 'Is it wrong to focus on the detail?' and 'Does seeing more make us change?'.   Subsequent workshops are taking place in the Maker Space in Ballybane Library, where students and staff will each create an individual mosaic, which will be combined to form the finished art piece. Topics covered will include an overview of brain diagnostic tools, examination of scans after activities such as dancing, listening to music and taking drugs, and a history of mosaics.     Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director of CÚRAM, said: 'CÚRAM is delighted to join the Horizon-funded EU project' STEAM Learning Ecologies' as a national coordinator for Ireland. Our public engagement programme, notably our Art and science residency, is vital to our research centre's commitment to engaging diverse audiences. It is significant for us that this new project  - Intertwined- with Ballybane Library, Galway Community College and artist Alison Mac Cormaic is operating on a European scale and working towards creating new science education models.   Lisa Martyn, Manager of Ballybane Library, commented, 'The staff of Ballybane Library are delighted with this unique opportunity to connect with Galway Community College transition year students. By collaborating with CÚRAM and the library staff, the Galway Community College students, through the medium of art, under the excellent guidance of Alison Mac Cormaic,  are taking ownership of their local library and leaving an eternal footprint in the shape of the resulting artwork, a mosaic to enhance the walls of our Maker Space.'   Olive Flynn, TY Coordinator for Galway Community College, said, 'This collaboration is an amazing opportunity for the students of Galway Community College. It has encouraged them to become active participants in the local community while rebuilding their relationship with the Ballybane Library and utilising the Makers Space to its full potential. It has afforded the students the opportunity to gain exposure to an environment where the artistic and scientific communities synergise to co-create a mosaic for the entire community to enjoy. The project has allowed the students to improve communication, teamwork and critical thinking skills in a fun and creative way.'      This project will be showcased across Europe next year, beginning with a presentation in the European Parliament in January 2024. CÚRAM will support the implementation of 10 more SLEs in 2024/5 – if you as an individual, a school or an organisation are interested in getting involved or finding out more, please email mary.deely@universityofgalway.ie       Useful resources: https://curamdevicesengage.ie/ https://www.galwaycity.ie/libraries-information www.galwaycc.ie  Galway Community College (galwaycc.ie) https://www.alisonmaccormaic.com/ https://www.steamecologies.eu/unveiling-the-future-of-learning-steam-learning-ecologies-sles/

CÚRAM received 3.36m in co-funding from the European Union to launch MedDevDoc, an enhanced innovative Marie-Curie Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Doctoral training programme. The vision of MedDevDoc is to create 25 doctoral fellowship opportunities to develop future leaders in medical device research. CÚRAM, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre for Medical Devices, is recruiting for 25 new doctoral positions in the coming months. A national centre, CÚRAM, is hosted by the University of Galway, with academic partners at nine HEIs across Ireland. The research positions will be based across partner institutions. The MedDevDoc programme lasts 60 months with fellowships based on individual-driven mobility: Fellows can freely choose their research area (within CÚRAM’s remit), supervisor and secondment organisation. Fellowships will be open to candidates of any nationality who have not resided in or carried out their main work, studies, etc., in Ireland for more than 6 months in the 4 years prior to the MedDevDoc recruitment deadline. Professor Abhay Pandit said: “CÚRAM is perfectly positioned to coordinate MedDevDoc given its innovative strengths, active industry collaborations, and its missions to continue to train and empower the next generation of researchers who can engage with the public and stakeholders to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines and CÚRAM outputs. The 25 postdoctoral researchers will join our large team of multidisciplinary researchers working at the cutting edge of medical devices.” MedDevDoc will combine the expertise across CÚRAM’s academic network to host and train fellows across Ireland and existing partnerships with Irish companies and multinationals in the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology sectors. These non-academic secondment visits will provide the training ground for designing and manufacturing next-generation devices and implants, some of which can be developed with strong clinical collaborations to enable rapid translation to clinics. MedDevDoc aims to strengthen the excellence of Ireland’s and Europe’s global leadership in medical device research innovation with the goal of enriching partnerships with participating organisations in research and innovation to bring economic benefits to local, regional and/or national ecosystems. For more details and to apply, visit meddevdoc.eu MedDevDoc is cofounded by the European Union’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and CÚRAM, Grant Agreement Number 101126640 (Dec 2023 to Nov 2028). Call identifier: HORIZON-MSCA-2022-COFUND-01-01.  

Professor Michael Monaghan, Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Trinity College Dublin, and a funded investigator at CÚRAM,  has today been awarded a highly prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant. He will now use the funding of approximately €2.6 million to pursue ground-breaking research that will enable significant advances in scientific knowledge.   Michael’s project, called PiezoMac, will develop a new cardiac patch that uses electric field stimulation to boost the regeneration of the heart muscle. Project PiezoMac Michael will develop a new platform of biomaterials that, by virtue of their material chemistry and geometrical design, will treat patients with heart muscle injury after a heart attack. Extending to injuries and providing structural support to damaged tissues, the work will provide better quality of life to patients. The multidisciplinary approach where biomedical engineering, computer science, and immunology intersect, will employ novel imaging technologies for the first time in Ireland.   Hesaid: “I am incredibly grateful to receive this funding and the enormous opportunity it provides to pursue this project, while training talented PhD students and Post-doctoral researchers to work on a project that I have been building towards for the last few years. I’m especially thankful for the support of friends, colleagues, and collaborators who contributed during the development of the grant and to Trinity’s Research Development Office for their continued support.  “The ERCs support of ‘blue skies’ research offers a lifeline for pursuing this frontier work, which will have a significant impact in materials chemistry and medical devices. Previous internal funding support from Trinity and from our national agencies has led to this award, underlining the significance of national endorsement in securing non-exchequer funding. I’d like to specifically acknowledge past and present lab members who inspire me with their motivation, creativity and dedication, and I’m very excited for this next chapter in our lab.”  CÚRAM Director Professor Abhay Pandit said: “CÚRAM congratulates Michael on his success which is a strong indication of the world-leading quality of his research. Michael’s project is one of scientific excellence and promises to break new ground in the field.” -ends-   Dr. Michael Monaghan is an Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin. His group's primary research areas are in biomaterials (in particular electroconductive biomaterials), advanced processing and rational design of biomaterials, cardiac tissue regeneration, and real-time imaging of extracellular matrix components and metabolism in differentiation and disease. He leads a number of interdiciplinary projects between other academic groups and industry ranging from immunometabolism, evaluation of fibrosis, biomaterial synthesis and induced pluripotent stem cell derivitisation of cardiac organoids. www.monaghanlab.com

Una FitzGerald, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Galway and an Investigator in CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, was recently awarded the inaurgrual SFI Award for Supporting Green Transition 2023. The winners of the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Awards for 2023 were announced on November 20th at the Research Summit, a joint Summit hosted by SFI and the Irish Research Council (IRC).  Una is a leading voice in the national movement of ‘greening’ research laboratories, and her laboratory was the first in Europe to be Green Lab-certified. She also led the Galway Green Labs initiative and is the chairperson for Irish Green Labs, a network of Irish labs that share case studies and best practice in lab sustainability. Commending the award winners, Prof. Philip Nolan, Director General, Science Foundation Ireland, said: “Through their innovation, creativity and tireless work, these researchers have striven to improve the world around them. SFI is delighted to recognise their efforts and achievements with these prestigious accolades. I want to offer my sincere congratulations to all the award recipients.”  This year’s SFI Awards feature ten categories, including an inaugural award for Supporting Green Transition.

Two University of Galway academic researchers, both funded invesigators at CÚRAM, have been named on the annual Highly Cited Researchers 2023 list from Clarivate. Professors Afshin Samali and Patrick W. Serruys join the prestigious list of almost 7,000 researchers from more than 1,300 institutions in 67 countries and regions who have demonstrated significant and broad influence in their field or fields through the publication of multiple highly cited papers during the last decade.  Professor Jim Livesey, Vice President for Research and Innovation, University of Galway, said: “A huge congratulations to our academic researchers – Patrick Serruys and Afshin Samali - who have been named this year among the world’s most highly cited. To be part of this prestigious global group is testament to the quality and impact of their work and fitting recognition of their determination to develop breakthroughs and solutions for healthcare of the future.”  Professor Afshin Samali, listed in the Cross-Field category, is Professor and Chair of Cancer Biology at the College of Science and Engineering at University of Galway and Director of the Apoptosis Research Centre, and is a leading cancer biologist with expertise in the field of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and cell death/survival signalling in cancer, with a successful research career spanning over 30 years. One of Professor Samali’s areas of research relates to cell behaviour of one of the most aggressive forms of cancer which affects women - triple negative breast cancer – and using this knowledge to explore how the disease can be combatted. He is a researcher with CÚRAM, the Science Foundation Ireland research centre for medical devices, based at University of Galway and with Precision Oncology Ireland. Afshin Samali fled Iran and came to Ireland as a refugee aged 17 due to persecution of members of the Bahai’i Faith. He is on the University of Galway's Universities of Sanctuary Programme committee and has been supporting Afghan refugees in their efforts to access third level education in Ireland. Professor Patrick W. Serruys, listed in the Clinical Medicine category, is Established Professor of Interventional Medicine and Innovation, Director of the CORRIB Research Centre for Advanced Imaging and Core Laboratory at the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. Professor Serruys is a world-renowned expert in interventional cardiology and imaging with more than four decades experience in clinical trials and innovation in medicine. He has pioneered several interventional procedures and devices as well as imaging techniques. Bar Veinstein, President of Academia and Government at Clarivate, said: “We celebrate the Highly Cited Researchers whose contributions transform our world by helping to make it healthier, more sustainable and more secure. Recognition of Highly Cited Researchers not only validates research excellence but also enhances reputation, fosters collaboration, and informs resource allocation, acting as a beacon for academic institutions and commercial organisations.” The full 2023 Highly Cited Researchers list can be viewed at https://clarivate.com/highly-cited-researchers/.  Ends

