News & Opinion

2024

Closing the gap of prostate cancer presentation disparities in Ireland
As Movember 2024 draws to a close, this new publication from the IPCOR team reveals prostate care diagnosis disparities in Ireland. Addressing these gaps in the healthcare system may guide future strategies for equitable early detection.

Research Spotlight: AutoPeptideML: Enhancing the Reliability of Peptide Models
Raul Fernández-Díaz, an IBM Research employee currently pursuing his PhD at University College Dublin (UCD) Conway Institute with the Shields group, has developed an innovative system aimed at democratizing the use of AI and machine learning for predicting peptide bioactivity.

Research Spotlight: Glycolysis: Beyond Energy Production – A Key Regulator of Cellular Signalling and Homeostasis
This review delves into the complex and evolving role of glycolysis, shifting focus from its traditional function as a central metabolic pathway for energy production, to its newly recognized roles in cellular signalling and physiological regulation. 

HRB invests €12.5 million to develop Ireland’s future research leaders
Dr Kieran Brennan, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science is one of the two UCD researchers who have been announced as recipients of Health Research Board (HRB) awards today.

Research Spotlight: Effect of Feeding Regime on the Metabolomic Profiles of Bovine Buttermilk and Whole Milk Powder
Understanding the influence of feeding regimes on cow's milk and its derived dairy products is critically important for the agri-food sector. The Brennan team recently published findings of a study to explore whether different dietary regimes affect the metabolite composition of cow's whole milk powder and buttermilk.

Research Spotlight: AI-driven clinical translation of AFM biomarkers for cancer diagnosis
New review in the latest edition of Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal explores the current state of AI applications, particularly in the use of atomic force microscopy to assess tumour stiffness in pancreatic cancer.

Research Spotlight: Combined therapeutic strategies to treat atherosclerosis in cardiovascular disease.
Atherosclerosis is the build-up of fatty plaque deposits on the walls of the arteries in the body that lead to cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. New research findings published by the team led by Dr Eoin Brennan explore drug combination therapies alongside statins.

EU project aims to revolutionise biomedical research with extracelluar vesicles
Conway Fellow, Prof Breandán Kennedy will lead EVEREST, an EU project bringing together 21 institutions from 11 countries to advance the study of 'messengers' between cells which could transform early diagnosis and targeted treatments.

Relaunch of Irish Prostate Cancer Outcomes Research registry with Movember fundingWith an investment of €2.5 million, the registry is now completely digital, will collect clinical data, biological samples and track patient-reported outcomes. 

Dr Nicola Fletcher receives ERC Synergy Grant to develop novel technology that could revolutionise clinical diagnostics
This coveted European Research Council (ERC) Synergy Grant for a groundbreaking project, NanoX is one of 57 projects totalling €571 million in funding announced to bring leading researchers together to combine their expertise, knowledge and resources to push the boundaries of scientific discovery. 

Dr Ronald Halim leads EU project, SusAlgaeFuel to make air travel greener
With his UCD Algae Group based at UCD Conway Institute, Dr Ronald Halim is leading a €4 million EU project aiming to use microalgae to upcycle digestate and CO₂ from anaerobic digestion into sustainable aviation fuels.

New precision medicine approach helps detect subgroups of people with obesity at high risk of diabetes and heart disease.
IMI SOPHIA consortium led by Prof. Carel le Roux publish findings in Nature Medicine on a new precision prediction algorithm.

Six Conway Fellows receive €3.6 million funding under Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future programme
Conway Fellows, Professor Cormac Murphy, Assoc. Professors Niamh O'Sullivan and Fiona Freeman and Drs Rebecca Henry, Gary Brennan and Dearbhaile Dooley have been awarded funding under the Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future Programme announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD.

2024 UCD Conway Festival gold medal for anti-inflammatory gut research
Dr Carlos Matellan from the UCD School of Medicine has won the 2024 UCD Conway Festival Gold Medal for anti-inflammatory research that could help people with gut diseases like Crohn's disease and prevent the damage caused by too much inflammation.

2024 Chambers Ireland Sustainable Business Impact Award for ABE Ireland programme
Amgen won the category award for the best community programme by a multinational company with the Amgen Biotech Experience.

Amgen Biotech Experience celebrates reaching one million students worldwide
Prof. Walter Kolch and Prof. Helen Roche join Taoiseach Simon Harris and Bob Bradway, Amgen CEO at Temple Carrig School in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, one of the leading schools involved in the programme in Ireland.

Two Conway Fellows awarded HRB funding to address major health challenges
Conway Fellows, Dr Rory Johnson and Dr Gary Brennan will receive awards totalling €857,160 to support their patient-orientated research projects over four years.

