VOLUME 1 ISSUE 5 SCHOOL OF AND CELL BIOLOGY NEWSLETTERMARCH 2014

have the potential to offer major opportunities as well as Message from Head of School presenting enormous challenges. In this issue

th February 28 was a red-letter day for this School as a Not to be outdone, a number of other PhD students Relay for Life total of 35 students graduated with MSc’s and 4 with have since successfully completed their PhD viva voce Biochemists in a Beautiful World PhD’s at the SEFS conferring ceremony held in Áras examinations and will be graduating next summer. Spring Conferrings na Mac Léinn. This is a testament to the hard work of Upcoming Events the students themselves, and also, their lab mates and I hope you find this Newsletter interesting and that it supervisors who helped them through their project helps keep you in touch with the School of Biochemistry Hot Off the Press work. and Cell Biology.

In particular, it is noteworthy that of the 12 students who graduated at this conferring represented the first ever cohort of the MSc in Molecular and Cell Biology with Professor David Sheehan Bioinnovation organised by Dr Maryanne O’Donovan and Dr Kellie Dean. This MSc is a new taught programme that we plan to develop further into the future. The conferring was addressed by Rear Admiral Mark Mellet, the highest-ranking officer in the history of the Naval Service, who delivered a thoughtful and stirring speech around the idea of “constructive disruption”. He proposed that we are living through a time when novel SCHOOL(some as-yet unthought of) “disruptive” technologies PAGE 2

With students and staff from the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Team Mad Scientists participated in Donations to sponsor the second Relay for Life UCC, on Friday, 28th February, Team Mad Scientists in 2014, in support of the Irish Cancer Society. Relay for Life UCC can Relay for Life is a 24-hour walking relay, with relays taking be made online at http:// place throughout the year and around the world, to raise funds in the fight against cancer. Despite the cold and www.mycharity.ie/event/ rain, particularly overnight, the team was there for the madscirelay4life2014 full 24 hours! Together they have raised close to €400 TEAMfor the Irish Cancer Society, and you can still support our team either through our online donation site at: http:// www.mycharity.ie/event/madscirelay4life2014

Very well done and thanks to:

Caroline Vaughn (PhD student in Dr Justin McCarthy’s group) Ioanna Tzani (PhD Scholars Programme in Cancer MADBiology; Atkins group) Stephen Geary, Chris Hickey, Natasha Leeuwendaal and Rebecca Sheehan (MSc in Molecular Cell Biology with Bioinnovation) Gavin King (3rd-year Biochemistry) Stephen Geary, MSc in Molecular Cell Biology with Bioinnovation and Dr Paul Yound,

Dr Kellie Dean (Team Captain) Team Mad Scientists School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology UCC Stephen Geary and Dr Paul Young, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology

SCHOOL OF BIOCHEMISTRY SCIENTISTSNEWSLETTER AND CELL BIOLOGY SCHOOL OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY

BIOCHEMISTS IN A BEAUTIFUL WORLD NEWSLETTER PAGE 3

Lysozyme crystals Homology model of Aquaporin

Professor Dave Sheehan and Professor Tommie Compounds project student, Stephanie Carmody. McCarthy of the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology Protein crystals are the starting point for determining atomic-level structures and 70% of the entries in the had their artistic work included in the ‘It’s a Beautiful protein databank (PDB; www.rcsb.org) originate in X-ray World’ exhibition in the Jennings Gallery at UCC (http:// diffraction patterns from protein crystals. www.ucc.ie/en/jennings-gallery) . This exhibition is a celebration of the beauty of science and of the world The second image is of a homology model of the around us and features a range of scientific images in transmembrane protein, aquaporin, which transports Professor Tommie McCarthy’s exhibition photograph is called “Louis’ Tattoo”. The tattoo is a major work different media including photography, paintings and water selectively into the cell. Water crosses cell of art on the arm of Louis-Charles Rainville, PhD student supervised by Professor Dave Sheehan. drawings from the world of Medicine, Science and the membranes only very slowly under normal conditions Natural Sciences. This exhibition runs until March 27th, but aquaporin facilitates rapid transfer which allows Continuing the transmembrane theme, Professor classical ABC transporter protein sitting in a lipid 2014. cells to quickly respond to changes in their water Tommie McCarthy displayed a photograph called “Louis’ membrane surrounded by water. Louis’ tattoo was requirements. This protein was discovered Tattoo”. The tattoo is a major work of art on the arm created in three parts between 2008 and 2011 over Professor Dave Sheehan and Professor Tommie quite by accident by Peter Agre of Duke of Louis-Charles Rainville. Louis has just completed three tattoo sessions. The total time involved was University who shared the Nobel Prize (2003) his PhD work using redox proteomics to explore the approximately eleven hours. Louis kindly agreed to McCarthy of the School of Biochemistry and impact of pollutants on a small freshwater crustacean, for with Roderick MacKinnon allow his amazing tattoo to be photographed and to Cell Biology had their artistic work included of Rockefeller University for his structure- the water flea under the direction of Professor Dave sacrifice a lab coat in the process! The shot was taken PEOPLEfunction work on potassium channels. Water Sheehan and will have his PhD viva shortly. Prior to his in the ‘It’s a Beautiful World’ exhibition in in a decommissioned cell culture hood in the Lee the Jennings Gallery, UCC molecules pass through the hole in the PhD work, Louis completed a masters in Oceanography middle of the structure and it is amazing that at Université du Québec à Rimouski in Canada on ABC Maltings. The tattoo is also used as a strong visual aid a small molecule of just three atoms requires transporters in marine microalgae. The properties (how could you forget it!) in teaching on lipid bilayers Professor Dave Sheehan had two images on display. such a gigantic protein to transport it through the cell of water have always interested Louis as well as the and transporter proteins. Both the aquaporin image One of these is photograph of crystals of the enzyme membrane. Also, this pore protein is highly selective for structure and function of proteins and this passionate and Louis tattoo made the Six One News on RTE1 the INlysozyme grown by a Chemistry of PharmaceuticalTHE water and will not allow other solutes to pass through. interestNEWS inspired Louis to get the tattoo which depicts a day after the opening of the exhibition. news the in People SCHOOL OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY

SPRING CONFERRINGS NEWSLETTER PAGE 4

Three groups of students graduated at the SEFs Spring Conferring on 28th Feb in Aras na Macleinn.

Twenty three students graduated with MSc () degrees in the programme coordinated by Dr Justin McCarthy while twelve graduated with MSc (Molecular Cell Biology with Bioinnovation). This programme was developed in conjunction with the HEA-funded PRTLIV structured PhD programmes in Molecular Cell Biology and the HRB-funded PhD structured programme in Cancer Biology. Courses developed for the first structured year in these PhD programmes were used as a basis for the new MSc, thus supporting the sustainability of these highly successful graduate training programmes. Coordinators of training for these PhD programmes Drs Kellie Dean and Maryanne Donovan developed this Dr Anmol Kiran unique MSc programme as a joint venture between this School, the School of ANMOL KIRAN Microbiology (Dr. John Morrissey), the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience Dr Justin McCarthy pictured with some MSc in Biotechnology graduates. Thesis Title: Identification (Dr. Aideen Sullivan), and Business Information Systems (Dr. Brian O’Flaherty). of RNA editing in human Students had the opportunity to combine courses in cutting edge molecular cell exom and development of biology with business and MSc in Biotechnology graduates darned database. entrepreneurship as well as Supervisor: Dr Pasha a scientific research project. • Fatimah Alzahrani Baranov The MSc programme • Sai Arojju • Eoghan Collery Coordinator Professor AUDREY MANNION- • Sinead Cremin Rosemary O’Connor MICHEL • Mary Drennan commented; “ We are Thesis Title: Visualising • Alison Hardgrove delighted with the overall ribosome profiling and • Shauna Kearney structure and content of • Avijeet Kumar using it for reading frame • Philip Lecane this new MSc programme. Dr Cora O’Neill, Dr Audrey Mannion-Michel and Professor detection and exploration Dave Sheehan, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology • Alice McCarthy It has attracted an excellent of eurkapyotic translation • Eoin Moynihan cohort of students, initiation. • Kay Muldowney and importantly, their • Christopher Nash Supervisor: Professor John Atkins and • Matthew O’Riordan Dr Kellie Dean, Dr Cora O’Neill and Dr Maryanne Donovan, feedback to us has been PEOPLESchool of Biochemistry and Cell Biology Dr Pasha Baranov. • Raghu Peddapatla exceptionally positive” • Claire Porter CHRISTINE O’CARROLL • Ciara Reynolds PhD graduates Thesis Title: Investigation of toll-like • Kritarth Seth receptor plasticity in the regulation of • Daniel Sheehan • Cormac Tobin inflammation. DESMOND BRENNAN • Amit Tomar Thesis Title: Integrated genetic analysis systems. Supervisor: Dr Ruaidhri Carmody and Dr Christine O’Connell and Professor Dave Sheehan • Gary Williamson INSupervisor: Dr Paul Galvin and ProfessorTHE Tommie McCarthy Professor Tommie McCarthy NEWS• Bhagya Yeluri news the in People SCHOOL OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY

SPRING CONFERRINGS NEWSLETTER PAGE 5

Congratulations to the MSc in Molecular Cell Biology with Bioinnovation class of 2014!

On Friday February 28th, the first class graduated from our MSc programme in Molecular Cell Biology with Bioinnovation. Families, friends, lecturers and professors and were all present to applaud the graduates. As members of our inaugural class, they have learned with us as we developed

Pictured from left to right: Lillian Fennell, Emer O’ Shea, Michael Power, Niamh O’ Flynn, Siobhan Brosnan, Dr. Kellie Dean, the programme and the school is very Aoife Richardson, Rachel Farrar, Louise Mansfield, Conor Brennan and Brian Duffy. In absentia: Dean Rowe and Chris Spearman. proud of their hard work over the past twelve months. We wish them well in their future careers, warmest PEOPLEcongratulations!

