Press Releases

2024 Science on Screen Research Documentary commissioned by CÚRAM and Ardán to be made by Tiernan Williams and Maria O’Neill with Dr. Niamh Hynes  Scientific research thrives on a multi-disciplinary approach where combining knowledge from many fields deepens our understanding of many global health issues. Cardiovascular disease is one of these issues and will be the subject of ‘Counter Attack’, the 2024 Science on Screen Documentary commissioned by CÚRAM Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices at University of Galway and Ardán.   ‘Counter Attack’ – to be directed by Tiernan Williams and produced by Maria O’Neill of Cluster Fox Films – will look at the work of vascular surgeon, Dr. Niamh Hynes. In collaboration with teams in CÚRAM and internationally, Dr. Hynes focusses her research on the body’s largest artery – the aorta.  Dr. Hynes’ research looks at predicting when the aorta will rupture and, using AI and machine learning, the building of digital twins of aortas to understand the rupture process. Dr. Hynes, who likens her work to ‘plumbing’, is a funded investigator in CÚRAM where cardiovascular research is a key priority. Elevating the voice of the end-user – the patient – in research is becoming more and more crucial, and this documentary will also include the input of musician Frankie Lane, who recovered from a heart attack after three attempts at CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and defibrillation.   Cluster Fox Films will receive funding of €40,000 to make ‘Counter Attack’ which will commence production in October 2024 and will be launched in April 2025.   This is the ninth documentary produced as part of CÚRAM’s Science on Screen partnership with Ardán. Since Science on Screen began in 2016, the films have reached over 1.5 million viewers, with many TV broadcasts on RTÉ and TG4 and international festival screenings and awards.   The scheme was founded to explore the stories behind science and to facilitate, promote and increase the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production. Past recipients of the Science on Screen Documentary Commission have included Mia Mullarkey, Alice McDowell, James Ryan, Paul Webster, Anna and Hugh Rodgers, Zlata Filipovic, Ronan Cassidy, Luke Brabazon, Karen Coleman and Leeona Duff.  CÚRAM’s public engagement programme supports the strategic goal of ‘Science for Everyone’, to connect the Irish public and patients with its research and to inspire future generations on the value and importance of medical device research for society. “Our award-winning Science on Screen programme continues to demonstrate the impact of our research in the field of medical devices, and the significant contribution of public and patient involvement. Science on Screen has brought the stories of Irish research to a global audience, and we are excited to see where this film will go.” – Professor Abhay Pandit, Director of CÚRAM  “We’re thrilled to have been chosen for this year’s Science on Screen commission.  We look forward to collaborating closely with both Árdan and CÚRAM in creating an impactful story that will resonate with audiences.” – Maria O’ Neill and Tiernan Williams, Cluster Fox Pictures  “Ardán has collaborated with the team at CÚRAM for a decade now on the Science on Screen initiative, to facilitate more accessible STEM content in Irish media. This partnership has expanded in scope over the years, with award-winning documentaries and engaging, high-end animations being produced. This content has been a vital tool in teaching medical professionals, engaging with patients, applying for research funding, and increasing awareness in society around the important work undertaken by CÚRAM for the future of medicine. We have great expectations for this next Commission, an exciting new research documentary produced and directed by Maria O’Neill and Tiernan Williams and based on the research of Dr. Niamh Hynes.” – Alan Duggan – CEO at Ardán   Further Links:  Science on Screen trailer   Science on Screen Vimeo channel  #ScienceonScreenIreland  For more information on CÚRAM follow us on social media at:  Instagram: @curam_devices  Facebook: /CuramDevices  LinkedIn: /cúram—centre-for-research-in-medical-devices X: @CURAMdevices  For more info on Ardán, subscribe to the monthly newsletter and follow us on socials at @ardan_ie About Science on Screen  Science on Screen is a partnership project run by CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices funded through Research Ireland, (formerly Science Foundation Ireland) at University of Galway & Ardán. The partnership began in 2016 and aims to facilitate, promote and increase the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production through the production of documentary films that incorporate current research at CÚRAM and its partners. 

