As part of the 1st Brazil-Ireland Science Week RCSI School of Postgraduate Studies, in collaboration with the Tissue Engineering Group (TERG); RCSI Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; the 3U-Centre of Excellence in the Neuroscience (COEN); and the RCSI Department of Physiology and Medical Physics hosted a symposium to showcase research conducted in RCSI.
The day-long symposium which took place in RCSI on Thursday 26th February was part of a series of events to mark Brazil-Ireland Science Week, in tandem with a major conference, Collaborative Research for a Better Future, which took place in Dublin Castle.
Pictured (l-r) at Dublin Castle are Professor David Henshall, CSND, RCSI; Dr Cecilia Hedin-Pereira, UFRJ; Professor Jochen Prehn, Chair, CSND, RCSI; Professor Sergio Ferreira, UFRJ; Professor David Finn, NUIG; Dr Hans Georg Konig, CSND RCSI
RCSI contributors at the Dublin Castle event included Professor Fergal OBrien, Head of the Tissue Engineering Research Group and Deputy Director of Applied Research at RCSI chaired a session on the first day of the conference entitled ‘The Role of Research Centres in Developing Cutting Edge Scientific Research. The event also included contributions from the Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, RCSI Centre for the Study of Neurological Disorders (CSND) and the 3U-Centre of Excellence in the Neuroscience (COEN) in a Brazilian/Irish Neuroscience Centres Collaborative Workshop which took place on Tuesday 24th February. The aim of the meeting was to discuss potential opportunities to increase future collaborations between Brazilian and Irish Neuroscience Centres. Delegates presenting at the meeting were RCSIs Professors Jochen Prehn, David Henshall and Dr Hans Georg Konig along with Brazillian delegates Professor Sergio Ferreira and Dr Cecilia Hedin-Pereira from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).
Pictured (l-r) are Professor Fergal OBrien, Head of TERG and Deputy Director of Applied Research at RCSI; Ronaldo José Farias Corrêa do Amaral, UFRJ; Professor Valeria de Mello Coelho, UFRJ; Dr Amos Matsiko, RCSI Department of Anatomy and TERG.
Thursdays symposium at RCSI began with presentations from RCSIs TERG laboratory and the Federal University of Rio De Janeiro on their ongoing collaboration in the area of Bioengineering and Cell Therapy. The Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry highlighted the diverse chemistry-based research activities being undertaken at RCSI and met with Brazilian delegates interested in potential collaborations. The Department also host a seminar by Ana Maria da Costa Ferreira, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of São Paulo, Institute of Chemistry (IQ-USP) São Paulo, Brazil.
Pictured (l-r) with the visiting delegation from Brazil are Dr Darren Griffith, RCSI Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry; Dr Amos Matsiko, RCSI Department of Anatomy and TERG; Dr Jay Chandanshive, RCSI Department of Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics; and (far right) Aoife McKeon, RCSI Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry.
The afternoon scientific meeting on neurological disease featured 3U-COEN, RCSI and Brazilian speakers who showcased their research areas. This event was organised by Dr. Hans Georg Konig, RCSI Department of Physiology and Medical Physics and Centre for the Study of Neurological Disorders (CSND) with departmental colleagues who spoke at the event including Professor Jochen Prehn, Professor David Henshall and Dr Tobias Engel. Other RCSI contributors included Professor John Waddington, RCSI Department of Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics; Professors David Cotter, Mary Cannon, Drs Melanie Foecking and Erik OHanlon, RCSI Department of Psychiatry; and Professor Norman Delanty; RCSI, Epilepsy Programme, Beaumont Hospital.
Pictured (l-r) are Professor Sergio Ferreira, UFRJ; Professor Jochen Prehn, Chair, CSND, RCSI; and Dr Hans Georg Konig, CSND, RCSI.
On Friday, 27th February, the RCSI Department of Physiology and Medical Physics marked the close of Brazil-Ireland Science Week with a presentation by Professor Sergio Ferreira, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, on the topic ‘Aβ oligomers and brain inflammation link synapse failure to neuronal insulin resistance and depression in Alzheimers disease".
Brazil-Ireland Science Week was organised by Research Brazil Ireland (RBI), a strategic cooperation initiative, funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), that brings together a consortium of eleven Irish third-level institutions and research centres to drive a coordinated national approach to promote Irelands scientific and technological reputation in Brazil and to highlight Irelands attractiveness as an international research partner.
It took a penalty shoot out to separate the graduates and students again this year in the annual Sherlock Cup challenge played in stormy conditions in Dardistown on Saturday, 28th February. The gale force wind blowing directly down the pitch was always going to influence the outcome of this game. Much credit is due to Robbie Collins and his ground staff for the excellent condition of the playing surface given the recent inclement weather.
The teams line-up before the game
The grads playing with the breeze had the better of the early exchanges. Fran OReilly together with James McElavney were pulling the strings in midfield .This central midfield pairing controlled the match for large portions. Indeed there was little to choose between them with the pharmacist just edging out the doctor for the man of the match accolade. McElvaney played some delightful through balls for striker Conor Lavery to break the students offside trap but the linesmans flag was harshly raised on a couple of occasions. The grads finally broke the deadlock with a move of real quality on the half hour mark. An intricate passing move released Mark Rogan down the left touchline and his pinpoint cross from the end line was headed home by Lavery. Shortly afterwards Rogan was forced to retire with a knee injury.
Some of the Victorious Graduates Squad with the 2015 Sherlock Cup
The students soaked up the pressure with Eoin Farrell and Kevin Millar keeping a tight rein on Lavery and Ayanfe Obilana as they threatened down the right. The first half finished with the grads holding on to their slender advantage.
The second half saw the students piling on the pressure. Simon Greene and Tomas Carroll defended with gusto to keep the students at bay. Former three time Irish Universities goalkeeper Jamie Clerkin was rarely called upon in the graduates goal. Conor Lavery looked dangerous on the counter attack and almost doubled the lead on a couple of occasions. Graeme Kelly snuffed out numerous attacks down the wing. It looked as if the grads would hang on for a famous victory but with just seven minutes remaining, the students Ben Melvin played a delightful through ball for the on rushing Abdulrahman Ibrahim to finish low in to the bottom corner past Clerkin.