Ardán and CÚRAM, in collaboration with National Talent Academy for Animation, are delighted to announce a new callout for Science on Screen animation commissions.    Animators are being sought to create short, one-minute 2D animations, to explain research projects being developed at CÚRAM, a SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices based at University of Galway. The goal is to create animations which can communicate complex ideas in an easy-to-understand way for public and patient audiences.    CÚRAM have outlined four projects which will each have an animation created for it by an animator. Each project will have a total budget of €4,000, a duration of 50-60 seconds and a time frame of 14 weeks to complete. Animators will receive mentoring during the process which will be facilitated by the National Talent Academy for Animation.    The animator will be provided with a draft script for the animation and will work with the research team to develop and produce the final piece, receiving feedback throughout the process from CÚRAM, Ardán and National Talent Academy for Animation.    Previous animations made can be found here.   Science on Screen Animation Commission 2023 Guidelines  Animators can apply as an individual or as a team.  The applicants must be habitually resident in Ireland.  Applicants must be 18 years of age or over.  Students in full time education are not eligible to apply.  The animator must be able to show through their portfolio their ability to create a high-quality animation which can represent the Science on Screen brand.  Animators may be offered the opportunity to produce more than one project.  Animators can nominate areas in mentorship they would like to receive.  The deadline for receipt of applications is 5PM on Thursday 7th December 2023.  Application Requirements & Form Cover Letter. Project Outline including mood board for one or more of the research projects. Note: Applicants can express an interest in a specific research project but doesn’t guarantee they will be assigned it.  Director / Producer Notes on the animation including vision, production method and time scale of project. A CV for each member of the team (PDF format) containing relevant experience.   Online link to the showreel, or previous animation work for each member of the team (PDF format).  Budget for how the €4,000 will be spent on the production.  Applicants must be available for online interview on 10th / 11th January 2024. Applications can be made via this Form.   Questions can be sent to kenny@ardan.ie    The projects available for animations are outlined below: Project 1: Solutions for Inflammatory Bowel Disease     Inflammatory Bowel Disease can cause continuous episodes of gut inflammation, surface erosions, ulcerations, and severe intestinal wall fibrosis.  The standard treatments have focused mainly on maintaining the remission levels of the disease, using anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory agents. However, these do not address the root cause of the condition.      This project aims to design a new hyaluronan hydrogel delivery system that can be injected into the lower bowel to protect the damaged gut wall by decreasing inflammation and permeability. This will act as a protective barrier to help manage inflammatory diseases in the colon.       Project 2: Biodegradable Coatings in Urinary Stents    The surface of urinary stents can be a breeding ground for bacteria which can cause discomfort for the patient, infection and encrustation of the stent. The removal of stents in these scenarios can be invasive and cause further complications for patients.     We will aim to remove bacteria from the stents by using electrically polar materials known as pyro and piezoelectric materials which can significantly reduce encrustation of stents through introducing electrical charges. Biodegradable molecular crystals with very high piezo and pyroelectricity which have antimicrobial effects could potentially be used to create a stent surface that would be difficult for microbes to colonise. This would make removal of stents a safer and easier process for patients.    Project 3: Nature Inspired Adhesion Films   This project explores attachment of materials (either devices or medicines) to wet and dynamic biological surfaces for tissue repair or delivery of medicines.  Existing bioadhesives made from hydrogels are usually either toxic or fragile, and their applications are often limited by low stiffness and toughness and non-adhesiveness in wet conditions. To find better solutions, the project is taking inspiration from nature.   Examples of organisms being studied in this way are barnacles, found on the sea shore, which produce a complex of proteins that enable them to stick to different surfaces. The team are aiming to reproduce these proteins to investigate their sticky properties for their potential use in tissue repair and drug delivery.   Further inspiration is taken from a new class of bioadhesives based on amino acids with the aim of engineering them into bioadhesive polypeptide hydrogels that have specific cellular adhesive property. The animation will show how attaching materials to cells and tissues is possible via inspiration from nature.   Project 4: Deep Brain Stimulation from Piezoelectric Electrodes  Focused ultrasound can be used to deliver energy deep into the brain without the need for invasive surgery. This project aims to create a miniaturized lens device that is biocompatible and can promote delivery of ultrasound with high resolution to a targeted region in the brain. This device would get rid of the need for invasive brain surgery and chronic device implantation for deep-brain stimulation treatment of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.      About CÚRAM:  CÚRAM is a world-leading research centre funded through Science Foundation Ireland, with expertise in medical device technology. With ten partner universities and multiple industry partners, CÚRAM’s aim is to improve the quality of life for people suffering from chronic illnesses like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and Parkinson’s disease.     Medical device research and development is based on multidisciplinary research involving basic or discovery-oriented research through applied and translational science. Given the complexities involved, communicating about this research to public audiences can present a challenge for researchers.     About Science on Screen: Education and Public Engagement (EPE) is a core activity at CÚRAM and the EPE Team is involved in a variety of innovative programmes aimed at engaging all audiences with its research. Science on Screen (a partnership between CÚRAM and Árdan) is one of these programmes that provides opportunities for collaboration between our researchers and creative artists. These collaborative projects help create a better understanding and awareness of CÚRAMs research and its importance in and for society.    Since 2016, Science on Screen has produced eight short-form science documentaries based on the research being undertaken by CÚRAM researchers. These films have reached an audience of over one million people worldwide, earned six international awards and have been screened at over 30 film festivals in 17 countries. 

CÚRAM researchers at University of Galway, together with colleagues at the Centre for Molecular Nanometrology at University of Strathclyde have published work unveiling the inner workings of cells. Published recently in the German scientific journal  Angewandte Chemie, the work provides a deeper understanding of the way components within cells are interconnected. This research has been on the agenda of scientists worldwide for many years, and has yielded plenty of useful information on how certain diseases behave. Through cellular visualisation using SRS microscopy, the team have addressed the challenge of attaining clear images of individual processes. Both time consuming and difficult to analyse due to combinations of poor image quality, previous efforts in multiplex optical detection in live cells has been limitated in how many processes can be tracked and having to physically alter the cell to get a clear image. The presented work utilises dyes which make no adjustment to the cell itself, is completed within minutes and tracks up to 9 different aspects of the cell structure simultaneously. This represents a significant advancement in the field, improving on 7 trackable processes in previous work. Lead author Dr Pau Farras, Associate Professor in Inorganic Chemistry in the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, at the University of Galway and Principal Investigator at CÚRAM SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, said: “This work will provide scientists with a tool to garner lots of information out of cells within a short space of time. This has the potential to assist in understanding how current drugs developed for a range of applications are fighting disease and even provide hints on how to improve treatments.” The paper was published by Angewandte Chemie and can be read in full here – https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202311530 Ends