Prof Pádraig Cantillon-Murphy, Principal Investigator at CÚRAM, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork, Ireland and visiting faculty at IHU Strasbourg has been awarded ERC Proof of Concept funding for his Saor Track proposal. How would you describe what you do? I’d describe myself as a ‘reluctant researcher.’ I’d wanted to be a teacher ever since primary school, through secondary school and even when I got to third level. I love the concept of leading others into knowledge. The analogy I use is that knowledge is like ‘the rag that wipes the window clean’ so that others can see more clearly - so the transition to becoming a researcher was a natural one for me. I started with teaching basic undergraduate courses and now mentor PhD students. To be honest, it’s the PhD students and post-doctoral students that drive me to be as active as I am in my research. What is your research about? We are trying to make surgery better, for clinicians, patients and hospitals. The role of engineering has increased significantly in importance in this context over the last 15 years. Surgery is such a complex procedure, with multiple inputs and most surgeons use multiple screens and imaging techniques to help guide them. We’re working on image-guided surgery with magnetic navigation or tracking technology where line-of-sight is not available. It allows the surgeon to visualise all the tools and devices in the context of the patient on the table and provides highly accurate tracking of instruments, tools and cameras inside the patient. Magnetic tracking also reduces dependence on X-Rays or radiation imaging which were originally designed as a diagnostic tool but ended up as a tracking tool to locate the position of catheters and stents for example. Magnetic navigation is a much safer way to be able to track these devices and provides a better outcome for patients. How are you doing this? In our lab, we build small sensors and systems that detect their position. We can track their position inside a patient to within less than 1 mm or 1 degree of error and orientation. Wireless tracking already has broad applications in society, from goal-line technology to Lego robotics, and opens up a broad range of clinical applications where high-accuracy position navigation is currently not feasible. High-accuracy, wireless tracking can transform existing clinical applications of magnetic tracking such as electrophysiology (EP) mapping of the beating heart by dramatically reducing wire clutter in the OR, and simplifying the clinical workflow. We have focussed on solving technical problems like the cost of sensors - in the past, the technology was so expensive, it was limited to high-value procedures in cardiology and neurology leaving it less likely to benefit many patients. What difference will this project make? This ERC proof of concept funding will allow us to focus specifically on applying this  technology to colonoscopies. ‘Camera in capsules’ is a technology that’s been around for the last 20 years, but has not really been adopted by hospitals because you can’t guarantee that something won't be missed. Even though the camera technology has greatly improved, it still requires someone to review long hours of footage. Now AI can help with this problem, but the issue is that even when a problem is identified, we have no idea of its location. Our proposal is to use magnetic navigation to track the camera capsule, so that for every timepoint of footage we know its exact location. This provides an added layer of assurance and confidence for clinicians and patients.  Why is this important? The EU has a major challenge with gastrointestinal diseases such as colon cancer, which is placing a significant burden on European healthcare systems as populations age. Our technology, ‘Saor Track’, will use wireless position navigation design integrated with existing camera solutions to provide highly accurate localisation of abnormalities within the colon, resulting in more precise and faster diagnosis. This project builds on ground-breaking innovations from our previous ERC Deep Field project, allowing us to demonstrate the feasibility of high-accuracy position navigation in capsule endoscopy for the first time. This work represents the culmination of 10 years of research in magnetic navigation at Tyndall and UCC. How important is collaboration with other disciplines? Collaboration has been key to this project and CÚRAM the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices has been central to building networks and relationships between researchers, industry and clinicians. I worked closely with Ronan Cahill, Chair of Surgery at the Mater in UCD on a number of projects. It  allows us to translate the research from the laboratory to the clinical setting where its needed. We have a very exciting runway for this project. The team is very passionate about democratising healthcare. What we want to achieve is genuinely cost effective accessible healthcare that enables people of all means to benefit from a diagnosis. What changes have you seen in Ireland’s research environment in recent years? This project and these type of collaborations are enabling a new generation of Irish-trained innovators and entrepreneurs to see that this type of technology can be both created and manufactured in Ireland. We already have a start-up company coming out of the laboratory building around this work. We have gotten much better at translating the research from bench to bedside in Ireland. Government investment and the development of cohesive structures in the university sector has helped the research community to feel that these types of studies can be done here rather than having to go abroad any longer.

CÚRAM Research Centre for Medical Devices, funded through Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland at University of Galway, is now enrolling for its Teachers in Residence Programme 2024-2025. Now in its ninth year, the initiative is designed to foster science education by bridging the gap between scientific research and the classroom at both primary and secondary school level. The programme incorporates researchers from four additional Research Centres across Ireland: APC Microbiome Ireland Research Centre; BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre; FutureNeuro Research Centre for Neurological Diseases; and SSPC Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals, all funded through Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland. Available for five primary and five secondary school teachers, the programme will run as a series of ten, one-hour online sessions between October 2024 and March 2025. 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: “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 2024-2025 visit: https://forms.office.com/e/N5UDZAwhJB You can explore and download lesson plan kits developed by previous years’ teachers (including Irish language versions), at https://curamdevicesengage.ie/teachers-in-residence/. Deadline for applications is Friday, 30th September 2024.

Dr Catalina Vallejo Giraldo has just been awarded a European Research Council (ERC) Starting grant worth €1.5 million to further her research on cancers of the brain, a major global health problem with limited treatment options. ERC starting grants are awarded to talented early-career scientists who are embarking on independent work and show clear potential to be a research leader. Dr Vallejo’s PhD training under Dr Manus Biggs at CÚRAM Research Centre for Medical Devices, funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland at University of Galway, and subsequent postdoctoral work, have given her the experience of interacting with and leading multidisciplinary teams that involve members from academia (Antioquia School of Engineering, Colombia, Imperial College London, UK, Cardiff Univ., UK and University of Galway, Ireland), industry (Neurent Medical, Ireland) and the clinic (Mayo Clinic, USA) Dr Vallejo’s research combines biomaterials, brain mechanobiology and medicine to develop new targeted therapies. She is currently investigating cell-cell interactions in the brain and how they are influenced by the interplay within the cell environment as well altering the signals in the brain that manipulate cell fate. This research has the potential to develop and improve neuro-oncology therapies. The ERC funding will allow Dr Vallejo to focus on the development of a new cancer therapy using a soft gel that contains a cancer fighting drug and is patterned with narrow channels to encourage the entry of cancer cells. Once inside, the cancer cells become trapped and compressed, disrupting their DNA repair mechanisms and rendering them susceptible to damage. This approach will improve drug-radiation effectiveness and allow localised therapy of brain cancer. “Available drugs are only partially effective, and they work by damaging cancer cell DNA in combination with radiotherapy. In response, cancer cells ramp-up DNA repair processes, rendering these treatments largely ineffective. Mechanical deformation of the nucleus may transiently render cells highly susceptible to DNA damage and may represent a powerful adjunct approach for the treatment of brain tumours, where resistance to conventional DNA-targeting therapies is a significant contributor to therapy failure”, she explains. “I am exceptionally fortunate to have found great support from collaborators and mentors around the globe, as well as from the university, CÚRAM, the different research centres, and my current Biomedical Engineering discipline. I am particularly grateful to Dr Manus Biggs for his continued support.” Dr Vallejo’s PhD mentor at CÚRAM, Dr Manus Biggs, commented on the award saying; “The research that Dr Vallejo will carry out with the support of this grant builds upon her previous work on neural biomaterials. Her findings have revealed a crucial necessity to expand upon our current understanding of the fundamentals of the mechanobiology of neural cells to develop novel biomaterials platforms that will expediate clinical translation pathways. I’m extremely proud of what she has been able to accomplish and look forward to Catalina making a significant impact with her future work.” Prof Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director of CÚRAM, said ‘We are immensely proud of Dr Vallejo and all of our graduates and their accomplishments in both academia and industry. CÚRAM provides high-quality training opportunities that is of great importance to the medtech talent pipeline, and our graduates are adding significantly to Ireland's research environment. The interdisciplinary nature of Dr Vallejo’s work  is  an excellent example of how CÚRAM works to foster collaboration and excellence in research.” Over the past 10 years, CÚRAM has emerged as a global leader in medical device research, revolutionizing healthcare and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, patients and healthcare professionals. CÚRAM is committed to enhancing 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. With committed funding of over €270 million, CÚRAM excels in its capacity to foster collaborative networks that aim to develop solutions for global health challenges.