The depleted grads defended heroically for the remaining few minutes and the game ended in a draw. The dreaded penalty shoot-out followed. Jamie Clerkin saved the first two student penalties whilst McElvaney, Greene and Carroll all converted for the grads. Graeme Kelly then dispatched the winning penalty with some aplomb to clinch the 2015 Sherlock cup for the graduates. Jim Sherlock presented the cup to graduates captain and man of the match, James McElvaney.
Jim Sherlock presents the Sherlock Cup to man of the match and graduates captain James McElvaney
Dinner and drinks followed in the Davenport Hotel and enjoyable night was had by all. Dr Mark Rogan was delighted to receive the honour of being elected President of the club by the graduates and students. Special mention was also given to new RCSI manager, Conor Jennings who has done a wonderful job with the college team this year. Under Conors guidance RCSI lost narrowly in the Collingwood Cup to eventual finalists, Trinity College. The soccer club gratefully acknowledged the contributions of Emily OBrien and Corriena Brien in student services for their continued support. The Sherlock Cup has become one of the highlights in the RCSI sporting calendar. Many thanks to all who turned up for the match and dinner and especially to Jim and Ellen Sherlock.
This annual challenge match is named after former RCSI Head Porter, Jim Sherlock who retired in 2013 with 30 years service to the College.
According to research, over half of young Irish people will meet the criteria for a mental health disorder at some point before 25 years of age.
This is according to an Irish study, known as The Challenging Times, the findings from which are featured in the recent Special Youth themed Edition of the Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine. The papers published from this study reveal, not only high rates of mental ill-health during adolescence and into young adulthood, but also the serious risks for young people who experience mental health difficulties during adolescence, including higher rates of unemployment during their young adult years. The study involved detailed clinical interviews with young Irish people from a representative sample of schools in North Dublin, first at age 12-15 years and later when they were aged 19-24 years.
The findings reinforce the importance of early intervention in order to maximise the functional outcomes for adolescents with mental disorders to give young people the best chance to get well and get on with having full, productive and normal lives. A case made by leading advocates in the youth mental health movement in a number of editorials in the special edition of the journal.
This special edition focuses on the importance of research in identifying the needs and vulnerabilities of young people and was inspired following the adoption of Youth Mental Health as the official annual theme by the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, in 2013. The College released a submission paper at this time stating that despite the perception that “the health and wellbeing of young people has never been better’ in fact the ‘evidence points to high rates... of psychological distress and mental disorder among young people’. Much of the work in this Special Issue was funded by the Health Research Board (Ireland).
Associate Editors, Professor Mary Cannon and Dr. John Paul Lyne began this timely endeavour to capture the excellent work which many high profile Youth Mental Health researchers are conducting both in Ireland and abroad, and harness ongoing momentum in this important area.
Professor Mary Cannon, (RCSI & Beaumont Hospital), says ‘It is time to start focussing on providing specialised services catering for the need of young people particularly during the transition from adolescence into young adulthood. This can be a difficult time with many challenges for vulnerable youth. The reality is that our existing services simply cannot respond to the level of need among Irish youth. New models of service are required.’
Dr. John Lyne (North Dublin Mental Health service) says ‘This comprehensive edition provides a clear focus on young people’s mental health today. The quality contributions from both Ireland and internationally highlight the desire for reform in this area, which would be a positive investment for the future.’
The research in this Special Issue highlights the problems that still exist and the gaps in services for young people. It encompasses work on prevalence rates and risk factors for mental ill – health among Irish young people and also papers describing innovative youth mental health developments in UK, Canada and Australia. The Special Issue also includes a powerful first person account from a young person, Lisa Butterly, who has experience in transitioning from child to adult mental health services in Ireland.
In response to recent media reports about sexual harassment within Australian surgery, RCSI, in conjunction with our sister Surgical Colleges in the UK, has issued the following statement:
"The Surgical Royal Colleges of the UK and Ireland are united in finding any form of sexual harassment totally unacceptable. No trainee, or indeed any doctor, should feel intimidated and should immediately raise concerns about inappropriate sexual advances by any colleague, senior or junior. The RCSEng Guide, Good Surgical Practice, endorsed by our College, makes it explicit that surgeons have a duty to promote a positive working environment and treat patients and colleagues fairly and without discrimination".
Discovery of new corrector drugs that target the genetic mutation which is the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis, rather than the symptoms, is key to developing effective treatments for the condition, an expert in cystic fibrosis drug discovery has said. Research into these targeted treatments is the topic of a keynote address by Professor Luis Galietta, Professor in Molecular Genetics at the University of Genova, who will deliver the John J Ryan Distinguished Lecture at RCSI Research Day 2015, which is taking place at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) today.
CF is caused by mutations that abolish the function of CFTR, a protein that is needed to transport chloride and bicarbonate across cell membranes. CF mutations have been grouped in classes according to the mechanism through which they affect this protein. 10% of all CF patients with class 3 mutations can benefit from a recently approved drug, Kalydeco, which has shown to be highly effective. However, the majority of CF patients (70-90%) have different mutation (F508del) and require a different type of pharmacological treatment.
In his talk entitled "Pharmacological correction of the cystic fibrosis basic defect: problems and opportunities", Professor Luis Galietta will describe how present scientific research efforts are directed towards the identification of drugs, known as correctors, which can lessen the effects of F508del mutation. Professor Galietta and his team are among those who have been researching effective correctors by various strategies, including screenings on cultured cells of large collections of chemical compounds looking for molecules that improve the stability and function of mutant CFTR protein.
