Welcome to the National Centre for Sensor Research

News Archive

Date	Speaker	Title	From
** 16 Dec 09	Dr. Nicole Pamme	Magnetic attraction and repulsion - harnessing magnetic forces for lab-on-a-chip applications	University of Hull
25 Nov 09	Prof. Cornelius F. Ivory	Four-Dimensional Separations	Washington State University, Pullman WA, USA
** 17 Nov 09	Prof. Bert Gordijn	Nanomedicine & Ethics	Chair of Ethics and Director of the Institute of Ethics at DCU
** 23 Oct 09	Prof. Paul Harrison	New Assays for monitoring platelet function & microparticle analysis	Oxford Haemophilia & Thrombosis Centre
9 Oct 09	Prof. Gordon Wallace	Functional Electromaterials: Overcoming the materials processing and prototype fabricaiton bottleneck	University of Wollongong, Australia
8 Oct 09	Catherine Theodoropoulos	In Vivo Micro-Imaging for Small Animal Research	VisualSonics
**2 Oct 09	Dr. Hugh Fan	Can a Lab be Shrunk into a Chip?	ETS Walton visiting professor at the BDI & Associate Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Florida
24 Sept 09	Prof. Mike Ramsey	Nanofluidic Devices for Characterising Single Molecules of DNA	Department of Biomedical Engineering UNC Chapel Hill and NC State University
* 7 Sept 09	Prof. Jean-Louis Viovy	A few examples of lab-on-chip approaches for diagnosis	Institute Curie in France
10 June 09	Dr. George Mallliaras	Organic Bioelectronics	Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell University and the Director of the Cornell NanoScale Facility
* 14 May 09	Prof. Martin Hegner	Nanomedical Diagnostics	Trinity College Dublin
11 May 09	Dr. Pat Brereton & Dr. Fiona Regan	Environmental Science, Image & Reality	Dublin City University
07 Apr 09	Carole Collet	Textile Futures	Central Saint Martins College
* 02 Apr 09	Dr. Andreas Heise	Polymers Inspired by Nature: Synthesis and Applications	Dublin City University, School of Chemistry and TU Eindhoven, Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry
27 Mar 09	Dr. Matthias Hilder	Printed Electroactive Materials: Self-Powered Sensors and pH Sensing using Radio-Frequency Detection	CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) Division of Materials Science and Engineering (CMSE), Australia
* 23 Mar 09	Dr. Scott T. McGovern	Conducting Polymers - biologically compatible functional materials	ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Australia
10 Mar 09	Dr. Andrew Marrs	Molecular Catalysts, Recycling and Cascading with Bugs and Ionogels	Centre for the Theory and Application of Catalysis, Queens University Belfast
05 Mar 09	Dr. Brian Ward	Developing Technology for Advancing the Study of Upper Ocean Physics and Air-Sea Interaction	National University of Ireland, Galway
* 25 Feb 09	Dr. Shane Bergin	Carbon Nanotubes - Shaken not Stirred	School of Physics, Trinity Collge Dublin
* 28 Jan 09	Dr. Enrico Marsili	Extracellular electron transfer in viable bacteria: characterization and bioelectricity production	NCSR and School of Biotechnology DCU
14 Jan 09	Prof. Godfrey Beddard	Photoinduced Electron Transfer in DNA	Chemical Physics at University of Leeds, UK

* UNCSR Organised Seminar
** BDI Seminar Series

Invention Disclosure Awards - 16th December 2009

The Annual Invention Disclosure Award ceremony was held on 16th December 2009 in the Helix. These awards were set up by Invent
DCU to publicly recognise the researchers who work with Invent to protect and commercialise their research. The awards were a great
success with attendance of over 80 researchers on the day from various Schools and Faculties.