Strengthening Ireland's medtech research and innovation ecosystem €25 million has been directed into training and development to strengthen Ireland's medtech research and innovation ecosystem through CÚRAM, the Research Centre for Medical Devices funded through Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland at the University of Galway, in its first ten years.  The investment has derived from the European Union Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Co-Fund training programmes which foster interdisciplinary collaboration and talent development to propel Ireland to the forefront of global innovation. Seventy-five researchers will join Ireland's research and innovation ecosystem as part of the latest MSCA Co-Fund projects in 2024. The elite fellows will avail of tailor-made advanced training and industry secondments in medical device research and development, enhancing Ireland's expertise in this critical field. The co-funds leverage previous Irish investment in the Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland funded CÚRAM Research Centre for Medical Devices and demonstrate the multidisciplinary strengths of the centre. This cohort of researchers is in addition to more than 1000 researchers who have graduated from postgraduate and postdoctoral training through other CÚRAM programmes. Professor Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director of CÚRAM, said: “These co-funded programmes, in offering high-quality training that is of great importance to the talent pipeline, are adding significantly to Ireland's research infrastructure. The interdisciplinarity and the partnership approach that have been embedded in the programmes are an excellent example of how CÚRAM works. Through these programmes, which will provide a fantastic experience for 75 researchers across CÚRAM, we are continuing to build on investment made over the last decade to strengthen our long-term impact in the medtech fields." These awards follow from the original CÚRAM MedTrain co-fund programme awarded €3.7m in 2016, which graduated 33 fellows, 50% of whom remained in academia, 36% took up positions in industry, and 14% moved on to other positions in the field. Research outputs from the fellowships resulted in the publication of 62 journal papers, three spinouts and 11 IDFs. Eoghan Ó Faoláin, Director of Irish Medtech, commented: "Ireland is one of the top employers of medtech professionals in Europe thanks to our rich talent pool of third-level graduates and dynamic supports for upskilling. CÚRAM's training programmes are a valuable component in our drive to create diverse and best-in-class talent to enable the future success and competitiveness of medtech in Ireland. MedTrain+ and MedDevDoc, by fostering collaboration between the higher education and the medtech industry, will continue to develop the workforce with the skill areas most in demand now and in the future." Professor Pandit commented: "CÚRAM has had some excellent successes since its establishment with securing EU funding for cutting-edge research projects, and we are particularly proud of achieving the top ranking in this funding round. At CÚRAM, we work closely with academics, industry and clinicians, and this programme will only further enhance those networks across Europe and internationally which are critical for driving medical device research and development."  About MSCA Co-Fund mechanism The MSCA Co-Fund mechanism is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the European Union's reference programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training. The programme is named after scientist Marie Curie, who was the first person to twice claim Nobel prizes, discovering radioactivity and advancing x-ray technology. Actions fund excellent research and innovation and equip researchers at all stages of their career with new knowledge and skills, through mobility across borders and exposure to different sectors and disciplines. The MSCA help build Europe's capacity for research and innovation by investing in the long-term careers of excellent researchers.  Information on current open calls can be found at https://curamdevices.ie/curam/research/eu-projects/medtrain/ About CÚRAM CÚRAM Research Centre for Medical Devices, funded through Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, marks a decade of ground-breaking research and innovation. Over the past 10 years, CÚRAM has emerged as a global leader in medical device research, revolutionizing healthcare and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, patients and healthcare professionals. CÚRAM is committed to enhancing 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. With committed funding of over €270 million, CÚRAM excels in its capacity to foster collaborative networks that aim to develop solutions for global health challenges. For more visit curamdevices.ie MedTrain+ and MedDevDoc, under the MSCA Co-Fund scheme, will deliver high-quality tailor-made training for fellows to equip them with the skills and experience required to meet their career goals as well as facilitate their engagement with industry through non-academic secondment partnerships. Fellows will be based at one of ten CÚRAM academic organisations:  University of Galway (Galway), University College Cork (UCC), University College Dublin (UCD), the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University of Limerick (UL), Dublin City University (DCU), National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), Technological University Dublin (TUD)and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).

CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices based at University of Galway has appointed Dr Vincent Ling to its Scientific Advisory Board which provides strategic guidance to the Centre on development and sustainability. Dr Ling is Chief Business Officer at Morphocell, a biomedical engineering start-up company developing regenerative technologies for the treatment of liver disease. For over 30 years, Dr Ling has led successful research and business innovation groups in diverse biotechnology fields, including cell devices, protein engineering, biosimilars, stem cell differentiation, checkpoint inhibitors, and the molecular evolution of antibody scaffolds. He has held leadership positions in large, midsized, and start-up environments, creating practical biotherapeutics. Speaking on his appointment, Dr Ling said ‘I am very much looking forward to the journey ahead with CÚRAM. What I hope to see in the years ahead is for the Centre to become a major force in the medical device industry where they can bring a new type of technology that can impact patients worldwide.’ Dr Ling recently stepped down as Senior Director within Search and Evaluation, Business Development at Takeda after directorship roles in external innovation and pharmaceutical sciences. His current interests lie in novel drug delivery technologies, including drug particles, energy guidance, and biomaterial scaffolds. In his new appointment as Chief Business Officer at Morphocell, he represents the company in the Boston BioPharma ecosystem. Commenting on the appointment of Dr Ling, Prof Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director of CÚRAM said; ‘We have had the opportunity to get to know Dr Ling over the past two years through his role at Takeda and are delighted to welcome him onboard. We are honoured to have  him join us and will benefit hugely from the range and depth of his experience in industry and academia.’ Prior to Takeda, Dr Ling was Head of Biological Sciences, developing cell therapies for wet AMD at Neurotech.  He has held positions including Vice President at Dragonfly Sciences, managing all scientific operations and marketing functions, Director of Molecular Genetics at Adnexus (Compound Therapeutics), and other scientific roles in Discovery Research at Genetics Institute and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.  CÚRAM’s research provides innovative solutions that enable better quality of life for patients living with chronic illnesses. Its Advisory Boards include independent figures from academia, business and the public sector who provide impartial scientific and technical guidance and ensure that the strategic vision for the Centre is constantly reviewed with appropriate international input and benchmarking. The Centre recently celebrated its 10th year of operation with the publication of a report that puts its value to the Irish economy  at €756 million over that time, delivering a 12-fold return on Government investment. ENDS

Research Lives Article: Niamh Hynes, vascular surgeon and post-doctoral researcher, University of Galway This article by Dr Claire O’Connell originally appeared in the Irish Times on 8th August 2024. What does a vascular surgeon do? I use the analogy that we are like plumbers. We look after the pipes, the blood vessels everywhere in your body except your heart and your brain. If these pipes develop a blockage through plaque build-up or a clot, or if they burst because of a weakness in the vessel wall, that can cause big problems. We can help by intervening with surgery or what’s called “endovascular surgery”, such as inserting a stent into the blood vessel. What kind of research are you involved in? My research mainly focuses on the aorta, the largest artery in the body. If part of the aorta becomes dilated, it is at risk of rupturing, which is a lethal condition and medical emergency. I’m looking to develop better ways of predicting when a person’s aorta is likely to rupture. How does your approach differ from current methods? At the moment we assess the risk of rupture by measuring the diameter of the aorta. That’s like measuring the size of the balloon as we blow it up and trying to gauge at what size it will burst. But I see the problem more like trying to figure out when a riverbed might crumble. The wall of the aorta, the riverbed, is under stress from blood flow that constantly thrashes against the vessel wall. We need to predict when the strain on the aortic wall will be overcome by the stress of the repeated injury from the blood flow. How do you do that through your research? We examine biopsies of aortic tissues harvested during surgery to learn more about how the tissue behaves under various conditions see what kinds of genes are being expressed and how this correlates with the biomechanical function of the tissue. We are also using AI and machine learning and building digital twins to see can we better predict when a patient’s aorta is likely to rupture. What’s a digital twin? It’s where we bring lots of key data about an individual patient, such as aortic wall strength, blood flow rate, blood pressure etc into a computer simulation model and use that “digital twin” to help us figure out what the best treatment options might be and how to design the next generation of aortic stent grafts and therapies. What do you wish more people knew about clinical research? I think it’s that no man or woman is an island, that we need multidisciplinary teams with lots of different experts. The research I do involves mathematicians, computer scientists, bioengineers, physicists, anatomists, physiologists, biochemists and medical devices companies. In addition to my clinical work at Galway Clinic, I work with experts in the University of Galway, Europe and the USA — including at Yale, MIT, Milan, Italy, Teltow Germany, Aarhus Denmark and also at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, where I did my aortic fellowship training. We also work closely with industry partners. What trends have you seen in medical device research in Ireland in recent years? Ireland is known internationally as being one of the world leaders in research and development of medical devices and pharma. In the last decade or so we have seen a lot of public investment into research in those areas. I work with two Science Foundation Ireland centres, CÚRAM and Insight, that create environments where experts can collaborate, build networks and engage meaningfully with Industry partners. That’s really important. How do you like to use your time away from work? Living by the sea in Galway lends itself to great walks and lovely coastal drives. I am also lucky to be able to spend time with friends in some of the great restaurants we have nearby. But in truth, my favourite pastime has to be shopping for fashion! See original article at https://www.irishtimes.com/science/2024/08/08/digital-twins-for-the-win-with-aortas/