Cystic fibrosis (CF), one of the most frequent genetic diseases, is characterised by a progressive and irreversible damage of lungs, pancreas, and other organs. Ireland has the highest proportion of CF people in the world with approximately 1,200 patients suffering from this inherited chronic disease. (Source: Cystic Fibrosis Ireland)
RCSIs annual Research Day provides scientists with the opportunity to showcase their most recent research findings. The latest advances in biomedical sciences, clinical research, population health sciences, healthcare delivery and health professions education are just some of the topics featured in studies which will be presented today to more than 300 researchers who are expected to attend.
Professor Ray Stallings, Director of Research at RCSI said: ‘RCSI is committed to supporting and nurturing an active research community and the annual Research Day is a vital platform for highlighting the scope of research taking place across the different disciplines in the College. As one of Irelands premier research institutions, exposure to world-class research begins at undergraduate level right up to the highest-calibre research-active academic staff, enabling us to train new generations of researchers and clinician scientists. We are delighted to welcome Professor Luis Galietta to share his renowned expertise in cystic fibrosis drug discovery to present his ground-breaking research with us.
The emphasis for RCSI Research Day is on research presentations by investigators early in their career, post-doctoral fellows, post-graduate and undergraduate scholars and academic staff. All oral presentations and poster presentations will be judged and awards will be presented at a ceremony later this evening.
Additional research presented at the RCSI Research Day:
RCSI team discover new tissue regeneration method to enhance tissue repair and block disease-causing genes
Osteoarthritis and diabetes among conditions that may benefit from regenerative therapies
Researchers from the Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), RCSI Department of Anatomy have developed a unique therapeutic platform that potentially can be used to block harmful genes and enhance beneficial ones and thus has potential to repair damaged or diseased organs for a myriad of conditions, it was reported today at the RCSI Research Day 2015, which is taking place at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).
The discovery will potentially lead to new treatment for diseases that would benefit from tissue repair, including repair of cartilage in osteoarthritis and vascular tissue in diabetes. In addition to enhancing tissue repair by ‘switching on beneficial genes, the therapeutic platform has the ability to ‘switch off genes that cause disease, such as genes that cause excessive bone growth in osteoarthritis, which is a major new finding that has emerged from the study.
Professor Fergal OBrien, Head of the Tissue Engineering Research Group at RCSI and lead-Principle Investigator on the project said ‘The platform biomaterials developed in this study have potential for the regeneration of numerous degenerated or diseased tissues in the body when combined with different therapeutic microRNA activators or inhibitors. The obvious application of this technology is bone repair but we also have particular interest in using the platform to deliver microRNAs that improve the regeneration of tissues which suffer from a compromised blood supply- for example in diabetic patients.
The system allows for the local delivery of both activators and inhibitors of micro-ribonucleic acids (microRNAs), an RNA interference technology alternative to gene therapy, in combination with nanoparticles and a collagen-based scaffold biomaterial, designed specifically for tissue repair. In this study, the team developed a highly efficient microRNA delivery approach by implementing their own in-house scaffold-based transfection system, which involved the combination of a collagen-based scaffold previously developed for tissue repair and optimised nano-hydroxyapatite particles, previously developed for plasmid DNA gene delivery, as safe and effective non-viral microRNA delivery vectors for human stem cells.
The research was the result of a multi-disciplinary effort between cell biologists, clinicians and engineers in the TERG, which is part of the Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER) Centre, and was led by Prof. Fergal OBrien and Dr. Garry Duffy in RCSI. Results of this study have just been published in the leading specialist journal in the field, Journal of Controlled Release, with Irene Mencía Castaño, a PhD student in the TERG supervised by Prof. OBrien, Dr. Duffy and Dr Caroline Curtin, as first author. This work was supported by the BioAT PhD Structured Programme funding bodies PRTL (Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions) Cycle 5 as well as through the European Research Council.
The relevance of the innovative microRNA-scaffold platforms described within this study is highlighted by the magnitude of funding being invested recently in RNA-based biotechnological companies. In addition, Prof. OBrien recently received a prestigious ‘Proof of Concept grant from the European Research Council (ERC), an award only available to researchers that have already been awarded an ERC Investigator grant. This award will allow further research on the platform with particular focus on cartilage repair.
RCSI is among the top 50 most international universities in the world (Times Higher Education University World Rankings, 2014-15). It is a not-for-profit health sciences institute focused on education and research to drive positive change in all areas of human health worldwide. RCSI is headquartered in Dublin and is a recognised College of the National University of Ireland. In 2010, RCSI was granted independent degree awarding status by the State, which enables the College to award degrees alongside its traditional powers to award licentiates.
For further information on RCSI Research Day 2015 visit: http://rd.rcsi.ie/
Research Day 2015 concluded yesterday evening with an awards ceremony which took place in the Cheyne Lecture Theatre. Dr Gianpiero Cavalleri, Research Day 2015 Academic Co-Ordinator, hosted the ceremony which saw awards being presented to winners across twelve categories.
The ceremony began with the presentation of the Mr Kamal Sayed Prize in Neurosurgery to Ms. Zaitun Zakaria. The medal, which is generously supported by Dr Yacoob Kadwa, Class of 1965, is awarded to a neurosurgery trainee in recognition of outstanding work and excellence in the field of neurosurgery. This is a prestigious award of RCSI and is run in conjunction with the Irish Institute of Clinical Neuroscience. The prize pays special tribute to the memory of Mr Kamal Sayed, a graduate of RCSI (Class of 1960). The award was presented by Amos Sayed, on behalf of Dr. Camilla Carroll (FRCSI and Class of 1985) and Dr Jacintha More OFerrall (Class of 1990).
The RCSI Author Citations Prize was awarded to Dr. Eoghan ONeill, Senior Lecturer, RCSI, and Consultant Microbiologist, Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown. The prize is awarded to the most highly cited RCSI-led paper and in recognition of its contribution to RCSIs listing in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking system. The prize was presented by Ms. Aoife Flanagan, Head of Institutional Research and Planning, RCSI.
Dr Regien Biesma, Lecturer, RCSI Department of Epidemiology & Public Health Medicine, was announced as the winner of the Health Professions Education Award. The prize was awarded by Professor Hannah McGee, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, for the best abstract and project in the broad category of health professions education, acknowledging the centrality of a robust research and development approach to all RCSIs educational programmes.
