Research Groups
Mitochondrial Biology & Radiation Research
The Mitochondrial Biology and Radiation Research (MBRR) Group was formed in November 2008, following the awarding of an SFI Stokes Lectureship to the head of MBRR, Dr James Murphy. The research team is within the School of Science in the Institute of Technology Sligo and it has research offices and 6Om2 of state-of-the-art research space in the Business & innovation Centre on the IT Sligo campus. The group’s custom-built lab space includes state of the art proteomics and molecular biology equipment, a cell culture facility as well as a sunlight simulator and a high-energy VHF radiowave generator. The group presently consists of the Principal Investigator, Dr James Murphy PhD, and 4 other members, each at various stages of their PhD studies, involved in lab-based research work full time. The primary research interests of the group may be summarised as Radiation Biology and Mitochondrial Biology. At present, the Radiation Research in the group employs non-ionising radiation, including sunlight radiation (using a solar simulator to model the UV radiation contained within natural sunlight) and Radio Frequency (RF) Electromagnetic Field (EMF) radiation. The group aims to shortly acquire an X-Ray Irradiator and expand on going research to include modelling the bio-effects of ionising radiation. MBRR has a strong track record in mitochondrial biology and on going research in this area includes determining subtle changes in mitochondrial dynamics as well as mitochondrial function and mitochondrial DNA in skin cells following low-level, sub-lethal simulated sunlight exposure. The group is also evaluating and developing the potential of RF as both a stand-alone cancer therapy and also as an adjunct therapy. MBRR is currently funded by both Science Foundation Ireland and by the Radiowave Therapy Research Institute in Western Australia.
Centre for Sustainability
The Centre for Sustainability was established in February 2001 at Institute of Technology , Sligo. The Centre is a location for interdisciplinary, integrated research on issues of sustainability. It will co-ordinate focused research groups, from the Engineering, Science and Business and Humanities schools.
The establishment of the Centre is a natural development of the Institute’s long track record in environmental education and research. Postgraduate research at the Institute currently includes environmental monitoring and analysis, advanced environmental analysis, wastewater treatment, remediation of contamination, sustainable development, sustainable tourism, environmental economics and public attitudes to the environment.
- The aims of the Centre are:
- To promote interdisciplinary research on issues of sustainability
- To enhance the learning experience of post-graduate students, through the promotion of an interdisciplinary research culture
- To facilitate the integration of the outcomes of various research streams
- To support researchers in administration of sustainability research
- To support researchers in dissemination of the outcomes of sustainability research
- To act as a reference point and information centre on issues of sustainability To develop and participate in networks of, and strategic alliances with, organisations working in areas of sustainability
- To support the development of undergraduate modules and courses in sustainability
The Centre for Sustainability will maximise the scope and potential contribution of its activities by entering into strategic alliances with other groups or institutions with similar aims.
Strategic alliances may take the form of:
- Agreements to share information, or the outcomes of research
- Agreements to share resources
- Joint research projects
- Facilitation of researchers from the strategic partners
- Other alliances that the Board deems appropriate
It is expected that most of the collaborating institutions within existing research programmes will become formal strategic partners of the Centre for Sustainability.
Currently the main Centre for Sustainability research programme are the biosolids projects.
Centre for Biomolecular Environmental and Public Health Research
Introduction
The Centre for Biomolecular Environmental and Public Health Research is a multidisciplinary research and education centre, committed to leadership in the field of biomolecular environmental health research. Based at the Institute of Technology, Sligo, and founded in 2007, the centre collaborates with researchers, scientists and stakeholders across various disciplines to advance knowledge on environmental health research for the 21st century both in Ireland and internationally.
The priorities of the Centre are to:
- Demonstrate and develop sustainable advanced, quality biomolecular research in strategically emerging important areas of environment and public health;
- Engage in collaborative research with other scientists at home and abroad;
- Educate students, staff and external learners both in theory and practice;
- Secure equipment and instrumentation for students at IT Sligo;
- Involve state agencies and other relevant bodies;
- Inform stakeholders in cogent terms on regional, national and international research issues;
- Establish partnerships with environmental and health agencies, as well as business concerns and thus provide an applied endpoint to the Centre’s research activities;
- Develop and evaluate strategies to provide the highest quality education on public health;
- Assess national and internationally available scientific funding and resources;
- Promote developments in research via workshops, literature and media;
Members and Roles within the Centre for Biomolecular Environmental Public Health Research
There are three permanent Centre members with defined individual roles:
- Dr. Frances Lucy – Programme Director (Email: lucy.frances@itsligo.ie)
- Dr. Michael Broaders – Scientific Director (Email: broaders.michael@itsligo.ie)
- Dr. Michelle Connolly – Technical Director (Email: connolly.michelle@itsligo.ie)