What If We Could Swallow Medicines Instead of Needing Painful Injections? is the title of a new paper published by the scientific journal ‘Frontiers for Young Minds’ by researchers at CÚRAM, the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre for Medical Devices. ‘Frontiers for Young Minds’  makes cutting-edge research available and accessible to young audiences by bringing  young people and researchers together to develop articles that tell readers about the creative and exciting advances in research that will have an impact on how we live. The journal’s website states that; ‘Distinguished scientists are invited to write about their discoveries in a language that is accessible for young readers, and it is then up to the kids themselves – with the help of a science mentor – to provide feedback and explain to the authors how to best improve the articles before publication.’ Professor David Brayden, Co-Director of CÚRAM and Professor of Advanced Drug Delivery at the University College Dublin (UCD) School of Veterinary Medicine and UCD Conway Institute is the lead author of the paper. “Our lab team has published many drug delivery papers in numerous scientific journals, but I was really interested in learning from these young editors about how to write for them and hear what they understood to be important about our research. CÚRAM has a really strong focus on making our research available and accessible to everyone and collaborating with our audience to create articles like this is a great way to do that. That’s why the collaboration with CURAM’s Education and Public Engagement team was key to the project’ Junior editors on the paper were 10 year old Maliyah, 15 year old Kaylah and 15 year old Dakyung.  The article explores Prof Brayden’s research that focuses on finding alternative ways of  delivering medicines like insulin to the body, so that they could be swallowed, for example, instead of being injected. Professor Brayden has also worked with animators to create a one minute overview of this aspect of his team’s research which is available here. The Frontiers for Young Minds website is collection of freely available peer-reviewed scientific articles that explain current, cutting edge research, drafted by leading scientists, but edited and shaped for younger audiences by children and teenagers. It has been named a  ‘Great Website for Kids’ by the American Library Association’ since 2014.  CÚRAM’s public engagement programme supports SFI’s strategic goal of ‘Science for Everyone’, to connect the Irish public and patients with its research and to inspire future generations on the value and importance of medical device research for society. Co-authors on the paper were Dr Sarah Gundy and Claire Riordan from CÚRAM’s public engagement team and illustrations were developed by scientific illustrator Maciek Doczyk. Further information is available at www.curamdevices.ie

 University of Galway-hosted centre celebrates 10 years of significant economic impact for Ireland    Benefits to the medtech sector include collaborative projects with 47 innovative companies and 2,547 jobs supported   Tuesday June 18, 2024: CÚRAM, the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) research centre for medical devices based at the University of Galway, today launched an economic report that puts its value to the Irish economy at €756 million, building on 10 years of public investment. CÚRAM was established in 2015 with an initial commitment of Government investment of €64.8 million through Science Foundation Ireland. Economic impact analysis carried out by Mazars shows that investment in CÚRAM, to the end of 2023, has led to direct spending of €210 million in the Irish economy and the generation of a further €546 million in economic activity in Ireland - putting its economic value at €756 million and a more than 12-fold return on government funding. CÚRAM has helped to expand Ireland’s attractiveness as a global hub for the medtech sector - one of only a handful of locations in the world - by establishing partnerships and by fully funding or co-funding collaborative projects with 47 innovative companies in the sector. Investment in CÚRAM has also supported a total of 2,547 jobs in the Irish economy. In addition, more than €80 million of EU grant funding has been committed to research projects at CÚRAM. Welcoming the report, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., said: “I congratulate CÚRAM for its significant impact on the Irish economy and society. This report demonstrates the importance of the Government’s policy of continuing to invest in research and innovation and supporting excellence and scale through the world-leading SFI Research Centre Network, in areas of strategic national importance. CÚRAM provides innovative solutions for industry and society, which enable better quality of life for patients. As our population ages, this is helping us to create a better tomorrow for all citizens.” Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President of University of Galway, said: “I would like to congratulate CÚRAM as they mark ten impactful years of research. The centre epitomises what it means to be for the public good. The real value of CÚRAM remains its people and its key strength lies in building collaborations and networks that generate impactful research.” Siobhan Roche, Director of Science for the Economy at Science Foundation Ireland, joined in the celebration of the Centre’s success, said: “CÚRAM has a strong track record of generating high quality research and training the next generation of medical device researchers. The Centre’s deep commitment to education and public engagement is not only inspiring younger generations to pursue a career in STEM but is also promoting new approaches in the management of chronic illness. Amplifying its impact, CÚRAM has attracted over €225.7 million in additional investment from industry and EU sources, further highlighting the value of publicly funded research to the Irish taxpayer.” CÚRAM Director, Professor Abhay Pandit, said: “Addressing chronic disease to support healthy aging is one of the most pressing public health and economic challenges of our time. Our research programme is developing solutions to help us all live well as we age, with conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and neurological disorders.” CÚRAM has a further three years of operation left in its current Government funding period to build even further on its impact. By connecting the patient voice with the combined expertise and technologies of Ireland’s leading scientists, clinicians and engineers from 10 universities, alongside international industry partners, the Centre ensures that its research is shaped and guided by the invaluable perspectives of people with lived experience of chronic illness. Eoghan Ó Faoláin, Director of Irish MedTech: “Ireland is one of the top employers of MedTech professionals in Europe and it is in no small part due to our rich talent pool of third level graduates and dynamic supports for upskilling. By fostering collaboration between higher education and MedTech industry, CÚRAM’s training programmes equip the workforce with the skills most in demand now and into the future. These programmes are an incredibly valuable component of Ireland’s drive to develop the diverse and best in class talent needed to support the future success and competitiveness of the global MedTech hub in Ireland.”   Ends Media queries to pressoffice@universityofgalway.ie Further information: · Over 1,000 researchers have worked in CÚRAM SFI Research laboratories. Currently 303 researchers, collaborators and research support staff are working in CÚRAM. · CÚRAM has funded 87 academic leads across 11 partner institutes. · CÚRAM has a gender balance of 52.5% male, 47.5% female across all staff, who come from 70 countries. Of the 1169 staff that have come through CÚRAM, 47% are Irish and 53% non-Irish. · The Centre has generated over 1,357 Original Data Publications, 397 Review Articles and 256 Refereed Conference Publications that have contributed to the advancement of knowledge in medical devices. · The Centre has seen numerous scientific breakthroughs that contribute a significant advance in knowledge for treating clinical needs. Examples include mapping the spatiotemporal expression of the human glycome in PD and intervertebral discs, developing a hydrogel for hard to heal wounds and breakthrough delivery of therapeutics for respiratory disease. · CÚRAM has collaborated with more than 47 companies, from project-based engagements to multi-year, multi-site research programmes · CÚRAM has created an award-winning public engagement programme that has built relationships with local and national communities and reached audiences of more than 2 million people through film, art public exhibits. · Over 400 teachers have taken part in CÚRAM’s Teachers in Residence programme that supports both primary and secondary school teachers in science education. The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between scientific research and the classroom to foster science education.   About CÚRAM The CÚRAM SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices is led by University of Galway, and its partner institutes include; University College Cork (UCC), University College Dublin (UCD), the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University of Limerick (UL), Dublin City University (DCU), National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT),  Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin). CÚRAM specialises in research in the creation and translation of clinic-ready and patient focused medical devices to improve quality of life for patients living with chronic diseases. has emerged as a global leader in medical device research, revolutionising healthcare and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, patients and healthcare professionals. It is committed to enhancing 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. With a committed funding of over €270 million, CÚRAM excels in its capacity to foster collaborative networks that aim to develop solutions for global health challenges. For more visit www.curamdevices.ie