William Arthur Lackington, RCSI Department of Anatomy and Tissue Engineering Research Group, was presented a prize for the front cover illustration of the RCSI Research Day abstract book.
Medical student Amenah Dhannoon was awarded the Dr. Harry OFlanagan Prize for Excellence in Undergraduate Research for the best undergraduate oral presentation. This category was open to all RCSI Research Summer Students who completed a research project in 2014. This medal award was created by Dr. Yacoob Kadwa, RCSI graduate (Class of 1965) to pay special tribute to the memory of Dr. Harry OFlanagan, former Registrar of the RCSI. The undergraduate poster presentation prize was awarded to Karim Jundi.
In the postgraduate scholars - first year category, which was open to any postgraduate group, including PhD, Msc, MD in first year of fulltime registration or equivalent, Caragh Stapleton, RCSI Department of Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, was the recipient of The Medical Supply Company (MSC) and Bio-Sciences Limited Prize for the best oral presentation. The poster presentation prize winner in the category was Mariana Alves, RCSI Department of Physiology & Medical Physics.
In the postgraduate scholars category, which was open to any postgraduate group, including PhD, Msc, MD in second or later year of fulltime registration or equivalent, Michelle White, RCSI Department of Medicine, was awarded the Roche Medal for the best oral presentation. The poster presentation prize winner in the category, which is sponsored by Fannin, was awarded to Sergej Susdalzew, RCSI Department of Physiology & Medical Physics.
In the Early Career Investigators category which was open to all RCSI post-doctoral fellows, Dr Mark McCormack, RCSI Department of Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, was awarded the Barnes Medal for the best oral presentation. The award is named after Dr Joe Barnes, Professor Emeritus of Tropical Medicine in RCSI and was presented by his son Mr. Matthew Barnes. The poster prize winner in this category, which is sponsored by Fannin, was awarded to Dr David W Murray, RCSI Department of Physiology & Medical Physics. The judges noted that the standard of science in this category was exceptionally high.
Congratulations to all the winners and Coordinators of Research Day 2015 Dr Gianpiero Cavalleri, Stephanie OConnor and Cathy OByrne, on the success of Research Day 2015.
RCSI is among the top 50 most international universities in the world (Times Higher Education University World Rankings, 2014-15). It is a not-for-profit health sciences institute focused on education and research to drive positive change in all areas of human health worldwide. RCSI is headquartered in Dublin and is a recognised College of the National University of Ireland. In 2010, RCSI was granted independent degree awarding status by the State, which enables the College to award degrees alongside its traditional powers to award licentiates.
International Food Night was held in RCSIs Exam Hall on Friday 13th March. This event kicked off Cultural Diversity Month at RCSI which will see a number of events that showcase the culture, traditions, food, music and dance from the colleges student body. RCSI is a true melting pot with some 60 nationalities represented amongst its student body.
Cultural diversity is something the College prides itself on, and the International Food Night was a perfect way to start the festivities. Attendees got acquainted with gastronomic delights from all four corners of the globe all while, hearing the stories behind their origin and how they are made. Over 350 RCSI students and staff attended on the night and congratulations to the Gourmet Society who pulled out all the stops to ensure a memorable occasion for everyone in attendance.
Prof Arnold Hill, Head of the RCSI School of Medicine (left) visits the Kuwaiti stand at the RCSI Cultural Exhibition Fair which is part of March being Cultural Diversity Month.
This week the Exam Hall was transformed to allow students from various countries to showcase their culture, landscape, clothing and history at the Cultural Exhibition Fair. The countries participating this year are Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, UAE, Malaysia, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Kuwait and Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (PIBS). We heard steelpans from Trinidad, got bindis from Pakistan, and got a feel of the easy going lifestyle in Malaysia. We tasted sweet coffee from Kuwait and soda bread from Ireland!
RCSI Cultural Diversity Month will culminate on Friday 27th March with the annual International Night which will be held in the impressive setting of the Round Room at Dublins Mansion House. Guests at this entertaining celebration of international talent, music and dance will be transported around the globe as the many student societies compete for the International Night Plate. Other events include an RCSI football World Cup and an international bake sale (on Monday 23rd March), a light-hearted culture debate and a test themed on culture and geography.
Take a look at a few photos from this unique event below
Safer use of medicines, improved diagnosis, and more effective delivery of primary care will result from a new €3 million award from the Health Research Board (HRB) to the HRB Centre for Primary Care Research (CPCR), based at RCSIs (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) Department of General Practice.
This award will be used to build on the significant progress the CPCR has already made in advancing the capacity and infrastructure for primary care research in Ireland. This new phase of funding will see the centre focus on areas such a Clinical Decision Support Systems, Clinical Prediction Rules and multimorbidity; topics that are of national and international importance for both policy and practice.
The research programme will be undertaken with national and international partners where additional grant funding has been secured from two pan-European grants, namely TRANSFoRm, a study that focuses on patient safety in primary care, and ALICE, a study that examines the use of antivirals for influenza like illness.
Announcing the funding, Graham Love, Chief Executive at the HRB said ‘Effective primary care means better outcomes for patients and less pressure on acute services. To be effective, it must be informed by research. This €3 million investment by the HRB underlines the importance being put on primary care interventions nationally.
Professor Tom Fahey, Professor of General Practice, HRB Centre for Primary Care Research, Department of General Practice, RCSI added ‘Our programme of primary care research is already having a great impact to improve primary care, and primary care research, in Ireland. To date we have created an international register of over 400 clinical prediction rules that help GPs to better diagnose patients and we have collaborated on the development of an infrastructure for GPs and their patients to contribute to research projects in real time. We have also identified and pilot tested an intervention to reduce potentially inappropriate prescribing at the point of patient care which could save several million euros on our prescription bills.
Details of current and past work and projects of the Centre for Primary Care Research can be viewed online at www.hrbcentreprimarycare.ie.
