BIOMEDICAL sCIENCE AND eNGINEERING

On this page:
Introduction
National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science
Regenerative Medicine Institute
Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials
Centre for Bioanalytical Sciences
Nanoscale Biophotonics Laboratory 

Introduction

Biomedical Science and Engineering is a major research priority for the university and includes academic researchers fromdisciplines across the Science, Engineering and Informatics, and Medicine, Nursing, & Health Sciences Colleges and associated research institutes. The National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES), is the Institutional umbrella Institute representing NUI Galway's Biomedical Science and Engineering research programmes. NCBES-associated Institutes and Centres include the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), the Centre for BioAnalytical Sciences (CBAS), the Clinical Sciences Institute (CSI), as well as the recently established Network of Excellence in Functional Biomaterials (NFB), the Glycosciences Research Cluster (GRC), Galway Cancer Institute (GCI), Centre for Chromosome Biology, and the Institute for Biomedical Informatics (IBI).

Significant research clusters have been developed in Biomedical Engineering, Cancer,* Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine in addition to programmes in biopharmaceutical sciences, glycosciences, biomedical informatics, and infection and immunity.

Biomedical Engineering incorporates biomechanics, biomaterials, tissue engineering and bioelectronics research into joint collaborative research projects focused on musculo-skeletal and cardiovascular research.

The Cancer research theme is developing a functional understanding of cancer, its cellular and molecular basis, the biology of tumours, and the translation of biological knowledge into new and effective diagnostic markers and treatments. Three basic research areas have been established in Genome Stability, Apoptosis, and Cell Signaling. The development of strong collaborative linkages with clinical cancer researchers at University College Hospital Galway (UCHG) facilitates the translation of new discoveries into clinical application (bench-to-bedside).

Neuroscience incorporates research on behavioral and whole systems neuroscience, understanding neurodegeneration, neuroprotection and regeneration of the nervous system, and applied clinical neuroscience. High calibre new recruitments as well as international collaborations are adding significant strength and research leadership in this area.

Regenerative Medicine research combines the technologies of gene therapy and adult stem cell therapy with the aim of regeneration and repair of tissues. The unique feature of this research is the novel integration of both therapies in a complementary research and development programme. It includes translational research programmes in cardiovascular disease, orthopedics and rheumatology, neuro-ophthalmology, gastrointestinal disease and respiratory disease.

Some of the Biomedical Sciences & Engineering major Institutes and Centres are outlined here.

National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES)

Research at the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES) at NUI, Galway, is focused on innovative therapeutic solutions to current medical challenges including cardiovascular disease, orthopaedics, reproductive medicine, and cancer. The NCBES is an interdisciplinary centre of research excellence, which brings together scientists, engineers, information technologists and clinicians in a team-based, problem-centred approach to research. The Centre currently hosts nearly 400 members, including academic staff, full-time researchers and post-graduate students.

Recent News:
NUI Galway Postgraduate Researcher Awarded Fellowship in The Netherlands Read more
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis Discussed at Neuroscience Conference Read more
NUI Galway Celebrates 20 years of Biodiagnostics R&D Read more 
Funding of € 3.5 Million Brings 'Critical Mass' to NUI Galway Cancer Research Read more
Cancer Scientist Brings Expertise from Italy to NUI Galway Read more

Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI)

* The Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) is a world-class biomedical research centre focused on organ and tissue repair rather than replacement. REMEDI is a partnership involving scientists, clinicians, and engineers in academic centres and in industry and is based at NUI, Galway. In state-of-the-art facilities, researchers at REMEDI work together to combine the technologies of gene therapy and adult stem cell therapy with the aim of regeneration and repair of tissues. The unique feature of the research carried out at REMEDI is the novel integration of both therapies in a complementary research and development programme. The Institute is located at the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science and incorporates the National Cell and Gene Vector Laboratory, a GMP grade cell production facility.

Recent News:
Major EU-funded Research Initiative in Stem Cell Technology at NUI Galway Read more
Leading Personalities Endorse Public Forum on Osteoarthritis Read more 
New Research into Use of Stem Cell Therapy to Fight Blindness Read more

Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB)

The Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB) brings together scientists, engineers and clinicians working on a single research platform to develop the next generation of biomaterials to provide solutions for current clinical needs. NFB is developing new nanoscale technologies to deliver biomolecules such as genes, peptides, drugs to specific target sites within the body. The specific disease areas include cardiovascular, neural, soft tissue repair, orthopaedics and ophthalmic. The research being carried out NFB has ramifications in the medical device, diagnostics and pharmaceutical industrial research sectors. The ultimate goal of NFB is to see its work translated to a clinical setting.

Recent News
£1.3 million Cross-border Research Project in Functional Biomaterial Research Read more

Centre for BioAnalytical Sciences (CBAS)

Research at the Centre for BioAnalytical Sciences (CBAS) is aimed at refining the next generation of biopharmaceuticals by developing new technologies and analytical methods for biopharmaceutical products and processes. The aim of the Centre is to provide a clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms as a basis for the identification of novel therapeutic targets in specific tissues and cell types. This project is an academic-industrial collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Dublin City University. The areas being developed in Galway are spectroscopy and chemometrics, electroanalytical methods, and glycosylation analysis.

Nanoscale Biophotonics Laboratory (NBL)

Research at the Nanoscale Biophotonics Laboratory (NBL) is developing the next generation of analytical tools for industries such as medical device manufacturing and the pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors. The aim of the NBL is to use advanced optical and spectroscopic methods for quantitative measurements of complex systems right down to the single molecule level.  The NBL has an extensive range of spectroscopy and microscopy equipment available in-house. Specific projects involve studying biomedical polymers, protein-surface interactions, chemometric method development, and advanced microscopy.

*Images of MRI Brain Scan and Carbon Nanotubes to Repair a Broken Heart by Dara Cannon and Emma Mooney

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