Ardán, CÚRAM, the SFI research Centre for Medical Devices and National Talent Academy for Animation are delighted to launch the latest round of four animations created for the Science on Screen scheme, which aims to facilitate, promote and increase the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production.  The goal with the animations was to create short videos which can communicate complex ideas in an easy-to-understand way for public and patient audiences, each based on a project being developed by CÚRAM researchers based at University of Galway, University of Limerick and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.   The projects included solutions for: inflammatory bowel disease; a new type of biodegradable coating for urinary stents; adhesion films being developed to mimic adhesive properties found  in nature; and targeted deep brain stimulation for neurological disorders .   After an application process, Brosna O’Donovan (Mighty Grays Studio) and Chris Tierney (Earthbound Films) were chosen to each make 2 of the animation projects.  The animators met with the researchers behind each project for a consultation on style, story and aesthetics for the animations, before the animators began the process of creating the 1-minute-long videos. Throughout the feedback the researchers engaged with the animators to relay feedback.  The animations will be added to the existing documentaries and animations created as a part of the Science on Screen scheme, as well as being added to the SUPERHUMAN exhibit in the Galway City Museum which celebrates collaboration, creativity and innovation in medical technology (medtech) research in Ireland.  The launch will take place on Wednesday 26th June at 12.30pm in Galway City Museum. Each animation will be introduced by the researchers behind the project and the animators who created them. All are welcome to the launch.   Spaces are limited and tickets are available through this link.    More information can be got from Claire Riordan (CÚRAM) and Kenny Gaughan (Ardán). 

Aim of research is to improve efficacy of new therapies to treat this chronic condition  Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers (sores) in the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis affects the innermost lining of the large intestine, also called the colon and rectum. At least 40,000 people are living with IBD in Ireland, and over 5 million globally. In a new paper recently published in Computers in Biology and Medicine, researchers from CÚRAM at the University of Galway and collaborators at the University of Birmingham present a novel computational model simulating shear stress distribution in the colon with varying mucus thicknesses. The colon, a vital part of our digestive system, relies on rhythmic contractions to move waste. These movements create mechanical forces on the colon's mucus-lined surface. This mucus acts as a protective barrier, separating the inside of our body from the trillions of microbes in our gut. The research team's computational model uses real-world data on these movements, mucus behaviour and tissue characteristics to simulate the dynamic environment. Their study reveals how the mucus layer acts as a lubricant, significantly increasing faecal velocity and easing waste movement through the colon. This effect is diminished in UC, where the mucus layer is thinner, potentially contributing to constipation. The model highlights the protective function of mucus, shielding the thin cell layer that performs the colonic processes from the mechanical forces. When the research team, led by Dr Yury Rochev, School of Physics, University of Galway, investigated the mechanical distribution in the cell layer, they found that shear stress varies along the various functional zones, suggesting a potential role in regulating cell migration, differentiation, and immune responses. However, when this protection is compromised, such as in the UC, it could contribute to inflammation and tissue damage. Dr Rochev said; "Our model demonstrates that mucus acts as a lubricant, significantly increasing faecal velocity and easing waste movement through the colon. This effect is diminished in ulcerative colitis (UC), where the mucus layer thins, potentially contributing to constipation." The model's revelations do not stop there. It also highlights the protective function of mucus, shielding the delicate cells responsible for essential colonic processes from the mechanical forces generated by bowel movements. Dr Rochev added: "When we investigated the mechanical distribution in the cell layer, we found that shear stress varies along the different functional zones, suggesting a potential role in regulating cell migration, differentiation, and immune responses. When this protection is compromised, as in UC, it could contribute to inflammation and tissue damage." The team is not relying solely on computer simulations. They are developing an experimental model using "organ-on-a-chip" technology to validate their findings. Ibrahim Erbay, a researcher on the team, said: "We are using intestinal organoids to create a replica of the thin cell layer at the colonic surface. By actively flowing fluid with the organ-on-a-chip platform, we can simulate the mechanical forces similar to those experienced in the colon." By combining computational modelling with robust experimental validation, the researchers aim to gain a comprehensive understanding of how mechanical forces influence biological events in both health and disease. This holistic approach promises to improve our understanding of gut health and pave the way for new, targeted therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases and other digestive disorders. Researcher Ibrahim Erbay added: "This research not only enhances our understanding of basic colon function at the cellular level, but also offers a powerful tool for developing new therapeutic approaches. We can now model various drug delivery systems and optimize them, potentially leading to more effective treatments for gut-related conditions." See the full paper here- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108540 Ends