RCSI is among the top 50 most international universities in the world (Times Higher Education University World Rankings, 2014-15). It is a not-for-profit health sciences institute which focuses on education and research to drive positive change in all areas of human health worldwide. RCSI is headquartered in Dublin and is a recognised College of the National University of Ireland. In 2010, RCSI was granted independent degree awarding status by the State, which enables the College to award degrees alongside its traditional powers to award licentiates.
The Health Research Board (HRB) is Irelands lead agency supporting and funding health research. It aims to improve peoples health, patient care and health service delivery by leading and supporting research, generating new knowledge and promoting the use of evidence in policy and practice. To date, the HRB has supported a wide range of research which has played a key role in driving innovation in the Irish health system and supporting economic development.
RCSIs (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) MiniMed Open Lecture Series 2014/15 continued on Wednesday 25th February with a special information event, consisting of a lecture and a multi-disciplinary panel discussion, on the topic of the Irish relationship with benzodiazepines and anti-anxiety medication. The session was hosted by the RCSI School of Pharmacy.
The lecture, delivered by Dolores Keating (Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, RCSI School of Pharmacy) was titled ‘Mammys little helper - the Irish relationship with anxiety medication. This was followed by the panel debate called ‘Anti-anxiety medication use in Ireland today - problem cause or cure? and was chaired by the Head of the RCSI School of Pharmacy, Professor Paul Gallagher.}
In her talk which is now available to watch online, Ms Keating looks at the history of anti-anxiety medication from the 1950s up to the current day while examining the social impact and social awareness of these medications in popular culture and look at some of the advertising approaches that have been taken over the years (and the coining of the Rolling Stones Song ‘Mothers Little Helper). Dolores also speaks about the risks and benefits of using such medications to treat anxiety.
RCSI student, Johanna Pinto Lee, (Foundation Year student from Canada) has been selected for the Irish University Womens Water Polo team at the Celtic Tri-Nations tournament in Glasgow which runs from 3rd-5th April.
Johanna Pinto Lee in action in the pool
Speaking on her selection, Johanna said, "This year, I will be competing for RCSI on the Irish University Womens Water Polo team at the Celtic Tri-Nations tournament in Glasgow over Easter weekend. We will be competing against the Scottish and Welsh teams for the Tri-Nation Cup. I started playing water polo back home in Canada when I was 11 years old; I trained with my club team and then competed provincially with Team Ontario and at the Canadian National Championships. Water polo was such a large part of my life that when I moved to Dublin I still wanted to keep playing; I found the Dublin University Swimming Club (DUSC) on Twitter and decided to start training with them.
The water polo community in Ireland is small but thriving, so far my time training with DUSC on behalf of RCSI has been an amazing! I competed at the University Inter-varsities in January and a few teammates and myself from the Trinity College womens team were selected to compete in Glasgow together. It has been a while since I have competed at a large tournament and I cannot wait for the hustle and bustle of traveling with a team again. We have big hopes of winning the tournament this year, hopefully we come back to Dublin holding a trophy!" she continued.
We wish Johannaand the Irish team all the best of lucj
Professor Nick Black of London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine explores quality assessments in the health service
SPHeRE, the Structured Population and Health-services Research Education programme, held its first annual Spring Seminar in the Albert Lecture Theatre, RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) on 10th March 2015.
Pictured (l-r) is Prof Steve Thomas TCD, Dr Dona Tedstone,, Prof John Browne UCC, Prof Nick Black, Prof Anne Hickey RCSI, Prof Bernie Hannigan Public Health England and Dr Teresa Maguire HRB.
The invited speaker was Professor Nick Black of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the talk was entitled, "To do the service no harm: the dangers of quality assessment".
Professor Nick Black of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine gives the keynote talk
Professor Black was the first head of the Health Services Research Unit at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He was Founding Chair of the UK Health Services Research Network and editor of the Journal of Health Services Research and Policy. His main research interests are in quality and appropriateness of healthcare. Professor Black chaired the National Advisory Group for Clinical Audit & Enquiries, which advises the UK Department of Health and NHS England and he serves on several other national advisory bodies on quality assessment and improvement, playing a leading role in the adoption of patient reported outcome measures.
Pictured (l-r) is Prof Steve Thomas TCD, Prof Nick Black, Prof John Browne UCC and Prof Anne Hickey RCSI.
The SPHeRE programme is a partnership of all universities in the Republic of Ireland, with programme management situated in RCSI, University College Cork (UCC) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD).
Pictured (l-r) is Prof Cathal Kelly, CEO/Registrar, RCSI; Prof Davinder Sandhu, RCSI Bahrain and Prof John Hyland, Vice President RCSI.
Launched in 2014, the SPHeRE programme was awarded €6.3 million by the Health Research Board (HRB). The programme will provide education and training for five cohorts of PhD scholars annually (2013-2017) and aims to graduate 30-50 PhD scholars in total.
Pictred (l-r) is Rebecca Kirrane, SPHeRE; Prof Anne Hickey, SPHeRE; Prof Jane Grimson, TCD; and Dr Sarah Barry, TCD
Pictured (l-r) Mr Declan Magee, President of RCSI, Prof Hannah McGee Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, RCSI, Prof Nick Black and Prof Anne Hickey RCSI
Pictured (l-r) is Steve Barron, Economist, ESRI; Sarah Jo Synnott, ESRI; and Elaine Healy SPHeRE Programme Co-ordinator
RCSIs badminton team has won the National Badminton Intervarsitys 2015 plate which was hosted at Queens University in Belfast. The team of 8 players consisted of: Arief Naimun Ashakli, Jason Teoh, Shivapragaasan Ragupathy, Chuah Su Wen, Jia Yi Gan (Captain), Vanessa Nguyen (Vice-Captain), Julia Lim Shin Yi and Wee Nee Foo.