RTÉ will broadcast a special documentary shinning a light on the lived experience of cancer patients, their contribution to research and the ongoing work of research centres that will shape how cancer will be treated in the future. ‘The People There to Catch Us’ tells the story of Tom Hope and Rachel O’Mahony, two cancer patients who work alongside researchers at CÚRAM, SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices at University of Galway and Precision Oncology Ireland, led from University College Dublin, to help improve the lives of others living with the disease. The documentary, facilitated by Ardán, produced by Ronan Cassidy of Carbonated Comet and directed by Luke Brabazon, will be screened at 8pm on Monday November 13 on RTÉ 1.  Professor William Gallagher, Precision Oncology Ireland Deputy Director and Co-Lead of the All-Island Cancer Research Institute, whose own personal experience with cancer in his family continues to shape and motivate his approach to cancer research, said: “Precision Oncology Ireland researchers are working on developing a variety of targeted approaches to diagnose and more accurately treat cancer patients based on the exact type of disease they have and their own personal biology. In the past, cancer patients were only offered generalised approaches, such as chemotherapy, to tackle their disease, often leading to significant side effects. Our team is working hard to find unique characteristics of certain cancers that can be used to improve patient outcomes while lessening the challenge of side effects.” Tom Hope explains his role as a patient partner and steering committee member of the Patient Voice in Cancer Research: “I am involved as a patient on a number of committees with oncologists, radiologists, urologists and scientists. Sharing my personal experiences, I have found that most medics don’t understand the anxiety that diagnosis and treatment can cause a patient and their family. In addition to occasionally discussing research with scientists and giving them the benefit of my lived experience of cancer, I have had the great pleasure of acting as a peer-to-peer volunteer and sharing my personal experience with men diagnosed with prostate cancer. In this way, I hope that I am giving them comfort that their experience is not unique, with supports being there to get through their treatment and live a normal life. A few comforting words telling you that you can get through this, can make all the difference.” Dr Róisín Dwyer, CÚRAM and Precision Oncology Ireland Investigator, University of Galway, who features in the film, said: “I’m delighted that this film will reach a national audience, to show them the research that is happening here in Ireland on their own doorstep. Our research is patient-focused and we are privileged to work so closely with patient partners like Rachel who has contributed to our research at University of Galway over several years. This film is a celebration of the power of collaboration, highlighting that we can achieve so much more when we all work together.”   Ardán CEO, Alan Duggan said: “Ardán has been proud to co-facilitate the Science on Screen programme with CÚRAM for the last eight years. This initiative affords filmmakers the opportunity to develop their creative skills as they produce important content on STEM subjects, while also providing a key educational and promotional resource for the science research community and the professionals involved. This month, alongside CÚRAM and the National Talent Academy Animation, we open the next round of the Science on Screen animation. We look forward to continuing this programme with our partners to promote science through the creative industries.” This is the seventh documentary produced through the CÚRAM-Ardán Science on Screen initiative, which aims to facilitate, promote and increase the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production.  ‘The People There to Catch Us’ was produced in collaboration with Precision Oncology Ireland and the Patient Voice in Cancer Research and funded by CÚRAM, the All-Island Cancer Research Institute, the UCD-Wellcome Institutional Strategic Support Fund and the National Breast Cancer Research Institute. Along with Dr Dwyer, the documentary also features Professor William Gallagher, Precision Oncology Ireland Deputy Director, UCD Conway Institute and Co-Lead, All-Island Cancer Research Institute; and Professor Walter Kolch, Precision Oncology Ireland Director, and Director of Systems Biology Ireland, UCD, all of whom are focused on personalised cancer research at Precision Oncology Ireland. Science on Screen began in 2016 with CÚRAM funding documentary filmmaking through Ardán as facilitators and providing access to leading scientists and laboratories within CÚRAM to explore methods of scientific ‘storytelling’ and to produce short films that incorporate current research at CÚRAM and its partners. These documentaries are available for community and educational screenings nationwide. Find out more on the CÚRAM website www.curamdevicesengage.ie. Ends

€2.7m Horizon Europe grant awarded for innovative research into new therapeutics    Researchers at University of Galway are to lead an international research project exploring innovative therapeutics targeting one of the most aggressive and challenging cancers to affect women – Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). The project is supported by €2.7million Horizon Europe grant funding from the European Research Executive Agency. Led by Professor Sharon Glynn, Fulbright Scholar and Professor in Pathology at University of Galway, the research is dedicated to developing a new set of therapeutics for the treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer – which affects about 10-15% of women diagnosed with breast cancer.  The cancer is highly aggressive and challenging to treat as it lacks hormone receptors, making targeted therapies ineffective. As a consequence, treatment options for women suffering from the disease are limited to surgery and chemotherapy. The research team is a collaboration between University of Galway; CÚRAM – the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Medical Devices based at University of Galway; University of Seville; University of Luxemburg; University of Udine; University of Sienna; Trinity College Dublin; EPHE-PSL; Danish Cancer Institute; ISOF-CNR;  Saolta University Health Care Group; Galway Clinic; Houston Methodist Hospital; and other international partners.  The research project - Advanced Engineering of Nitric Oxide Based Therapeutics for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Training Network (No-CANCER-NET) - will focus on developing a new set of therapeutics for the treatment of TNBC.  Professor Glynn, who through her dedicated research over the past 15 years, has made significant advancements in understanding TNBC, said: “A big issue with this type of breast cancer is that it tends to be more aggressive from the very start and it carries a higher risk of spreading early to different parts of the body. Also, women can be diagnosed at a very young age with this cancer - often before standard breast cancer screening begins at the age of 50.”  Professor Abhay Pandit, Director of CÚRAM and co-Principal Investigator in NO-CANCER-NET, said: “CÚRAM has internationally renowned expertise in research for the development and delivery of therapeutics, in addition to being model for expert training of postgraduate and postdoctoral scientists.” Professor Glynn continued: “My team and I have been working to find new ways to treat TNBC, including the discovery of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels predicting poor outcomes in hormone receptor-negative breast cancer.  “Women whose tumour had high levels of iNOS were five times more likely to die from breast cancer than those who had low levels providing us with a new therapeutic opportunity. “This project will take two approaches to target nitric oxide, one which can trigger cell death and tumour regression, and the second, by targeting blood flow and tumour vasculature.” Professor Glynn’s research, during her postdoctoral training at the US National Institutes of Health, provided the initial rationale for findings that then led to a clinical trial of NOS inhibitors for the treatment of TNBC, by Dr Jenny Chang in Houston Methodist Hospital.  Dr Jenny Chang, a specialist in Breast Medical Oncology and Director of the Houston Methodist Hospital, said: “The cancer landscape is a fast-moving and ever-progressing area of research. Treatment modalities for various cancers have drastically improved in the past 10 years. However, our fight to treat some form of cancers, especially rare, aggressive and metastatic disease is still on going. We are delighted to collaborate with NO-CANCER-NET led by University of Galway as part of an international network, which will train the next generation of doctoral students. This network will provide a unique opportunity to understand the complexities of bench to bedside cancer research, as well as the importance of an interdisciplinary approach and an understanding of the fundamentals of related disciplines. This will be of great importance in preparing these students to work between academia, industry and in clinical healthcare providers. This skillset will accelerate the development of new therapeutics like NO-related therapeutics.” Ends

Three CÚRAM researchers are among the research projects awarded a combined €24.6m in funding under the Irish Research Council’s (IRC) flagship Government of Ireland programmes, announced by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, recently. The IRC’s Government of Ireland scheme supports top early-career researchers who are based in Ireland’s higher education and research institutions. The investment will fund 294 awards in total, namely 214 postgraduate scholarships and 80 postdoctoral fellowships. Announcing the funding awards, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, said: “I am delighted to announce this investment for a new generation of postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers under the Irish Research Council’s Government of Ireland programmes. These awards will support the development of the next generation of excellent researchers in Ireland, as they pursue new knowledge at the cutting edge of a wide range of disciplines. This investment recognises the huge potential of Ireland’s early-career researchers, and it will support the development of skills, knowledge and innovation that will meet the challenges of today and the future”. Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme awardeeMaria Redmond will Investigate the endocannabinoid system as a novel therapeutic target for anxiety, depression and impaired cognition associated with chronic wounds.   Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme awardees includeAmir Abdo and Sean Kilroy. Amir Abdo will investigate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species-shielding and carbon monoxide generating microgels for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer. Sean Kilroy, based at UCD, will investigate the development of an antimigration coating for gastrointestinal stents. CÚRAM also wishes to acknowledge and congratulate Saoirse Ryan, a graduate of our Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (2022) who has been awarded a Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship to investigate biomaterial enhanced cellular brain repair for Parkinson's disease. For more information about the Irish Research Council, visit www.research.ie. Ends

CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices based at University of Galway, together with Galway City Museum has launched a new public exhibition celebrating the collaboration, creativity and innovation in medical technology (medtech) research in Ireland. SUPERHUMAN explores the story of the medtech sector which employs over 40,000 people in Ireland today. As the highest exporter of medical device products per capita in Europe, Ireland is one of the top five hubs for medtech research in the world. The exhibition, which is the only exhibit in the country exploring the world of medical technology in Ireland, showcases the development of Galway and Ireland as a medtech hub and explains how we can all play a part in driving research forward. Visitors are invited to experiment with interactive features, explore information panels, view short films and learn about medical device research past, present and future. Professor Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director at CÚRAM, commented: “450 medtech companies are based in the west of Ireland, and the sector is of huge value to the Irish economy. Over 80% of stents are produced in Galway which means that if you are one of those people who have a stent have a little piece of Galway in your heart. “We’re delighted to partner with Galway City Council to showcase the many reasons why Galway has become a global hub for medical device research. We look forward to continuing the collaboration and the opportunity it gives us to share our work with new audiences and collaborators over the coming years.” University of Galway President Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said: “This exhibit provides an excellent platform for everyone to engage with our world class researchers and to see the benefits of the research carried out in Galway, at the University of Galway. It is a going out to our community consistent with our value of openness. It is also an example of the care that is at the heart of CÚRAM and University of Galway, and our impact in areas of profound need in and for our communities. SUPERHUMAN as Gaeilge is fordhaonna. Tá sé seo fíordhaonna – truly human – freisin.” Eithne Verling, Director at the Galway City Museum, said: “Galway City Museum is delighted with the new SUPERHUMAN exhibition and with the creative collaboration with Cúram and SFI. This is a unique exhibition in Ireland and a most important one for Galway, a thriving global medtech cluster.” CÚRAM’s research is focused on developing innovative and smart medical devices and implants to improve the quality of life for patients with chronic ailments such as heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes. In line with University of Galway’s core values of respect, excellence, openness and sustainability, CÚRAM’s public engagement programme is focused on building relationships with community. The exhibit is located on the upper floor of the Galway City Museum and is fully and freely accessible. Throughout the year, a number of events associated with the exhibit will be run by CÚRAM at the museum in collaboration with local organisations such as Baboró International Arts Festival Children, the Galway Science and Technology Festival, and others. For more information on the exhibition or on the associated programme of events people can contact museum@galwaycity.ie or call 091 532 460.  The public are invited to subscribe to the museum newsletter and to follow the museum online at www.galwaycitymuseum.ie or on social media for all the latest in SUPERHUMAN developments. Ends  

CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices at University of Galway, in collaboration with the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, will mark World Cancer Research Day with a special screening of the documentary ‘The People There to Catch Us’.  The screening will take place on Sunday September 24 at the Town Hall Theatre, Galway at 4.30pm. ‘The People There to Catch Us’ tells the story of Tom Hope and Rachel O’Mahony, two cancer survivors who work alongside researchers at CÚRAM, SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices at University of Galway and Precision Oncology Ireland (POI), to help improve the lives of others living with the disease. The documentary shines a light on the lived experience of cancer survivors, their contribution to research and the ongoing work of research centres like CÚRAM and Precision Oncology Ireland that will shape how cancer will be treated in the future. Speaking about the screening, Dr Róisín Dwyer, CÚRAM and POI Investigator, University of Galway, who features in the film, said: “I’m delighted that we are giving Galway audiences a chance to see this film, and to show them the research that is ongoing on their own doorstep. Our research is patient-focused and we are privileged to work so closely with patient advocates like Rachel who has contributed to our research at University of Galway over several years. This film is a celebration of the power of collaboration, highlighting that we can achieve so much more when we all work together.”   The documentary was produced by Ronan Cassidy of Carbonated Comet and directed by Luke Brabazon under CÚRAM’s Science on Screen public engagement programme.  The film features Dr Róisín Dwyer, CÚRAM and POI Investigator, University of Galway; Professor William Gallagher, POI Deputy Director, UCD Conway Institute and Co-Lead, All-Island Cancer Research Institute; and Professor Walter Kolch, POI Director, and Director of Systems Biology Ireland, UCD, all of whom are focused on personalised cancer research at Precision Oncology Ireland. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with film participants Dr Róisín Dwyer, patient advocates Tom Hope and Rachel O’Mahony, Consultant Breast Surgeon Professor Aoife Lowery, and the film’s director, Luke Brabazon. Claire Riordan, Public Engagement Manager with CÚRAM, said: “Screenings like this allow us to have important conversations about research outside of the lab with the people that will be affected by it. We want to provide opportunities for people to learn both about the research and the lived experience of the conditions that are highlighted in the film.” Patrick Casey, National Breast Cancer Institute Operations Manager, said: “National Breast Cancer Research Institute are thrilled to co-host the upcoming screening of ‘The People There to Catch Us’. We felt it important to be able to make the film freely accessible to the generous supporters and advocates of our charity. The documentary focuses on the real-life journey of cancer survivors, their valuable contributions to research, and the continuous efforts of research centres, and we believe this is a group opportunity for our stakeholders to come along and watch the film and partake in the interactive Q&A session. “The timing of this screening is no coincidence, as it takes place on World Cancer Research Day. This day serves as a global reminder of our shared responsibility to drive forward the frontiers and promote awareness of cancer research. This aligns with our vision to have a real and measurable impact on outcomes for breast cancer patients.” Admission is free but registration is required to secure a place at the event, https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-people-there-to-catch-us-a-screening-for-world-cancer-research-day-tickets-708819075937?aff=oddtdtcreator Ends

CÚRAM Researcher Awarded Prestigious Julia Polak Award at ESB 2023 CÚRAM postdoctoral researcher Dr Kieran Joyce has been awarded the Julia Polak European Doctorate Award 2023 by the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB) and was presented with this award at the General Assembly of the ESB conference to be held from 4-8 September 2023 in Davos. He is the latest CÚRAM graduate to receive this acknowledgement, following in the footsteps of nine earlier CÚRAM alumni. The award is given by the ESB council and presented annually at the conference event. Candidates nominated for the award need to demonstrate receipt of a high standard of research education and training at a European level in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering and that they are able to produce scientific results deserving of recognition by being published and accepted in high-quality journals and conferences. To this end, candidates will have had to spend at least one month of research work in a country outside the country of their home institution, have produced at least two peer-reviewed international publications as the first author and have participated at least twice at an international scientific meeting as presenting author, during their PhD. Dr Joyce’s PhD research focused on glycosylation in human intervertebral disc degeneration and the development of glyco-functionalised biomaterials. Over the course of his PhD he has published in several prestigious journals, including Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, Tissue Engineering Part B and European Cells and Materials. Dr Joyce was supervised by Professor Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director at CÚRAM, the SFI-funded Research Centre for Medical Devices at University of Galway. "It is very gratifying for any researcher to have their work recognised this way. I’m extremely proud that CÚRAM graduates continue to be acknowledged for the quality of their training and research outputs. All of our researchers put extraordinary amounts of energy, time and effort into their work, and I'd like to congratulate Kieran on this award, which he richly deserves," said Prof Pandit. In response to receiving this award, Kieran said “I’m very grateful to receive this acknowledgement from an esteemed society such as the ESB, at the forefront of biomaterial research. My work at CÚRAM would not have been possible without the help of my mentors and colleagues over the years, especially Abhay for all his guidance. I look forward to continuing my work in spine regeneration and hope to contribute to the ESB again soon.” Since its establishment in 1976, the ESB conference has been a significant event for the biomaterials science community. ESB 2023 will once again bring together all major disciplines of biomaterials science enabling participants to network with colleagues, establish new collaborations, exchange knowledge, and discuss recent advances in emerging biomaterials-related topics.  

CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices at University of Galway, is now enrolling for its Teachers in Residence Programme 2023-2024. Now in its eighth year, the initiative is designed to foster science education by bridging the gap between scientific research and the classroom. CÚRAM has expanded the forthcoming programme to incorporate researchers from four additional SFI Research Centres across Ireland: APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Centre; BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre; FutureNeuro, the SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases; and SSPC SFI Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals. Available for five primary and five secondary school teachers, the programme and will run as a series of ten, one-hour online sessions between October 2023 and March 2024. Participating teachers will receive 10 ECTS through University of Galway’s Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development, fully funded by CÚRAM. Teachers and their students also have the opportunity to attend interactive workshops at various science centres and exhibits across Ireland. Professor Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director at CÚRAM, said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with other SFI Research Centres this year to broaden the scope and reach of this already successful programme. By infusing their teaching with the latest scientific developments, we hope teachers can inspire students to be aware of the relevance of science in their lives. We also want to provide practical support through resources that can be used in classrooms and online.” Teachers from all disciplines are invited to support and encourage multidisciplinary approaches to teaching science. Participants will learn about and receive resources for the classroom, including science engagement activities and lesson plan kits developed by teachers for teachers, that are linked with the primary and junior cycle science curricula. Teachers will also collaborate with scientific researchers to develop engaging, relevant educational materials to enrich classroom instruction and spark students’ interest. To apply for a place in the Teachers in Residence Programme 2023-2024 or to explore and download lesson plan kits developed by previous years’ teachers (including Irish language versions), can be downloaded at https://curamdevicesengage.ie/teachers-in-residence/[CG1] . Deadline for applications is Friday, 29 September 2023. -Ends- Notes to Editor About CÚRAM  CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, is developing the next-generation of medical devices and training a highly-skilled workforce. Set up in 2015, CÚRAM is now a world-leading Irish Medical Device R&D Centre based out of University of Galway. While led by University of Galway, CÚRAM’s partner institutes include University College Dublin, University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Dublin City University, The Technological University of the Shannon, Technological University Dublin and the National Institute Bioprocessing Research and Training. The Centre is focused on the development of medical implants, therapeutic and diagnostic devices that address the needs of patients living with chronic illness. They also partner with local small-and-medium-enterprises (SMEs), and multinational medical device and pharmaceutical companies to increase employment in Ireland. The Centre has seen numerous scientific breakthroughs, as researchers focus on improving the quality of life for patients living with long-term chronic conditions such as diabetes, back pain, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Our researchers focus on engineering approaches for repair and remodelling, improved drug delivery solutions and superior medical implant designs to treat chronic diseases. CÚRAM was created because of the need for clinicians, industry and researchers to collaborate in developing medical devices which will not only create jobs, but also develop a global hub for MedTech. Follow us @ CURAMdevices or visit www.curamdevices.ie   

Professor Martin O’Halloran secures record level of prestigious research awards University of Galway researcher and CÚRAM Funded-Investigator Professor Martin O’Halloran has been awarded a European Research Council (ERC) Proof of Concept grant worth €150,000.  This latest accolade for Professor O’Halloran brings his total ERC awards to seven with a combined value of €4.25million in funding since 2015, making him the joint-highest ERC awardee in Ireland. The ERC Proof of Concept is being awarded for his research work on NeuroProtect - a novel therapy to prevent peripheral neuropathy in patients undergoing chemotherapy. The side-effect results in nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves) being damaged and can lead to weakness, numbness and pain, usually in the hands and feet which can cause significant disability and pain for cancer patients. Professor O’Halloran is Techrete Professor of Medical Electronics, Executive Director of the University of Galway-Enterprise Ireland funded BioInnovate Ireland, a funded-investigator at CÚRAM and Director of the Translational Medical Device Lab at the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway. His research projects to have been awarded ERC grants include: BioElecPro - Examining the electrical properties of human tissue as a platform for new medical devices Realta - Microwave ablation for the treatment of adrenal tumours Draiocht - Medical device for the treatment of varicose veins Hydrolieve - A long-lasting drug-free effective treatment for chronic Trigeminal Neuralgia pain EndoSolve - A novel medical device for the treatment of Endometriosis Arth-Alleve - Development of novel therapies for osteoarthritis pain Speaking about the ERC Proof of Concept award for NeuroProtect, Professor O’Halloran said: “This represents our seventh European Research Council grant since 2015, and addresses a medical problem significant to cancer patients - to minimise the long-term side effects of chemotherapy. It builds on ever growing collaborations between engineering and medicine at the University, and we hope to have an impact in the clinic in the very near future.” Professor Jim Livesey, Vice-President Research and Innovation at University of Galway, said: “The record ERC awards for Professor O’Halloran are a striking recognition of the quality and level of research he and his teams are leading at University of Galway, as well as the potential for impact on people’s quality of life. The ERC awards also demonstrate the role which our University plays regionally, nationally and internationally and its value in the medtech sector on a global stage.” Proof of Concept grants are awarded to ERC grant holders as top-up funding to explore the commercial or innovation potential of the results of their ERC-funded research. Ends