In Ireland, there are approximately 10,000 individuals living with multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common neurological disease to affect young adults in Ireland. Dr Una FitzGerald, principal investigator of the Multiple Sclerosis Research Lab and an investigator at CÚRAM, leads a consortium of researchers across Europe to develop a novel device and treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS), a devastating neurological disease. MS disease has two phases: an early ‘relapsing remitting’ phase, during which patients undergo impairment such as double vision or limb weakness, followed by symptom dissipation for a period; and ‘progressive MS’, which is degenerative and patients report much-reduced mobility, increased fatigue and cognitive challenges. These symptoms often impair quality of life significantly, and in some cases lead to an inability to continue in full-time employment, or work at all. Compared to the early phase of MS, for which there are about 20 different drugs, there are very few treatment options (2 or 3), which are approved for treating the later progressive and degenerative phase. Moreover, these may be suitable for only subset of people with MS. This is why FitzGerald believes it is imperative to continue to do basic research, to understand why late-stage disease presents so many challenges, and to develop new treatment methods and medical devices to help improve quality of life for all people living with MS, or caring for individuals with MS.   What in your mind are the biggest advances made in MS research in recent years? The research that probably had the most attention at media outlets, was one that provided the best proof so far, that Epstein Barr virus (EBV), the virus that causes glandular fever, can in some individuals, cause them to develop MS. An epidemiological study was done by Kjetil Bjornevik and colleagues in Harvard, on 10 million subjects who had been in the US military.  People who were found to have had a higher level of antibodies to EBV were 32 times more likely to go on to develop MS (see https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35025605/).  This is intriguing, since 85% of the general population have antibodies to EBV, but 85% don’t end up with MS. EBV has been a theme in MS research for decades, and this is the strongest evidence so far that it can, in some individuals, contribute in part to the development of MS.  For researchers working at the bench, the advances in ‘omics’ technologies (transciptomics, proteomics, metabolomic, glycomics) are shedding new light on the biology underpinning MS disease course. For example, in 2018, researchers in Sweden Scotland and Australia, did RNA sequencing on samples of individual cells taken from post-mortem MS tissue and they proved that the demyelinated areas of the brain had many different sub-types of oligodendrocyte lineage cells, some of which seemed to be turning on genes normally associated with the immune response (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30420755/). This is one example of research that shows that the biology underpinning MS pathology is much more complex than we imagined. A better understanding of this should help to identify novel therapeutic targets.   What are the big questions that are still outstanding? Why do different people experience different forms of MS? Is the categorisation of pwMS into different types useful? How can medical devices be exploited to optimise drug delivering across the blood-brain barrier in late-stage MS, when the barrier between the brain and the rest of the body is particularly impermeable? How quickly can we develop better lab-based models of MS, so that more effective treatments can be developed? What home-monitoring medical devices could be useful in confirming that a person is about to have a relapse or that they are responding as predicted to a disease-modifying drug?   How important do you think it is for people with MS to be involved in your research? Involving patients with MS in our research has been extremely valuable.  In preparation for an ongoing biomarker study, we asked for feedback from patients with MS on a draft application for ethical approval to carry out the proposed MS biomarker research project.  The idea is to use rapid assay technologies to identify molecules within different body fluids, particularly saliva, that could be linked to ongoing disease or to responses to disease-modifying drugs.  We believe that this could help to improve the clinical management of MS. Once the research project was started, the same individuals helped us to improve the protocols used when study subjects came on-campus to donate samples. They also advised on how much time we should allow for individuals to travel to campus and to participate in our research. Another important reason for involving patients with MS in our research, is that they help us to better understand what living with MS is like, which is highly motivating and inspiring when trying to come up with ideas for the next research topic.   What motivates you most in your work? The desire to better understand the biology underpinning MS pathology and to use this knowledge to inform new ways of monitoring and mitigating MS. Training future MS research leaders is also imperative, which is why I’m delighted to be working with the students who work is highlighted in the videos below.   Hear about the research projects underway in the MS Research Group; Bianca Castelli- https://vimeo.com/951549524 Daniela Costa- https://vimeo.com/951549933 Shima Shapoori- https://vimeo.com/951550223 Paola Serrano- https://vimeo.com/951550447 Malgorzata Dabrowska- https://vimeo.com/951550674  

Professor David Brayden and Professor Caitriona O’Driscoll are two of the 28 newly elected members officially admitted to the Academy recently, for their exceptional contributions to the sciences, humanities and social sciences, as well as to public service. David Brayden is Professor of Advanced Drug Delivery at University College, Dublin, He has an international reputation in developing oral formulations of peptides. His recent research focuses on examining how to use nanoparticle technology to deliver drugs to different sites in the body. He is the coordinator of the EU Horizon Europe consortium BUCCAL-PEP and chief editor of Frontiers in Drug Delivery.   Caitriona O’Driscoll is professor and Chair of the Pharmaceutics in the School of Pharmacy, University College Cork and director of Future Medicines, a research initiative. Originally a pharmacist, she has over 30-years’ experience is a drug delivery scientist. She has over 140 publications, and her research is focused on the design of RNA therapeutics for non-infectious diseases. She is coordinator of the €5.4m Horizon Europe funded GENE-GUT project (2022-26). Professor Pat Guiry, President of the Royal Irish Academy, said: “Ireland should be immensely proud of these 28 women and men who have been elected by their peers and have brought international acclaim to our country through their distinct areas of research. As Members of the Royal Irish Academy they will support and strengthen our capacity to achieve our strategic goals and objectives as we look to the launch of our Strategic Plan 2024-2028 in the coming weeks.” Election to membership of the Royal Irish Academy, established in 1785, is the highest academic distinction in Ireland. As new members, Profs Brayden and O’Driscoll will support the RIA by engaging in activities that strengthen its international recognition and serve the public good through their knowledge and insight.  