Lillian Fennell, Emer O’ Siobhan Brosnan, Niamh O’ Flynn Rachel Farrar and Conor Dr Paul Young, Louise Mansfield, Dr Kate Foley, Shea and Michael Power and Aoife Richardson Brennan Anita Maguire and Joan Lenihan IN THE NEWSnews the in People SCHOOL OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY

UPCOMING EVENTS NEWSLETTER PAGE 6

Upcoming Seminars Tuesdays at 1.00pm Western Gateway G01 “Forensic biology: current and future challenges”

Dr Louise McKenna, Forensic Science Laboratory, Dublin. Western Gateway G01, Tuesday 11th March at 1.00pm “The therapeutic role of Cannabinoids in Multiple Sclerosis: a new story Toll’d”

Dr Eric Downer, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, UCC. Western Gateway G01, Tuesday 25th March at 1.00pm “Too much of a good thing: How immune effector signalling pathways contribute to anti-viral UPCOMINGdefence, tumour suppression and immunopathology”

Dr Ken Nally, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, UCC. Western Gateway G01, Tuesday 8th April at 1.00pm EVENTSUpComing Events SCHOOL OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY

UPCOMING EVENTS NEWSLETTER PAGE 7 Application Deadline for Biophysical Techniques for the Biochemical Society Probing Biological Systems

Training Course: In vitro biophysical techniques have 1st April 2014 contributed hugely to the understanding of mechanism and function of macromolecules, particularly proteins but also nucleic acids. A general limitation for in vitro structural and mechanistic studies often lies in the lack of awareness of what the appropriate technique and experiments might be and this problem is rooted in a lack of exposure of researchers to the practical benefits of the techniques. The UK is a world leader in using these types of techniques, and the Centre for Molecular and Structural Biochemistry (CMSB) at UEA has a long tradition of excellence in the UK and internationally.

The aim of the training meeting is to increase awareness of the power of biophysical techniques. The meeting is aimed at PhD UPCOMINGstudents and PDRAs who may have little previous (or a thus far relatively narrow) experience, but who are interested in answering specific biological questions by applying biophysical techniques. Over the course of one and a half days, attendees will take part in four practical modules, as well as a feedback and discussion session. EVENTSUpComing Events SCHOOL OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY

UPCOMING EVENTS NEWSLETTER PAGE 8

(Queen Mary College, London), Ann McDermott British Biophysical Society 2014 Biannual Meeting (Columbia University), Daniel Nietlispach (). Young Researchers “New Frontiers in Biophysics” Young researcher are particularly encouraged to submit their abstracts, as approximately 50% of An exciting programme of poster sessions and two parallel scientific sessions across a wide range of all talks will be selected from the submissions. biophysical techniques and systems. Oral Flash presentations will preceed the Poster session. The meeting will feature FOUR plenary (Chairs: Louise Serpell, Adam Squires) lectures by: • Single Molecule imaging Bursaries • Professor Sir John Walker FRS (Chairs: Mark Leake, Rob Cross) Student travel bursaries are available for BBS • Scattering / Hydrodynamics (MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit) members, and travel/subsistence students • Professor Gabriel Waksman FRS (Chairs: David Scott, Olwyn Byron) for young scientists (PhD/first post-doc) from (University College London) • EM / Tomography • Professor Ernst Bamberg (Chairs: Elena Orlova, Robert Ford) countries in Europe that are in need of support. UPCOMING(Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Hamburg) • Self Assembly Important Dates • Professor Wolfgang Baumeister (Chairs: Sheena Radford, Dek Woolfson). (Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry, May 1st 2014 for early bird registration. Reduced Martinsried) Confirmed Speakers include: registration for BBS Members. Helen Saibil (Birkbeck College, London), Joseph http://britishbiophysics.org.uk As well as sessions on: Marsh (EMBL, EBI), Andrew Turberfield (University • Probe microscopy/AFM of Oxford), Todd Yeates (UCLA), (Chairs: Stephanie Allen, Phil Williams) • Membrane proteins / Magnetic resonance Jennifer Potts (University of York), (Chairs: Anthony Watts, Ann Dixon) Tuomas Knowles (University • Modeling and theory of Cambridge), Wei-Feng Xue (Chairs: Mark Rodger, Jonathan Essex) (University of Kent), Akihiro Kusumi EVENTS• Fibrous structures (Kyoto University), Ewan Main UpComing Events SCHOOL OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY

HOT OFF THE PRESS! RECENT PUBLICATIONS NEWSLETTER PAGE 9

Recent Research Publications Notice

from this School Any material for inclusion in the Sellami, B., Khazri, A., Louati, H., Boufahja F., Dellali, M., next newsletter should be sent to Sheehan D., Aissa, P., Ridha Driss, M., Mahmoudi, E., the editor, Professor David Sheehan. Beyrem, H. (2014) Effects of permethrin on biomarkers in Please email [email protected] the Mediterranean clam Ruditapes decussatus. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology ( doi: 10.1007/s00128-014-1225-6).

HOT OFFAny material for inclusion in the THE next newsletter should be sent to the editor, Professor David Sheehan. Please email [email protected]

PRESSRECENT Publications