"It was daunting and intimidating on the first day, seeing other universities with team of 10 to 20 players. Not to mention, we were defeated by DCU and NUIG in the first matches. The matches on the first day were a nightmare. DCU and NUIG were strong opponents that kept us on our toes throughout the entire game. Despite the defeat on the first day, we didnt give up" said Jia Yi Gan
RCSIs victorious badminton team
The defeat only fuelled the team further to strive for improvement and play their best for the remaining matches in the competition. They stayed positive and motivated, aiming for victory in the Plate Games instead, which turned to be their greatest achievement.
"With our five hour training sessions each week throughout the year, the team bonded really well and showed real passion and enjoyment for the sport. As captains, Vanessa and I are very proud of the team this year. This achievement would not be possible without the handwork and dedication that the team members put in to train despite their hectic schedules. The strong bond of friendship and teamwork displayed was truly inspirational and exemplary in the true spirit of sportsmanship. We look forward to another year of success for the Badminton Club in 2016."
Well done to Jia Yi Gan and Vanessa Nguyen on their impressive leadership throughout the year which has been reflected in their teams performance over the weekend.
RCSI MiniMed series concludes with assessment on whether antibiotics can be preserved for the next generation
The rapid development of more and more effective antibiotics combined with their misuse has led the human body to become resistant to antibiotics. The overuse of such drugs means that bacteria can figure out how to protect themselves from antibiotics, which are designed to kill them. This has led to the rise of the ‘superbugs and means we may be close returning to a time that simple infections are no longer treatable as the antibiotics may not work. The battle with antibiotic resistance and superbugs will be discussed at the final lectures of the 2014/2015 series of RCSIs (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) MiniMed Lecture Series this evening (Wednesday 25th March). The event, entitled ‘Have the superbugs won or can we still preserve antibiotics for the next generation? is open free of charge to the public, will be held from 7pm to 9pm at RCSI, 123 St. Stephens Green.
The lecture will be given by Dr Fidelma Fitzpatrick, a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology at RCSI and Consultant Microbiologist in Beaumont Hospital and Dr Nuala OConnor, a General Practitioner in Cork, who is the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) Lead Advisor on Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotics are specific medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotics dont work against infections caused by viruses, such as colds and influenza. Overuse of antibiotics has led to the rise in antibiotic resistance bacteria ‘the superbugs both nationally and internationally. In this talk, Drs Fitzpatrick and OConnor will outline how antibiotics, which were hailed as miracle drugs, have transformed modern medicine and how antibiotic resistance occurs and spreads. They will bring the public on an A-Z tour of the different types of superbugs as well as explaining the threat of a return to the pre-antibiotic era if the superbugs win.
"It is sobering to remember how much antibiotics have revolutionised medical practice in the last 75 years and saved millions of lives since their discovery. Then antibiotic resistance was little understood and the pipeline of new antibiotics seemed endless. There was no attempt to use these agents wisely", said Dr Fitzpatrick, who was also the National Clinical Lead for Healthcare-associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance Prevention from 2010 to 2014.
"Antibiotic resistance remains one of the greatest potential threats to human health. In the lecture, we hope to give guests a better understanding of antibiotics, why and when you need them, their role in human health as a life-saving drug and understand how everybody, both prescribers and patients, has a role in preserving these lifesaving miracle drugs for future generations", continued Dr Fitzpatrick.
In this information session both speakers will offer advice on appropriate use of antibiotics as well as practical tips that will stop the spread of superbugs and help decrease reliance on antibiotics. Dr OConnor offers a few suggestions: "Firstly, you can reduce your risk of infection by living a healthy lifestyle with a good diet and exercise and get vaccinations to prevent infectious diseases. Always practice good hygiene if you do develop an infection such as using a tissue to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough and wash your hands after which will stop the bugs from spreading. Its important that you discuss with your GP whether or not you actually need antibiotic to fight your infection. Most coughs, colds, flus, sore throats, earaches, rashes and tummy bugs are caused by viruses and antibiotics have no effect on viruses."
"Remember antibiotics themselves can have nasty side-effects and cause harm. Check out the www.undertheweather.ie for tips on how to treat common infections. You seldom need an antibiotic from your GP; if it is a viral illness, rest and time may be the best solution but if you are prescribed antibiotics, use them correctly. Take the medication exactly as prescribed and finish the course. Dont save antibiotics for later and dont share them with others. Antibiotics are a precious resource and we need to use them wisely. Keeping antibiotics effective for future generations is everyones responsibility" continued Dr OConnor.
The RCSI MiniMed Open Lecture Series is free of charge; however registration is essential in order to guarantee a place. Previous lecture series have attracted widespread public interest with demand for places far outstripping availability. Register online at www.rcsi.ie/minimed and you can join the conversation online, on the night, on Twitter at #RCSIMiniMed. To view previous RCSI MiniMed lectures from the last series on the RCSI YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/TheRCSI123.
RCSI is among the top 50 most international universities in the world (Times Higher Education University World Rankings, 2014-15). It is a not-for-profit health sciences institute which focuses on education and research to drive positive change in all areas of human health worldwide. RCSI is headquartered in Dublin and is a recognised College of the National University of Ireland. In 2010, RCSI was granted independent degree awarding status by the State, which enables the College to award degrees alongside its traditional powers to award licentiates.
Students from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) practice their dance moves ahead of ‘International Night’ which takes place in the Mansion House on Friday 27th March. The event is the culmination of a month-long series of events that have taken in the College as part of RCSI Cultural Diversity Month which showcases the culture, traditions, food, music and dance from RCSI students’ home countries.
There are more than 60 nationalities represented on the student body at RCSI. At International Night guests are treated to a night of dancing, music and entertainment from around the world.
Meath GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) football captain, Donal Keogan and Niall Cooper, Dublin GAA Regional Development Officer put more than 100 local boys and girls from St. Endas Primary School, Whitefriar Street, Dublin 8 and Presentation Primary School, Warrenmount, Dublin 8 through their paces at a Gaelic football master class as part of the annual REACH (Recreation Education And Community Health) RCSI Sports Day on, Thursday 26th March 2015. The event, hosted by RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland), provided a great opportunity for school children aged between 7 to 10 years of age, to develop their GAA skills and get active by taking part in a number of other games and activities.
