Neuroscience Research at our Department

 Dr Andreas Grabrucker writes :

In our research, we generate model systems to understand neurobiological processes of brain development and function.  Once the pathomechanisms of brain diseases are identified, we aim to develop targeted interventions, i.e., using Nanotechnology. In past projects, we worked on the role of the bio-metal zinc as an environmental factor implicated in Alzheimer’s Disease and used the insights gained from our model systems for the development of innovative drug-delivery systems.

Our latest chapter, just published in the Elsevier book "Protein Homeostasis Diseases", discusses how zinc binding to amyloid β and tau influences aggregation and therapeutic opportunities.

Also, in another chapter, just published in the Elsevier book "Advances and Avenues in the Development of Novel Carriers for Bioactives and Biological Agents", discusses how novel nano carriers may open new therapeutic opportunities.

the EUdaphobase project

Biologists and data experts from 30 European countries gathered at Senckenberg Research in Frankfurt to translate data into knowledge to protect soil function and biodiversity. The meeting was organised by COST Action EUdaphobase. Seven groups are working on a wide range of themes such as data harmonization and collection, identifying ecological traits from soil organisms, creating user-friendly interfaces for the edaphobase data warehouse, improving data modelling and assessment and for the first time combining microbiological and micro/meso-fauna data. The Irish representative from UL, Dr Achim Schmalenberger is involved in the working group that deals with the challenge to import environmental and sequencing data from microbiological analyses from across Europe into edaphobase. 

For more information, please see here and here

 

Eco-Neurobiology, and How the Environment Shapes Our Brains

About the Author

Dr Andreas M. Grabrucker received his MSc in Biology with a focus on Genetics from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany, in 2005. After obtaining his PhD in Molecular Medicine from Ulm University, Germany, he continued his research at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, USA. He is a tenured Lecturer at the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Limerick, Ireland, and a member of the Bernal Institute and the Health Research Institute of the University of Limerick. His major research focus is translational neuroscience, and he has published nine book chapters and over 49 articles in scientific journals.

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More info about the book is here.

Autism Special Interest Group @ UL

The Autism Special Interest Group at the University of Limerick (Autism@UL SIG) is an interdisciplinary group of people with a focus on autism: researchers, therapists, family members, as well as representatives of autism family organisations in and around Limerick. Within UL the group includes senior Principal Investigators, early career researchers and PhD students from across the University’s faculties and institutions including the Bernal Institute, CSIS, Education, Health Research Institute, the School of Allied Health, KBS and PESS.

The Mission of the group:

-           Develop a collaborative multidisciplinary network of research active academics focused on advancing the vision of Autism@UL SIG,

-           Creating a UL autism-friendly campus and a UL autism-friendly work environment;

-           Organizing and campaigning for autism-related events and initiatives;

-           Attract National and International funds as well as activate international collaborations to research autism;

 -          Foster highly trained PhD graduates.

You can find more information here