‘We are a small country with a high level of pharmaceutical and biotech companies so it has been easy to spread awareness’ Written by Sylvia Thompson and published in the Irish Times on Thu Aug 24 2023   Science laboratories consume five to 10 times more energy and four times more water than offices. A University of Exeter study found that the average bench scientist generates more than 1,000kg of plastic waste each year compared to about 61 grammes generated by the average person. Put all these statistics together and it’s not surprising that efforts are now under way to introduce more sustainable practices into academic and commercial laboratories across Ireland. Jack O’Grady, senior programme manager of My Green Lab in Ireland, explains that with 139 laboratories here partaking in the My Green Lab certification programme, Ireland is second only to the United States in terms of numbers involved in the sustainability initiative but by per head of population we have most labs in the world pursuing Green Lab certification. “We are a small country with a high level of pharmaceutical and biotech companies so it has been easy to spread awareness,” says O’Grady who formerly worked for Regeneron pharmaceutical company in Limerick. Neuroscientist Una Fitzgerald kick-started the initiative here when the CÚRAM Science Foundation Ireland research centre for medical devices at the University of Galway became the first European lab to receive My Green Lab certification in 2019. That lab also became the first Irish lab to renew its Green Lab certification in 2022. “It’s about awareness-raising with each new group of students. It’s all about questioning what we are doing and interrogating our practices. For example, asking can I switch some chemicals to those that are less toxic to me and the environment and still get the same results,” explains Fitzgerald, who is an associate professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Galway. As chairwoman of the voluntary Irish Green Lab Network, Fitzgerald hosts meetings with representatives from all State university labs in Ireland, some hospital labs and some corporate labs that have or are pursuing Green Lab certification. “It’s about making it part of the culture of the lab but getting it embedded in the culture of the organisation is harder,” she says. The certification is recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign as a key measure of progress towards a zero-carbon future. And all university labs in Ireland have a target to be certified by My Green Lab by 2026. Earlier this year, the South East Technological University (Setu) developed a greener lab guide following efforts there to reduce energy, waste and water while improving procurement processes and embracing green chemistry and green biology. “We wanted to rethink how things have always been done daily in our laboratories, change mindsets and embed a culture of sustainability in our centre,” explains Tracey Coady, senior lecturer in pharmaceutical sciences at Setu’s Department of Science and project lead on My Green Lab at Setu. One of the biggest users of energy in laboratories is fume hoods (also called fume cupboards or fume closets) which are ventilation devices designed to limit exposure to hazardous or toxic fumes, vapours and dusts. “They account for between 40 and 50 per cent of the total energy consumption in the laboratory,” explains Niall O’Reilly, manager of the Pharmaceutical Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre at Setu. Simply putting “shut the sash” stickers next to the closing device on the fume hoods ensures machines are kept at the lowest operation position when the laboratories are not in use. Ultra-low temperature freezers used to store biological samples are estimated to use as much energy as an average American household each day. Orla Watters, senior technical officer at the Waterford campus of Setu says a lot of samples are stored at minus 80 degrees as researchers want to ensure their samples are safe so that experiment results can be replicated. “But, if we increase the temperature to minus 70 degrees, a lot of the samples will be fine so we need to change the mindset,” she adds. She refers to an initiative started in 2011 by the University of Colorado in the US where samples stored at minus 70 degrees are monitored. “Now, other universities have joined and continue to catalogue their monitoring to reassure researchers that their samples are safe at minus 70 degrees,” she notes. Some researchers are also embracing more sustainable processes that they hope will be taken on by pharmaceutical companies. For example, PhD student at Setu Sarah Kernaghan is working on a greener approach to pharmaceutical production using enzymes. “I’m using bio-catalysis which involves the use of natural enzymes to catalyse reactions rather than finite metals or harsh acids. Enzymes work well at room temperature which is safer for the chemists and also reduces the energy consumption required by other catalysts requiring higher or lower temperatures,” she says. Enzymes can also be used over and over again rather than being used up in the experiment. Other research aims to reduce the volumes of solvents used in chemical analysis or even better to replace them with more environmentally friendly solvents. In the new Setu Greener Lab guide, there are lots of simple tips to improve sustainability. For example, ensuring the last person leaving the laboratory checks that all equipment and processes that can be turned off at the end of the day are turned off. “We plan to roll this out across all laboratories to go after rogue instruments using loads of energy,” O’Reilly says.The so-called freezer challenge also encourages researchers to clean vents, check seals and remove ice so that freezers work at their most efficient levels. And researchers are also encouraged to switch from plastic to glass/reusable plastic and to share reagents or other materials with other laboratories before putting them in the waste/recycling streams. John O’Brien is laboratory manager at the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. The two largest labs — physiology and pharmacy and bio-molecular sciences have received Green Lab certification in the last year. “It was predominantly about reducing energy, waste and water but we also segregated waste and introduced reusable plastics,” O’Brien says. Creating a separate waste stream for polystyrene and finding a company that would collect it was another key aspect of their efforts. Co-ordinating orders from suppliers is another obvious way of reducing transportation costs (and sometimes packaging) as well as reducing the emissions from the transport sector itself. “We have about 40 researchers and while we can’t always predict when we need chemicals, we could develop a system for orders where there is a database or list so we could co-ordinate ordering with each other,” O’Reilly adds. The move towards more sustainable practices in State-funded academic laboratories is in line with the obligation on all public bodies to reduce their carbon emissions by 51 per cent by 2030 from baseline years of 2016-2018 and to improve energy efficiency to 50 per cent from base years between 2001 and 2005. But those at the forefront of the green labs concept, underline the need to educate undergraduate students in these sustainability practices so that when they go into industry, they will carry the knowledge and practical approach into their commercial laboratories. “It’s all about education and communication. In Setu, we have about 900 students about 130 laboratories running every week where we can significantly reduce the volume of waste. It’s about creating an ethos across all our undergraduate laboratories so that we are also very conscious of sustainability,” Watters says.

CÚRAM has celebrated the achievement of participants of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) at University of Galway for a second year, with a research symposium event at Galway City Museum. In 2022, the UROP programme was funded through Science Foundation Ireland to support underrepresented undergraduate student development by providing fully paid summer internships in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) laboratories across University of Galway for six weeks between May and August. CÚRAM has continued this programme in 2023, by providing a further five opportunities for undergraduate students in biomedical engineering, physiology and pharmacology. On completion of the programme, participants were invited to present the outputs of their research activity at a research symposium and were awarded certificates of achievement by University of Galway’s Vice President for Engagement, Dr Paul Dodd. Dr Dodd spoke to students about his own undergraduate internship experience which he says influenced much of the rest of his career and about the numerous opportunities for STEM careers in Ireland today, saying “With world class research being pursued in a number of fields at University of Galway, including biomedical research through CÚRAM and others, we truly have the opportunity to change the world for the better from right here”. The event was attended by the CURAM team, the interns, their families and peers. Haneen Moustafa, one of the interns who took part in UROP, spoke of her experience under the supervision of Dr Andrew Daly, “The experience has granted me a wealth of knowledge and skills, boosting my confidence as I approach a mandatory internship in my upcoming college year, which initially seemed daunting. Remarkably, this internship has even sparked my consideration of applying for a Ph.D. after graduation – something I never considered before”. Firose Shafin, another of the students who took part, highly recommends the internship, saying “I wholeheartedly endorse the UROP CURÁM internship to any student looking for a hands-on research experience. It's more than just an internship - it's a pathway to personal and academic growth”. Prof Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director of CÚRAM commented "We have continued this initiative into 2023 to highlight STEM research as an exciting, long-term career option for undergraduate students and encourage underrepresented STEM students to achieve their full potential. We hope these internships will address the low levels of participation of underrepresented groups in research careers and third-level education." UROP Participants in 2023 were Omar Konswah, Haneen Moustafa, Aditya Joshi, Firose Shafin and Aonghus Feeney. The students benefitted from the extensive exepertise, mentorship and guidance of their supervisors at University of Galway; Dr Isma Liza Mohd Isa (CÚRAM), Dr Andrew Daly (Biomedical Engineering & CÚRAM), Dr Karl NcCullagh (Physiology), Dr Amir Shafat (Physiology) and Prof Eilís Dowd (Pharmacology). CÚRAM's Education and Public Engagement (EPE) Programme supports SFI's strategic goals outlined in SFI Strategy 2025. 'Science for Everyone', as described in the Strategy document, involves creating a diverse scientific, research and innovation workforce that is welcoming to all. It extends to active engagement and co-creation with the Irish public. It aims to be inspirational for future generations, and provide excellent opportunities to recruit and support outstanding researchers at all stages of their careers in academia and industry. -ends- About CÚRAM CÚRAM is a world-leading Irish Medical Device R&D Centre (Over €270M committed to date) that works to improve the quality of life for people with chronic illness. Our scientific programme addresses key problems, technical challenges, and current medical device design and functionalisation limitations. We focus on improving existent devices, developing convergent technologies into clinical solutions and establishing quality standardisation systems. Our key strength is bringing together networks of specialist researchers, industry partners and clinicians to develop solutions for global health challenges. Our researchers focus on bioengineering approaches for repair and remodelling, improved drug delivery solutions, and superior medical implant designs to treat chronic diseases, including chronic and acute respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, neurological disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions.