Meath football captain and RCSI PhD student, Donal Keogan celebrates a win with the red team
The annual REACH RCSI Sports Day aims to raise awareness and promote life-long recreation and community health. RCSI students and staff volunteer to help run the event, organised by the REACH RCSI Programme, at the Colleges sports grounds in Dardistown, Swords. The action packed day of events included the GAA skills class, a five-a-side soccer tournament and an obstacle course, along with a range of traditional sports day games including the sack race, egg and spoon races.
Pictured is Leah Wilson Radley and Kacie McDonald from Presentation Primary School, Warrenmount
Donal brings the red, yellow and orange team through a GAA drill
Maria Kelly, REACH RCSI Manager said, "The REACH Sports Day is a great opportunity for school children get outside, get some fresh air and develop their sports skills in a fun environment, which is a valuable way to encourage lifelong health and well-being. It is fantastic to have the GAA, Donal and local community Gardai Aidan Monaghan & Wayne Careyon on board this year and the children from both schools enjoyed the day. Also by spending a day with RCSI volunteers, some of whom coach and participate in established RCSI sports teams, encourages young people in our community to develop a greater interest in sport and health, which is one of the main objectives of the REACH programme."
Owen from the black team wins the sack race as his teammates celebrate
Speaking on of the REACH Sports Day Niall Cooper, brother of Dublin GAAs Johnny Cooper said "The GAA always has community and inclusiveness at its core. Joining your local GAA club is a great opportunity to learn new skills, make friends, keep fit and generally have a great time. Participation and ensuring everybody gets a game is also at the heart of everything we do so lack of experience or skill should not discourage any boy or girl from trying out our national games with your local club."
Pictured (l-r) are Allanah Kely and Mya Grey-McCluskey from Presentation Primary School, Warrenmount try out the space hoppers
The REACH RCSI Programme is a Community Outreach and Access programme at RCSI. The initiative is aimed at encouraging and facilitating third level participation and enhancing life chances for those traditionally underrepresented at third level, particularly those from Dublins South Inner City.
Pictured is Charlie Lee from St. Endas Primary School, Whitefriar Street, Dublin taking part in the sack race
RCSI is among the top 50 most international universities in the world (Times Higher Education University World Rankings, 2014-15). It is a not-for-profit health sciences institute which focuses on education and research to drive positive change in all areas of human health worldwide. RCSI is headquartered in Dublin and is a recognised College of the National University of Ireland. In 2010, RCSI was granted independent degree awarding status by the State, which enables the College to award degrees alongside its traditional powers to award licentiates.
RCSIs (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) MiniMed Open Lecture Series 2014/15 came to a close on Wednesday 25th March with a dynamic double lecture on the topic of superbugs and antibiotic resistance titled ‘Have the superbugs won or can we still preserve antibiotics for the next generation? The talk was delivered by Dr Fidelma Fitzpatrick, RCSI Senior Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology and Consultant Microbiologist in Beaumont Hospital; and Dr Nuala OConnor, a General Practitioner, who is the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) Lead Advisor on Antibiotic Resistance.
The lecture details the discovery and introduction of antibiotics - then hailed as ‘miracle drugs, right through to their overuse which led to the rise in antibiotic resistance bacteria ‘the superbugs both nationally and internationally. In this video, Drs Fitzpatrick and OConnor will outline how antibiotics have transformed modern medicine and how antibiotic resistance occurs and spreads. They will bring the public on an A-Z tour of the different types of superbugs as well as explaining the threat of a return to the pre-antibiotic era if the superbugs win.
In the video, both speakers will also offer advice on appropriate use of antibiotics as well as practical tips that will stop the spread of superbugs and help decrease reliance on antibiotics. This lecture brought a close to the 2015/15 series. Another lecture series will recommence in the Autumn of 2015.
The RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) Heritage Collections will be a key contributor to the upcoming RTE ‘Road to the Rising event this Easter Monday, 6th of April. For one day only, Dublins OConnell Street will be transported one hundred years back in time to 1915 to set the scene, in the global backdrop of the commencement of the First World War, that led to the 1916 Rising. The RCSI Heritage Collections will be located in the OConnell Suite, Gresham Hotel from 11am-3pm as part of the Exhibition Room and Meet the Historians event.
Archivist, Meadhbh Murphy will host an exhibition and speak to attendees on ‘The Medical Archives from 1900 onwards. Here members of the public can learn about what living conditions were like for Dubliners a century ago as well as what medical instruments were being used to carry out surgical procedures of the time. Using real medical instruments, artefacts, photos and documents from the RCSI Heritage Collections, Meadhbh and her colleague Mary ODoherty (Assistant Librarian, Special Collections, RCSI) will also be on hand to answer any questions on medical archives.
Speaking ahead of the event, Meadhbh Murphy said, "I really cant wait to see how OConnell Street looks on the day, in a time when Dubliners were fighting a war in foreign lands and another was soon to erupt on their streets. One of the highlights of our exhibition focuses on the reports done by Sir Charles Cameron, President of the College from 1885-1886. Cameron was Public Health Officer for Dublin in the early 1900s and published meticulous annual reports on the sanitation, housing and public conveniences utilised by Dubliners at the time. Cameron also highlighted the plight of those working class families living in the tenements."
The RTÉ Road to the Rising event explores Ireland in the run up to the Revolution, as OConnell Street, Dublin will become an Edwardian thoroughfare, featuring a host of performances, lectures and speakers and other events that will allow the public to learn about the events that shaped the rising of Easter Week 1916. For further information on the full list of events, visit www.rte.ie/1916.
RCSI was one of the locations seized by rebels led by Michael Mallin and Constance Markievicz during the 1916 Easter Rising. The mission of the RCSI Heritage Collections is to collect, catalogue, preserve and make available to researchers the wealth of knowledge held within the Heritage Collections of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. The Heritage Collections consists of archives, manuscripts, furniture, portraiture, silverware, medical instruments, surgical artefacts and antiquarian books.