Celebrating a Decade of Impact: ABE Ireland Awards Grants to Innovative Teachers
In a remarkable celebration of its 10th anniversary and its pivotal role in the Amgen Biotech Experience’s (ABE) 1 millionth student milestone, ABE Ireland has announced a series of special grants aimed at amplifying the impact of its biotechnology education programme.

Dr Junli Xu awarded European Research Council funding for microplastics research
€1.5M award for project to investigate how tiny plastic particles, known as micro- and nanoplastics, affect human digestive health.

ABE Ireland programme shortlisted in 2024 Chambers Ireland Sustainable Business Impact Awards
The Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) Ireland programme at UCD is among 71 projects shortlisted across fourteen award categories in the 2024 Sustainable Business Impact Award by Chambers Ireland.

What If We Could Swallow Medicines Instead of Needing Painful Injections?
A new paper by Prof. David Brayden is published by the scientific journal ‘Frontiers for Young Minds’ - making cutting-edge research available and accessible to young audiences.

Improved drug formulation to boost delivery of oral medication to the gut
New research has revealed that an existing agent used in the oral drug formulation process may boost the delivery across the gut wall of an injectable medication like insulin.

'CuriosiTY' a hit with early career researchers and TY students
PhD researcher, Sophie Kavanagh shares her experience of working with a group of secondary school students through the SFI Discover CuriosiTY programme in Systems Biology Ireland and UCD Conway Institute. This programme introduces students to the world of STEM.

Targeting a key immune cell driver in lung fibrosis
New research led by Prof. Adam Byrne shows that a specific cell in the immune system plays a vital role in how lung fibrosis develops. This may open the door to new therapies for this chronic disease.

Conway Fellows receive SFI-IRC Pathway funding for multiple myeloma research projectsTwo recently appointed Conway Fellows, Dr Despina Bazou and Dr Aisling Coughlan will receive funding awards under the SFI-IRC Pathway programme announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD on 11 July 2024.

Dr Kieran Brennan awarded SFI Industry Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) Fellowship
Enabling a collaboration with Beckman Coulter Life Sciences to improve the detection of the small signalling particles that respond to cancer cells. 

In Memoriam: Professor Douglas Veale
Reflecting on the professional life of Conway Fellow, Prof. Doug Veale who passed away on 22 May 2024.

New collaborative research centre to transform food system launches at UCD
Conway Fellow, Professor Denis Shields is co-lead of new SFI collaborative research centre.

Minister O’Donovan announces investment to improve micronutrient delivery
Conway Fellows receive SFI Strategic Partnership Award of €1.4M for Bio-PADT partnership with Marigot Ltd to improve micronutrient delivery.

Increased ovulation after bariatric surgery in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Research findings published in the scientific journal, The Lancet may partly explain why increased fertility is seen after bariatric surgery according to co-author and Conway Fellow, Professor Carel le Roux.

Professor David Brayden elected to the Royal Irish Academy
Recognition for exceptional contribution to the sciences.

Four Conway Fellows receive SFI Frontiers for the Future awards
Funding will enable research programmes to meet the challenges of preterm birth, infection and cancer.

Best Education Outreach award for UCD Conway & Systems Biology Ireland
The collaborative EPE team running education and public engagment initiatives including the Amgen Biotech Experience and the CuriosiTY work experience programme were recognised at the 2024 Education Awards.  

Founders of ATXA Therapeutics and EpiCapture receive innovation awards
Conway Fellows, Professor Therese Kinsella and Associate Professor Antoinette Perry are named as recipients of the 2024 NovaUCD’s innovation awards, recognising their successes in commercialisation of UCD research in the areas of cardiopulmonary disease and high grade cancers, including prostate cancer.

Managing menopause treatment for cancer patients
This review led by Prof. Donal Brennan is published in The Lancet ahead of International Women's Day on March 08. 

UCD researchers and patient partners honoured at ICS Research Awards 2024
People involved in ground-breaking research projects around the country were honoured at the Irish Cancer Society Research Awards on Friday, February 23rd at Regent House, Trinity College Dublin.

SFI Discover award for Institute art/science collaboration between researchers, patient partners and women from minority communities.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, and Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, have announced a €5 million investment in 38 projects to create greater public awareness of the impact of STEM on society and everyday life, generate opportunities for dialogue and encouraging diversity in STEM-related disciplines.

Three Conway Fellows receive awards as part of collaborative partnership grants between UCD and Northeastern University
UCD and Northeastern University have extended their longstanding partnership with undergraduate education to research and doctoral education with the aim of strengthening their shared focus on global challenges in healthcare.

Finalist in 2023 UCD Research Impact Case Study competition
Professor William Gallagher, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science and UCD Conway Institute is named as a finalist in the 2023 UCD Research Impact Case Study competition for OncoMark: avoiding unnecessary chemotherapy in breast cancer patients