CÚRAM's Education and Public Engagement team recently received a 'Highly Commended Certificate' for the 2023 Mariano Gago Ecsite Responsible & Responsive Award. The award recognises the highly collaborative nature of the "Tiny Sea Creatures, Big Cures" exhibit created in collaboration with Galway Atlantaquaria. The award was presented last month at the 2023 ECSITE Conference in Valetta, Malta. Ecsite, the European Collaborative for Science, Industry and Technology Exhibitions,is an internationally recognised organisation in science communication and public engagement. As part of the conference proceedings, members of CÚRAM's Education and Public Engagement team presented the award-winning Science on Screen programme, together with partners Ardán, filmmaker Niamh Heery of Swansong Films, neuroscientist Eilis Dowd of University of Galway and patient contributors Tom Hope and Rachel O'Mahoney. 'Science Gets Cinematic' was the ECSITE session which brought together the voices of patients, scientists, filmmakers and science communication experts at CÚRAM with filmmaking experts at Ardán. The 75-minute session explored the impact of participation in the Science on Screen programme from various perspectives and practical insights into exploring the use of film as a science storytelling technique. The Science on Screen programme funds documentary filmmaking and provides access to leading scientists to explore methods of scientific 'storytelling'. It has produced eight short films highlighting current research at CÚRAM and its impact on society. With more than 320 organisations committed to inspiring people with science and technology and driving science engagement forward with professional events, projects and publications, Ecsite connects, inspires and empowers science engagement organisations and professionals, extending the reach and strengthening the impact of their work. Ecsite's vision is a European society where citizens are encouraged to engage and participate in science. Their contribution to science research and policy is valuable in addressing humankind's global challenges.   -ends-   About Science on Screen CÚRAM & Ardán together run a partnership project called 'Science on Screen', which aims to facilitate, promote and increase the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production. The partnership began in 2016 with CÚRAM funding documentary filmmaking and providing access to leading scientists to explore scientific 'storytelling' methods and produce short films that incorporate current research at CÚRAM and its partners. These documentaries are freely available for community and educational screenings nationwide. Please contact Claire Riordan (claire.riordan@universityofgalway.ie) to request access. Since 2016, eight Science on Screen films have been produced. These have been broadcast on RTE and or TG4, screened at numerous international film festivals, and scooped six international awards. The documentaries are used throughout the country at schools, for community screenings and at academic conferences and have reached an audience of over 1 million people to date. You can access trailers for all films here.   About CÚRAM CÚRAM is a world-leading Irish Medical Device R&D Centre (Over €270M committed to date) that works to improve the quality of life for people with chronic illness. Our scientific programme addresses key problems, technical challenges, and current medical device design and functionalisation limitations. We focus on improving existent devices, developing convergent technologies into clinical solutions and establishing quality standardisation systems. Our key strength is bringing together networks of specialist researchers, industry partners and clinicians to develop solutions for global health challenges. Our researchers focus on bioengineering approaches for repair and remodelling, improved drug delivery solutions, and superior medical implant designs to treat chronic diseases, including chronic and acute respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, neurological disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions.   About Ardán Ardán is a non-profit, independent organisation operating across the West of Ireland and beyond. Our principal aim is to support audio-visual creatives in filmmaking, television, animation and games by enabling access and providing opportunities. Our work is founded upon our belief in the incredible depth of talent we have in the regions of Ireland and, most significantly, in the West. We aim to enable that formidable creative spirit to enrich the audio-visual industry and for talented individuals to realise their full potential and grow a sustainable career path. At the core of our support is providing opportunities. We know that talented people like you will not hesitate to seize opportunities if you can access them, and when you are given a chance to flex your creative muscles, you can and will produce something amazing.

Biomaterials Advances has just announced the Biomaterials Advances Innovation Award 2023 winners. The 'Biomaterials Advances Innovation Award' recognises innovative research in the field of biomaterials with the potential to impact beyond academia. The journal states that they seek individuals whose outstanding research has contributed or is likely to contribute to solving an unmet clinical need, be adopted by industry, or demonstrate a concept that will change policy. The 2023 award will be shared by two winners: Professor Abhay Pandit of the University of Galway and Professor Guoping Chen of the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS). Professor Abhay Pandit is the Established Professor of Biomaterials at the National University of Ireland and the Director of the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM). In his career span of thirty-two years, he has significantly contributed to biomaterials and medical device translation. After spending seven successful years in the industry, Professor Pandit transitioned to academia, where he has dedicated the past 25 years of his work. He draws inspiration from understanding biological processes that have been modulated in pathology. This knowledge informs the development of advanced biomaterial substrates for materials design, targeting degenerative or chronic conditions in cardiovascular, neural, and intervertebral disc domains. Professor Pandit's outstanding track record includes securing over €175 million in research contracts, filing 28 patents (with 14 pending), and successfully licensing technologies to medical device companies, enhancing the practical impact of his research. Another notable achievement of Professor Pandit's career is the establishment of CÚRAM, the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre for Medical Devices at the University of Galway in Ireland. Serving as a thriving hub for more than 1000 researchers, CÚRAM unites experts from diverse disciplines, fostering innovation and research translation. Professor Pandit's research contributions are well-documented through an extensive publication record. He has authored over 345 manuscripts and has presented over 715 papers at national and international conferences. He is the Associate Editor for Journal Biomaterials and serves on the Editorial Board of fifteen other journals. Additionally, he is the chair of the EU Chapter of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Society. Professor Pandit has been honoured with esteemed awards, such as the 2022 George Winter Award from the European Society for Biomaterials and the Chandra P Sharma Award from the Society for Biomaterials and Artificial Organs. He is also a Fellow of AIMBE, TERMIS, IAE, and IUSBSE. More information here - https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/biomaterials-advances/about/call-for-papers -ends-

The project on Clare Island, Co Mayo aims to become a template for telemedicine in other rural parts of the country This article was originally published by Áine Ryan in the Irish Times on Tue Jun 27 - read it here An island off Co Mayo has proven to be the perfect laboratory for rolling out a €1 million remote health project which aims to become a template for telemedicine in other rural parts of the country. Academics, healthcare professionals and some politicians braved rough seas on Tuesday morning to be treated to drone and robotic demonstrations at a conference marking the success so far of the Clare Island Home Health Project. The Robot called ‘Madra’ proved particularly popular as it delivered emergency medicines whilst a drone demonstration showed how efficiently an epipen could be delivered to the island. The medical simulation on Tuesday was the delivery of an epipen from the island’s medical centre to an emergency anaphylaxis situation. Madra brought a first aid kit up through mountains terrain at Capnagower to a patient. Over 80 islanders, aged from 18 to 90, have already signed up to the project, which began in September 2022. The brainchild of Professor Derek O’Keefe, a physicianeer (physician and engineer), who is attached to the University of Galway, the project is funded through a public-private partnership led by global technology company Cisco and CÚRAM, the Science Foundation of Ireland Research Centre for Medical Devices at the University of Galway, in partnership with the HSE. “Through our Health Innovation via Engineering (HIVE) laboratory in the university we have produced a patient-centred solution towards democratising clinical access and care. One of the major challenges for patients here in the West and beyond is the long distances people have to travel to access care, so new ways of delivering healthcare are necessary. The engagement of the islanders with the project has been key to the project’s success so far, “ Prof O’Keeffe says. The HIVE lab delivered insulin from Galway to Inis Mór by drone in 2019, confirms Prof O’Keeffe. For islander and project manager, Dr Ian McCabe, his experience of remote working from the island during the pandemic for the School of Physics at the University of Galway proved an invaluable experience, informing the practical and strategic approach for the everyday development of the project. Coincidentally, his late grandmother moved to the island from Co Galway’s Inishbofin in 1939 to oversee communications with the outside world through morse code skills – the remote form of communication with the outside world at the time. “Cisco wanted to test the bounds of what was possible for healthcare in a remote location and through proactive engagement with the former development coordinator here on the island, we were chosen,” McCabe explains. Welcoming both visitors and locals to the island’s community centre, McCabe praised the excellent service already provided by the two resident island nurses, Margaret O’Grady and Mary Murray, as well as GP, Dr Noreen Lineen- Curtis. She travels by sea from Achill each week for clinics, as her father did too for many decades. Addressing the gathering, Dr Lineen-Curtis observed: “This is the next dimension of remote GP care. You could say that we were already successfully providing remote care as I live on Achill Island and have a weekly clinic here. However, I would have often have made a diagnosis over the phone, to one of the two marvellous resident nurses on Clare, based on a photo of an ECG or a wound. The next step might have been requesting a Coastguard helicopter or the lifeboat.” The platform for the technologies available at the health hub is delivered through Irish company MyPatientSpace software. It includes the facilitation of clinical consultations with dual screen videos, remote patient monitoring and an Artificial Intelligence algorithm which actively triages the level of urgency for an outpatient appointment. Project participants wear Withings Pulse HR watches which allows them monitor aspects of their daily activities and heart-health. This information is downloaded to tablets they have been given for further analysis. Dr Lineen-Curtis cited a typical example of a possible cardiac arrhythmia event picked up through the monitoring process but which easily could be overlooked if a patient just presented at A & E. Islander, Jack Pinder (23) graduated with a social science degree from the University of Galway in 2022 and is delighted to be in a position to live at home and work on the project. “I can already see such a change in people’s attitude to health on the island,” Islander Jack Pinder who works on the project told The Irish Times. “I even came out of Mass the last day and some of the older farmers were standing chatting at the wall, as they always do, but they were chatting about their step-counts.” He started engaging with islanders last year thorough the community newsletter, the WhatsApp group and house visits. “There has been such a positive reaction to it. I can already see such a change in people’s attitude to health on the island,” Pinder told The Irish Times. “I even came out of Mass the last day and some of the older farmers were standing chatting at the wall, as they always do, but they were chatting about their step-counts. One of them was saying: ‘Well, I haven’t gone out after the sheep yet and that will bring it up for the day’.” Unsurprisingly, island representatives from along the coast attended the conference. John Walsh, of Co Cork’s Bere Island said: “It is really good to see that this service augments, and isn’t replacing, the existing service offered by nurses and doctors. Islanders would not just want technology alone. However, the drone technology will really provide a vital addition.” Brian Jordan, Cisco’s lead for Ireland’s Country Digital Acceleration programme, said: “Meeting people here on the island today really shows how their journey, as patients, has been fundamentally changed for the better.” He praised the HSE’s innovative approach and the Western Development Commission for the key roles they played.