RCSI is among the top 50 most international universities in the world (Times Higher Education University World Rankings, 2014-15). It is a not-for-profit health sciences institute which focuses on education and research to drive positive change in all areas of human health worldwide. RCSI is headquartered in Dublin and is a recognised College of the National University of Ireland. In 2010, RCSI was granted independent degree awarding status by the State, which enables the College to award degrees alongside its traditional powers to award licentiates.
RCSI students Daniel MacManus and Ailbhe Houlihan were members of the winning Irish Polo Team at the Polo Tri-Nations Tournament on the 18th and 19th of March held in Wicklow.
This was the 7th Annual Tri-Nations Tournament, hosted each year by the RCSI Polo Club, and was the first year in the tournaments history that the Irish team were victorious. The team fought off stiff competition from both the English and Scottish sides.
Prizes for all teams were generously donated by RCSI graduates Fiona Seager, Jack Woods, Greg Gaughran and Tom Branigan, who have all previously represented Ireland at this tournament. Well done to all involved!
RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) signed a Memorandum of Academic and Research Collaboration (MARC) with Soochow University (SU) which will see both institutions promote academic collaboration for teaching, innovative scientific research, student training, and technology development over the next five years. This significant development is the first such collaboration agreement RCSI has signed with a Chinese university. The memorandum was signed in SU on Thursday 9th April.
Pictured at the signing of the Memorandum of Academic Research and Understanding between Soochow University and RCSI is Dr Helena Kelly, RCSI School of Pharmacy; Professor Xuechu Zhen, Dean of the College of Pharmaceutical Sciences Soochow University; Professor John Waddington, MCT and other members of faculty of Soochow University. Pictured (seated) is Professor Xinghong Jiang, Vice President International Affairs, Soochow University; and Professor Cathal Kelly, CEO/Registrar, RCSI.
An RCSI delegation which included Professor Cathal Kelly, CEO/Registrar; Professor John Waddington, Department of MCT (Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics); and Dr Helena Kelly, School of Pharmacy, travelled to Suzhou and joined in the signing of this historic agreement with officials from Soochow University including Professor Xinghong Jiang, Vice-President of SU and Professor Xuechu Zhen, Dean of the College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, SU.
Speaking on the occasion Professor Kelly commented, "We have received a very warm welcome from the President, the Vice-President and Faculty of Soochow University, and we look forward to deepening our strong collaborative relationship which will provide excellent opportunities for student, staff and institutional development."
This formal collaboration will be further advanced this summer with an international student exchange programme, RCSIs first International Research Summer School (IRSS), where six undergraduate students from each institution will participate in eight-week research projects in the host Principal Investigator (PI) laboratories. RCSIs students include representatives of the Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy from the Dublin campus and from the School of Medicine at RCSIs Bahrain campus, who will exchange with counterparts from the Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy in SU.
Pictured (l-r) is Professor Xinghong Jiang, Vice President International Affairs, SU welcoming Professor John Waddington to Soochow University as adjunct Professor of Pharmacology in the College of Pharmaceutical Sciences
The IRSS is being organised by the School of Pharmacy in co-operation with Dr Sarah ONeill (MCT and Director of the RCSI Research Summer School) and Dr Garry Duffy (Anatomy), who will act as PI representative. RCSI PIs Professor Fergal OBrien (Anatomy), Professor Donal OShea (Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry), Dr Steve Kerrigan (School of Pharmacy and MCT), Dr Marian Brennan (MCT), Dr Cathal Kearney (Anatomy) and Dr Helena Kelly will host the visiting students.
The project was led in RCSI by the School of Pharmacys Professor Paul Gallagher, Dr Helena Kelly and Dr Liam Burke with strategic governance from Professors Cathal Kelly, Hannah McGee, Mr Michael McGrail and in SU by Professor Zhen. This collaboration developed from staff visits funded through Science Foundation Irelands International Strategic Collaboration Award (ISCA) programme and through Professor Waddingtons longstanding connection with Professor Zhen. This visit also marked the commencement of Prof Waddingtons joint appointment as Professor of Pharmacology at Soochow University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
RCSI is among the top 50 most international universities in the world (Times Higher Education University World Rankings, 2014-15). It is a not-for-profit health sciences institute which focuses on education and research to drive positive change in all areas of human health worldwide. RCSI is headquartered in Dublin and is a recognised College of the National University of Ireland. In 2010, RCSI was granted independent degree awarding status by the State, which enables the College to award degrees alongside its traditional powers to award licentiates.
Founded in 1900, Soochow University is ranked in the top 5% of Chinese universities and is located in the ancient city of Suzhou in Chinas Jiangsu province, a densely populated and industrialised region close to Shanghai. SU is one of the Jiangsu provincial key comprehensive universities with over 4,000 faculty members including 1,100 professorships. It now has three major campuses covering an area of 2,705,000 square meters with a total building area more than 182 million square meters. SU has a strong culture of internationalisation and has collaborations with over 100 universities in 30 countries.
Professor Fergal Malone, Professor and Chairman of the RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Rotunda Hospital, has been appointed as the next Master and Chief Executive Officer of the Rotunda, for a seven year term. Fergal, a Waterford native, will be the 39th consecutive Master of the Rotunda since its inception in 1745.
Professor Fergal Malone
A graduate of UCD, Fergal worked as a consultant at Columbia University Medical Centre in New York where he directed one of the largest high risk obstetric programmes in the United States, specialising in advanced obstetric ultrasound, prenatal diagnosis, multiple gestation management, and the care of women with challenging obstetric problems. In the United States he directed world class research for the National Institutes of Health, including the renowned FASTER Trial which documented the optimal series of prenatal tests for foetal abnormalities. He returned to Ireland in 2005, after 14 years in the US, when he was appointed Professor and Chairman of RCSIs Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology which is based at the Rotunda.
Professor Malone has worked at the Rotunda for the past ten years and will take up this new position next year, replacing Dr Sam Coulter Smith as Master of the Rotunda Hospital, the oldest maternity hospital in the world.