Prof Martin O’Halloran, University of Galway and Cúram This article was written by Claire O'Connell and first appeared in the Irish Times on Thu May 9 2024 You work on lots of different projects – what is the general theme? My research is very much needs led. It’s about solving problems in the clinic. I spend time with doctors, nurses, other healthcare workers and patients and looking at how things work. Then we do research to solve the kinds of issues they are facing and to improve efficiencies. Can you give us some examples? One is about hair loss during chemotherapy, which can be really upsetting and traumatic for patients. We developed a technology that applies compression to the scalp so that the cancer drugs don’t access the fast-growing hair follicles and damage them. It’s simple science but it’s important. That technology has been spun out into a company and is in trials at the moment. I am also working on a European Research Council-funded project on osteoarthritis, where the challenge is that patients are living for decades with chronic pain. Medications can be injected into a joint – in this case, the knee – but they only relieve the pain for a few months. So we are developing a hydrogel that can be injected into the knee where it delivers a pain blocker slowly over time, so it is both effective and longer lasting. What’s the key to spotting those kinds of solutions to problems? You have to spend time with people, ask questions and listen. It’s like learning a language. If I want to learn French, a good place to do that is in France. So our Translational Medical Device Lab is embedded in University College Hospital Galway and co-located with the HRB Clinical Research Facility. This means I am surrounded by people experiencing the really interesting problems that need to be solved. How did you come to do this kind of research? My background is in electronic engineering. Then I did my PhD in medical devices and I could see the frustrations that medical researchers were facing getting their technologies into the clinic. So I trained in clinical trials and built up the medical device research based in Cúram and the School of Medicine in Galway. I am also executive director of the BioInnovate Ireland programme, which supports people to spend time with clinical teams and see new innovations that can then be brought forward for investment. What would you like people to know about medical innovation? I think some of the biggest challenges in medicine are not really technical; the issue is more around defining the problem. If you talk to a cancer surgeon, they will likely say they want to look the patient in eye and tell them they are cancer free. If you talk to the patient, yes, cancer free would be great, but maybe they are just as concerned with relief from pain, or sleep issues that mean they struggle more during the day. These are problems that need attention too. How important is the patient voice in what you do? It’s huge. Morally and ethically, we have a responsibility to have the patient voice heard. And I think what people don’t see sometimes is how well solutions could work economically too. When we were looking at the issue of hair loss, we spoke with patients who were spending a fortune on wigs. But people weren’t asking them about that cost to them. And how do you take a break from work? We have a four-year-old who keeps us very busy. Also my parents have a farm in the west of Ireland and when I get the chance I love to work on it.

An EU-backed project championing science education in open learning environments has helped an Irish community leave its artistic mark on its local library. This article was originally published here A new mosaic exploring creativity in connection with how the human brain functions has been unveiled at Ballybane Library in Galway, Ireland. The mosaic was created under a community-based project called ‘Intertwined – Mosaics of the Community Brain’, which is part of the EU-funded project SLEs. Launched in 2023, SLEs is developing engaging open learning environments that foster science education opportunities for all, in formal and informal education settings focusing on inclusiveness. To make this possible, the project is employing the powerful concept of ‘learning ecologies’ – the physical, social and cultural contexts in which learning takes place – as vehicles for forming impactful open schooling models in community settings. The mosaic is the result of a collaboration between CÚRAM – the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Medical Devices based at SLE project partner University of Galway – and three other partners (Ballybane Library, Galway Community College and artist Alison Mac Cormaic). As reported in a news item posted on the University of Galway website, participants adopted a co-creative approach to make the mosaic, which involved library staff and students learning side by side. The development process included workshops held at Superhuman, CÚRAM's medtech exhibition housed in Galway City Museum, and at the University of Galway’s Centre for Microscopy and Imaging and its School of History and Philosophy. “CÚRAM is delighted to join the Horizon-funded EU project STEAM Learning Ecologies as a national coordinator for Ireland,” notes CÚRAM Scientific Director Abhay Pandit in the news item. “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.” Intertwined was launched on 14 March 2024 during Brain Awareness Week, which is held between 11 and 17 March to promote public enthusiasm for brain science. Students and community Galway Community College Transition Year Coordinator Olive Flynn explains how involvement in the mosaic’s development has benefited the students: “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.” The mosaic can be found in the library’s newly refurbished Maker Space and is open to the public to view. Ballybane Library Manager Lisa Martyn remarks: “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.” Intertwined is one of the SLEs project’s 13 pilot projects launched across Europe in 2023 and 2024. SLEs (STE(A)M Learning Ecologies) ends in December 2025. For more information, please see: SLEs project website Keywords SLEs, learning ecology, brain science, art, science education, mosaic, open learning environment, library Related projects Project SLEs STE(A)M Learning Ecologies 28 November 2022  

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