A consortium of 10 European academic, clinical and enterprise partners led by University of Galway has been formed in a special project to test new treatments for rare eye diseases. In Europe, approximately 30 million people suffer from blindness and visual impairment. Rare Eye Diseases are a major cause that can result in blindness in children and young adults, and affect adults and the ageing population. Current management is expensive, has low efficacy, and significant side effects.  The consortium - RESTORE VISION - aims to address this clinical need by formulating novel treatments and repurposed drugs that have been validated in different disease indications.  The project will target seven rare eye diseases: aniridia-associated keratopathy; neurotrophic keratopathy; limbal stem cell deficiency; ocular cicatricial pemphigoid; EEC syndrome; ocular graft versus host disease; and corneal neovascularisation. By targeting the overlapping mechanisms of these seven different conditions, the probability of discovering new sight-restoring therapies to treat ocular surface diseases is greatly enhanced. Professor Thomas Ritter, Professor of Medicine at, the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway and Science Foundation Ireland Funded Investigator at CÚRAM, is leading the consortium. “Leading this consortium is a great honour as it brings together key players in Europe on rare eye diseases to advance the field and test novel and repurposed compounds directly with the patients who need them now. Using repurposed and previously validated compounds will expedite our progress, leading to the rapid development of novel therapeutics,” Professor Ritter said. Combined, the rare eye diseases being targeted through the RESTORE VISION consortium are estimated to affect more than 500,000 people, representing 1.7% of the total visual impairment and blindness population in Europe.  The project combines expertise from eye disease leaders with six leading research institutions - University of Galway; Linköping University, Sweden; Ospedale San Raffaele, Italy; Universidad Miguel Hernandez De Elche, Spain; INSERM, France; University Hospital Cologne, Germany. It also involves enterprise partners with three SMEs - Cell2Cure, Denmark; Laboratoires KÔL, France; Catalyze, the Netherlands. A European patient organisation is also partnering - Aniridia Europe, Norway. The ground-breaking approach being taken by the consortium seeks to improve eye health by verifying disease mechanisms, using cutting-edge models for each rare disease to test novel and repurposed compounds; formulating safe eye drop suspensions or subconjunctival drugs; and performing first-in-human trials of novel therapies.  Impaired wound healing at the cornea and ocular surface; excessive inflammation; nerve degeneration; stem cell dysfunction; and aberrant vessel ingrowth are the common denominators in many rare eye diseases, representing a critical medical problem and an area of unmet medical need.  Drugs that have been extensively tested in preclinical studies by the RESTORE VISION academic and pharma partners or treatments that are already on the market will be used in the project. This will significantly reduce the usually lengthy and complex regulatory and drug development processes ensuring rapid translation of these innovative treatments into the clinic. Professor Neil Lagali, Linköping University, Sweden is leading the provision of specialised research models of rare disease. He said: “This is an exciting time, as our models of rare corneal diseases have now reached a level of sophistication that allows us to reliably evaluate therapeutic compounds to determine their effects in restoring the cornea’s function, using standard outcome measures that will facilitate the transition into clinical trials.”   Aniridia Europe is a patient association that connects people with aniridia and their families all around Europe and promotes international collaboration on aniridia.  President Barbara Poli said: “We are honoured and happy to be part of this consortium, as we consider the possibility to create a link with the researchers and clinicians as a fundamental opportunity to bring the voice and the needs of patients to those who are dedicating their work and commitment in developing new knowledge on rare eye diseases, new treatment options and the hope for a better quality of life of all patients in all countries.”  Professor Conor Murphy, Key Opinion Leader and Professor of Ophthalmology at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, said: “RESTORE VISION is a unique and ambitious project which brings together experts from a range of specialist fields to expand our understanding of a group of rare, blinding diseases of the surface of the eye. New therapeutic approaches will be developed and expedited into patient care using existing EU regulatory frameworks enabling rapid access to newly discovered treatments.” Ends   Note for editors: HORIZON-HLTH-2022-DISEASE-06-04-two-stage Total Project Amount: €7,999,852 Allocated to University of Galway: € 1,003,836     ‌

Professor of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, and CÚRAM Funded Investigator John Laffey has been elected to the Royal Irish Academy for his exceptional contribution to science. A major translational research focus for Laffey is on cell therapies for ARDS and Sepsis, the major causes of death and disability in the critically ill. A clinician scientist in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine with research teams based at the CÚRAM Centre for Medical Devices at University of Galway and at the Keenan Centre for Biomedical Research at St Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Professor Laffey is also Director of Clinical Research at University of Galway’s School of Medicine and Galway University Hospitals. Election to membership of the Royal Irish Academy, established in 1785, is the highest academic distinction in Ireland. As a new member, Prof Laffey will support the RIA by engaging in activities that strengthen its international recognition and serve the public good through their knowledge and insight.

CÚRAM Scientific Director Professor Abhay Pandit part of the Irish delegation representing Ireland at the 18th National Conference on Health Economy which takes place in Rostock, Germany from today. Ireland has been selected as the partner country for this year’s event. The two day conference (Wednesday and Thursday) will be attended by over 700 national and international experts from the health industry. A trade exhibition will also run alongside the conference which will increase the visibility and awareness of Ireland’s offering in the industry. Professor Pandit will speak on the “Best Practice Partner Country Ireland” panel to highlight CURAM’s involvement in the Irish ecosystem and its EU programs as well as key industry collaborations. Prof Pandit will also take part in the panel discussion on "Strengthening Strategic Autonomy in the Industrial Healthcare Industry" which will explore the topic of R & D funding and life science location funding in Ireland. Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Neale Richmond, will be in attendance. Minister Richmond said: "I am delighted to attend this event as Ireland’s representative and meet with senior leaders across industry and Government to further strengthen our excellent relationship with Germany.” "Ireland’s reputation as a global location of excellence in medtech and next-gen biopharma products is a result of our continued investment in innovation. Investing in leading-edge healthcare and health technology drives economic performance, but more importantly it helps us to discover new innovations which can improve healthcare standards for our citizens, allowing people to live longer, healthier lives with more independence." Ireland is partner country to the conference this year, which presents a valuable opportunity to strengthen the development of the healthcare industry and to foster the relationship between Ireland and Germany. Since 2005, the conference has developed into one of the health industry’s most important annual meeting points, providing a platform for establishing and intensifying contacts between key industry representatives. The programme will include presentations from Ireland’s enterprise agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, along will panel discussions with representatives from Science Foundation Ireland, the Tyndall National Institute, and the Health Innovation Hub Ireland. The life sciences sector in Ireland contributes significantly to our economy, accounting for over €100 billion in exports and employing over 80,000 people in Ireland in activities ranging from manufacturing, R&D, supply chain and a variety of EMEA and global services. Germany is an important export market for Ireland’s medical and pharmaceutical products with our trading relationship growing all the time. In 2021, the total value of Ireland's trade with Germany was valued at €53 billion which marks a 155% increase in the 10 years since 2011. About CÚRAM CÚRAM, Ireland’s National Medical Device Research and Development Centre, has established itself as a global leader in the field, with committed funding of over €270 million. The primary objective of CÚRAM is to enhance the quality of life for individuals afflicted with chronic illnesses. To achieve this, the Centre's scientific program addresses significant issues, technical hurdles, and the existing limitations pertaining to medical device design and functionalization. CÚRAM's core focus revolves around the enhancement of existing devices, the development of convergent technologies for clinical solutions, and the facilitation of clinical translation. The Centre excels in its capacity to bring together specialized researchers, industry partners, and clinicians, thereby fostering collaborative networks that aim to develop solutions for global health challenges. CÚRAM's researchers concentrate on engineering strategies for repair and remodelling, advancements in drug delivery solutions, and the design of superior and smart medical implants to treat chronic diseases effectively. These diseases encompass a broad spectrum of conditions, including chronic and acute respiratory ailments, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, neurodegenerative and musculoskeletal conditions. With the intention of fostering fruitful collaborations, CÚRAM seeks to utilize this event as a platform to introduce and engage with policy, academic and industry partners from Germany. The primary objective is to explore collaborative opportunities for the creation and translation of medical devices that are ready for clinical implementation and prioritize the needs of patients. By forging partnerships with German entities, CÚRAM aims to leverage the collective expertise and resources of both nations to develop innovative medical solutions that can directly benefit individuals in need.

