Annual Report 2003
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> ANNUAL REPORT 2003 CONWAY INSTITUTE OF BIOMOLECULAR AND BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH The mission of the Conway Institute is to promote knowledge, health and economic advancement though excellence in biomolecular and biomedical research. CONTENTS > ANNUAL REPORT 2003 CONWAY INSTITUTE OF BIOMOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH LETTER FROM PRESIDENT, University College Dublin 2 LETTER FROM CHAIR, Board of Management, Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research 3 FOREWORD BY DIRECTOR, Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research 5 CONWAY INSTITUTE OVERVIEW 6 Research Programme 6 Funding 6 Research Centres 7 Management 7 RESEARCH OUTCOMES 9 Key Performance Indicators 9 Publications 9 Grant Income 9 Postgraduate Thesis Submissions 9 HIGHLIGHTS 10 New Appointments 11 Programme Grant Awards 14 High Impact Publications CENTRE REPORTS 15 Centre for Synthesis & Chemical Biology 15 Dublin Molecular Medicine Centre 15 CONWAY INSTITUTE TODAY 18 An Innovative Research Building 18 Technology 18 Education Programme 18 Discipline Integration & Technology Transfer Seminar Series 18 Information 19 Communication 19 Technology Transfer & Commercialisation 19 CONTACT US 21 Address/telephone/email/web 21 Directorate Team Details 21 Location 21 APPENDIX Grants Awarded 22 Publications by Investigator 29 Thesis Submissions 45 Lectures in Discipline Integration & Technology Transfer Series 2002/2003 46 ONE LETTER FROM DR. ART COSGROVE, >President, University College Dublin ANNUAL REPORT 2003 CONWAY INSTITUTE OF BIOMOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH Dr. Art Cosgrove It is with great pleasure that I introduce the first formal Annual Report of the Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research. The Conway Institute is the flagship research enterprise at University College Dublin. The Institute gathers together a critical mass of life sciences researchers, with complementary expertise and skills; their shared objective is to understand in greater detail the root causes of a number of important diseases and through this to develop more effective treatments. The funding made available by the Higher Education Authority under the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions has provided these researchers with world-class laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment. These facilities equal those available anywhere else in the world, which allows the Conway Institute to continue to attract the very best scientists and students, who will contribute greatly to the research and educational milieu at UCD. The very existence of the Conway Institute is a tribute to those in public life who share a vision that, through consistent strategic investment in research, we can foster a knowledge economy that will safeguard our social and economic development. The researchers at the Conway Institute will make a fundamental contribution to turning this vision into a reality. This is an exciting time for the Conway Institute as the research activity, which has previously been carried out at various campus and off-campus locations, is consolidated in a wonderful new building. This annual report outlines the very impressive achievements to date. We can look forward to even more significant advances in coming years. The Institute was named after Professor E. J. Conway, F.R.S., one of the most distinguished scientists in the history of UCD. I am confident that the activities and achievements of the Conway Institute are a fitting tribute to his memory. Dr. Art Cosgrove President University College Dublin TWO LETTER FROM MR. DENIS BROSNAN, >Chairman, Conway Board of Management ANNUAL REPORT 2003 CONWAY INSTITUTE OF BIOMOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH Mr. Denis Brosnan I am delighted to present the first Annual Report of the Conway Institute. The Board of Management of the Conway Institute formally met for the first time on July 2, 2002 taking over from an interim Board, which had carefully and successfully overseen the early development of the Institute. This annual report brings to a close the first chapter in the development of the Conway Institute. Dr. Andy Robertson served as Director from August 2000 to May 2003 and, in this time supervised the completion and equipping of the new research building, reorganised the scientific activities of the Institute and developed strong partnerships with other third level institutions. The Board wishes Dr. Robertson every success in his new post as Professor and Head of the School of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences at the University of Surrey. The Institute, now firmly established, is moving into a new phase of development. It is critically important that, to ensure growth and competitiveness, an ongoing, stable investment in research infrastructure and activity is maintained. The Board and the Institute must justify this investment by clearly articulating the successes, benefits and outcomes to date and defining a strategic plan for the future. The most important objective in the coming year will be to develop and publish a clear strategic plan, which will ensure the development of the Institute and plot the route to success. The objectives are clear. The Conway Institute will be internationally recognised as an important centre for research in several key areas; it will have a reputation for excellence in teaching and training; it will form close and productive relationships with industry and will be acknowledged by the public as an important contributor to our social and economic development. Great progress has been made, yet much more can be achieved. Mr. Denis Brosnan Chairman Board of Management Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research THREE CONWAY INSTITUTE OF BIOMOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH ANNUAL REPORT 2003 FOUR FOREWORD BY DR. PHILIP NOLAN, Acting Director, Conway Institute of Biomolecular >and Biomedical Research ANNUAL REPORT 2003 CONWAY INSTITUTE OF BIOMOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH Dr. Philip Nolan, Acting Director, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research This Annual Report outlines the achievements of researchers at the Conway Institute for the period from July 1st 2002 – June 30th 2003. We have so far exceeded the targets set for the Institute in the original proposals under the Programme for Research in Third- Level Institutions. Given that the physical infrastructure, laboratories and equipment to support the Conway Institute are only nearing completion, it is clear that the spirit of cooperation and collegiality created through the Institute has already galvanised research activity. Now that many of the researchers involved in the Institute are gathered together under one roof, with world- class facilities and equipment at their disposal, I am confident that the next few years will see new, significant and exciting developments arising from our research programme. We pursue our research in a wider context – public funding for research is predicated on there being significant benefits to society, in areas such as health, education, economic development and social gain. The Conway Institute is committed to realising these benefits. Excellence in research is fundamental. Equally, strong partnerships with industry, close links with academic medicine as a vital component of a quality health service and an ongoing commitment to teaching and learning at all levels are essential if that excellence is to be of value to the community that supports our work. These considerations must form the basis for our strategic planning. Dr. Philip Nolan, Acting Director, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research FIVE CONWAY INSTITUTE OVERVIEW >Development of the Conway Institute ANNUAL REPORT 2003 CONWAY INSTITUTE OF BIOMOLECULAR & BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH The Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research is physicians working in the Conway Institute and affiliated hospitals a major new research enterprise at University College Dublin, are making important contributions to our understanding of the named after Professor E.J. Conway, the first Chair in Biochemistry causes and consequences of diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and Pharmacology at UCD. The research programme at the Conway disease, cardiovascular and lung disorders as well as breast and Institute focuses on biological molecules; examining how individual prostate cancer. molecules contribute to the normal operation of cells and organs and how this can be disrupted by disease. The knowledge gained Crucial to the success of the Conway Institute is the development improves our understanding of the causes and effects of disease, of strong external partnerships. These include: which leads to simpler, more reliable diagnostic tests and innovative, more effective treatments for human and animal disorders. • Dublin Molecular Medicine Centre (DMMC), a partnership with Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and the Royal College of Surgeons Founded in 1999, the Conway Institute received funding from the in Ireland (RCSI). Higher Education Authority and private donors through the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions. The total • Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, which brings funding committed to date amounts to 284 million. together expertise in chemical biology from UCD, TCD and RCSI. RESEARCH PROGRAMME FUNDING The Institute has drawn together a research team from such diverse The Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research scientific backgrounds as chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, received funding from the Higher Education Authority and a private physiology, medicine, surgery, engineering,