A conversation with Swansong Film’s Niamh Heery about the work she and Eric Dolan are doing with CÚRAM, Ardán, and the National Talent Academy Animation (NTAA) to bring scientific research to the screen via animations to make it more accessible.     About Swansong Films   Niamh founded Swansong Films in 2005 with Eric Dolan, where she works primarily as a documentary and drama film maker, but also as a youth and community work film maker. Eric has always jumped on board with her as a producer or to do VFX (visual effects) work on various projects where help is needed. They also come together to work as partners on work they are both interested in, for example the Science of Screen project – A Tiny Spark – in 2018 and the current 2022 / 2023 project.     Niamh & Eric’s background   Niamh originally studied media and communications in Tallaght , as well as a BA in Visual Arts Practice in IADT, and she then went on to complete her Master’s in Production and Direction in the Huston School of Film at the University of Galway. Eric’s background is in animation VFX (visual effects) and he’s worked with major production companies including Windmill Lane and Piranha Bar as well as high-end commercial and feature film work. Their collaboration works well, where on some productions Niamh can lead production and Eric can get into the ‘fun VFX and animation stuff’, then Niamh can lead on the documentary and drama projects she enjoys, and Eric supports with VFX.     Working with CÚRAM & Ardán   This is the second Science on Screen initiative that Swansong Film has worked on with CÚRAM and Ardán (previously known as Galway Film Centre.) Niamh had seen Alice McDowell and Mia Mullarkey’s work from 2017 – Feats of Modest Valour – so she and Eric applied for the commission in 2018.      Their successful commission in 2018 resulted in the animated production of A Tiny Spark.     Noting the success of that piece in festivals locally and internationally, Niamh could see firsthand the power of mixing science and creativity to reach audiences in a different way. Niamh spotted the 2022 competition, this time to create two short animations with CÚRAM, Ardán, and the NTA for Animation.     Adding narrative and visual metaphor to scientific research   The production of such a piece for Science on Screen draws on the creative strengths of filmmakers and combines it with key medical research that is being done to develop better new and medical devices.       Within the allocated budget, animation teams were asked to collaborate with CÚRAM researchers to create an animation that is a minimum of 40 seconds in length, that works for a public audience, which provides a platform to explain fundamental scientific concepts used to develop effective treatments for chronic illnesses.   The goal with the Science on Screen initiative is to give audiences the opportunity to gain a better understanding of these concepts, and also to provide a tool for scientists to engage with the public on the core concepts involved in their research and its relevance to future treatments.     The two animation projects: Pep Bucal & Stent Device   The first project aims to create a patch device to deliver drugs (macromolecules) across the cheek.   The second project aims to create a device that provides reliable access into the wall of the colon, specifically the submucosa, under the mucosal lining, for injection.     The question they asked themselves was, “How can we narrow this crazy world of science down to match a narrative?” The Swansong team looked at macro and micro systems, as well as at drone imagery and at ecosystems and how they are observed from a big aspect down into the smaller details.     The idea they started with was to be able to see things happening from above – inside the human body – and then how all these systems work together. In the end they chose a landscape version, and zoomed in on one person, and looked at what was the issue that was happening to them, and then zoomed further inside the body to see the science behind the issue, and what’s the medicine that can fix it.      With that simple concept, they were able then to structure a narrative with characters to make a very short animation – 50 seconds – one minute, moving from a wide shot of the landscape to a medium shot to see the person and issue, and then a closeup of the inner workings of the body and the medicine.      Preparation and production time   Preparation for production included writing a script and creating a mood board, and then completing a panel interview with key stakeholders from Ardán, the NTAA, and CÚRAM. From there, Niamh and Eric could delve further into the detail of the animations before getting into production mode.      Production was relatively smooth, as the Swansong team had a lot of the prep done beforehand, and with the aid of feedback from the researchers, the team could get the correct terminology finalised.      “Getting the voiceover right is key in a production like this as you only have 50-ish seconds in which to explain a difficult concept, so getting the script right for that was key.” This also included explaining to the researchers that the text couldn’t have a big paragraph of scientific research in there, it would need to be edited down to the bones of the idea to work well. Niamh noted that CÚRAM are very good with this process, as they have public engagement people on hand who can help to simplify the language.     Once the script was finalised, the Swansong team moved into preparing the story board, and once that was greenlit by all the collaborators, Niamh and Eric provided style frames (animation stills) of some of the characters and some of the medical devices, to show how the final look of the animation would be. The style frames allowed the researchers to visualise the final concept to give feedback pre-production.     What were the approximate number of hours spent on pre-production, production, and post? Pre-production and planning took about 20 hours, then actual production took approximately 250 hours, and post-production required about 40 hours of time to finalise the animations for public viewing.     Learnings from the 2018 process   What was a key insight that you took from working on a similar Science on Screen process back in 2018?   According to Niamh; “Speaking, listening, and communicating is key. You have to ask questions, and ask for lots of plain language explanations, then sit there and listen and take notes, because you’re not the expert, and if you do that at the beginning there are less mistakes to tidy up later on in the project, when it’s harder to do. Once you have that framework, CÚRAM are then very open to new approaches, and provide freedom to create.”     “The 2018 piece (A Tiny Spark) was documentary mixed with quite lyrical 2D animation, as it is quite abstract and difficult at times to play and portray the experience of someone having a stroke, so animation was great for that. But this time around it was very precise work to leave more room for the medical devices to be showcased.”     In 2018, the work was different, as they travelled to film festivals and had A Tiny Spark screened on RTÉ. This time around it has been more about creating pieces that are part of an overall project that can be shown as a tool at conferences to attract funding and push the devices into the market, as well as public engagement with what the device itself does.     Highlights from the experience   The organisation of the whole project was great, CÚRAM had the team of scientists on hand to help, including Professor David Brayden for the PEP BUCCAL Project from UCD, Dr Eoin O’Cearbhaill, for the Stent Coating Project from UCD, and Claire Riordan, the CÚRAM Education and Public Engagement Manager.     From a project management perspective, Kenny Gaughan and the team at Ardán was brilliant to help with all the contracts and documentation and generally being able to bounce ideas off each other in terms of managing the types of documentation that were needed for the whole project scope.    The NTAA (National Talent Academy Animation) mentorship with Pa Lynch as an advisor for filling out the audio and soundscape of animation was key, as that was a whole new world of work to learn. The NTAA is led by Deirdre Barry as Programme Director, with Joe Orr as Animation Course Coordinator.    Challenges of working in the film industry   Funding is always the main issue, according to Niamh, when working professionally in this industry. The process of applying for funding, waiting for decisions on funding applications, and managing that whole process is the time-consuming part a lot of the time. Where Eric is a freelancer, she noted, and can work on other projects and productions in VFX where he is in high-demand, Niamh focuses a lot of her in-between time managing the production itself from pre to post, and that is a full-time job in itself.     From ideation, to applying for funding, to producing the piece to all the work that comes after, it takes time. With the Science on Screen project, she noted, what was great was that as soon as the project idea was accepted by the teams involved, the funding and the process of work was already in place.     What’s next for Swansong Films? Niamh has a feature script in process right now – A Means to an End – an eco-drama about a small village in north rural Ireland that is fighting a fracking operation. They are waiting to see if that goes into further development. Again, it all depends on funding. Beyond that, Niamh continues to work on other smaller commissions and youth and community filmmaking projects which always inform her work.     Always juggling several projects – Niamh noted the only time you’ll be focussed on one project is when you are in production mode – otherwise you are always juggling some aspect of pre or post-production.     Overall, they found it a very positive experience working on Science on Screen. In Niamh’s words, with science and animation it is like two different places in the mind coming together to explain something.     “It’s fun, it’s challenging, but it’s cool to see a film pushing a scientific idea forward in its development.”  For more information on CURAM’s work, visit www.curamdevices.ie    To find out more about upcoming Science on Screen projects with CÚRAM and Ardán contact: kenny@ardan.ie