The ceremony was officially opened by Richard Stokes, Director of Invent and the awards were presented by Professor Eugene
Kennedy, Vice-President for Research. There were a total of 39 Invention Disclosures with each group receiving a prize of €200. An overall prize of €1000 was also awarded in each of the categories of Physical/Chemical Sciences; Life Sciences and ICT/Engineering.
Congratulations to Dr. Brendan O’Connor, Dr. Michael O’Connell, Dr. Paul Clarke and Dr. Roisin Thompson, from the School of
Biotechnology and the NCSR who won the Overall Award for Physical /Chemical Sciences for their invention disclosure entitled ‘Novel Lectins from the PA-IL Family of Prokaryotic Lectins with specificity for Terminal ß-Galactose & their Application for Glycan & Glycoconjugate Analysis and Purification’.

The Overall Award for Life Sciences went to Prof. Oliver Dolly, Dr. Jiafu Wang, Dr. Jianhui Meng (ICNT) for their invention disclosure on ‘Targeted biotherapeutics for chronic pain’.

The Overall Award in ICT/ Engineering went to Prof. Noel O’Connor & team (Electronic Engineering) for commitment to successful commercialisation, invention disclosures, patenting activity and innovation partnerships. Overall NCSR based research received 15 of the 39 Invention Disclosures Awarded, 38% of the overall awards. Congratulations to all.

UNCSR Annual General Meeting - 9th December 2009

The UNCSR Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held in S206 on the 09th December. An overview of UNCSR events during the past year was presented and a new committee elected. The new members are as
follows;

• Chairperson - Dr. Yuliya Shakalisava
• Vice Chairperson - Dr. Ram Prasad
• Treasurer - Dr. Damian Connolly
• Academic Events Reps - Dr. Robert Byrne & Dr. Salzitsa Anastasova
• Social Events Rep - Dr. Fernando Benito-Lopez
• Webmaster - Dr. Rob Copperwhite
• Marketing Officer - Ms. Caroline Barry

If you have any suggestions or ideas for events that the UNCSR could host during the year, please contact any of the members listed
here.

NCSR at the DCU Open Day - 20th & 21st November 2009

The DCU open days were held on November 20th and 21st. Both the NCSR and the BDI manned separate stands at the event. The
BDI promoted their Education & Outreach programmes, while the NCSR promoted researcher careers. Open day’s are a vital element in attracting students to DCU and a footfall of approximately 6,000 was recorded during this year’s event.

Nanomubiop Project Meeting - 27th October 2009

The 1st Year Meeting of the FP7-funded Nanomubiop Project (Enhanced Sensitivity Nanotechnology - based Multiplexed Bioassay Platform for Diagnostics Applications) was hosted by the NCSR on October27th 2009. The project is co-ordinated by Hospitex Diagnostics, Italy and there are 8 partners involving input from academic institutions, research institutes and biomedical companies. The project aims to develop an enhanced multiplexed bioassay platform based on silica nanoparticles, in order to be able to detect multiple genotypes for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is linked to the occurrence of cervical cancer, in order to achieve an improvement over current technology. The DCU programme is led by Prof. Colette McDonagh and Prof. Brian MacCraith. The DCU role is the design, fabrication and functionalisation of silica nanoparticles, carried out by Dr. Jessica Labeguerie-Egea, for implementation of the multiplexed assay. The meeting was attended by 25 participants representing all 8 partners.

During the course of the meeting they were very impressed by the excellent NCSR meeting rooms and facilities. Apart from the main business on Tuesday, the participants enjoyed some Irish culture on Monday night where prospective Riverdance talents were identified among the participants!

Participants of the 1st Year Meeting of the FP7 funded Nanomubiop Project

NCSR 10th Anniversary and UNCSR First Annual Symposium - 22nd October 2009

The NCSR held a one day internal symposium in the Helix to celebrate 10 years since it’s establishment. The symposium was run in conjunction with the UNCSR, who hope to run a similar event on an annual basis. The NCSR was established in 1999 with funding from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) as part of the first Programme of Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI). Approximately €12million was awarded to DCU for infrastructural developmen t , buildings and equipment. This provided the space and equipment necessary for hosting large-scale projects, and was a significant factor in the subsequent success of NCSR researchers attracting very substantial external funding. To date this funding has exceed €50million and has facilitated large scale long term collaborations with both national and international academic institutions and a significant number of industrial partners. In 2008 the United National Centre
for Sensor Research (UNCSR) was established as a means of promoting and encouraging communication between members of the NCSR. The UNCSR aims to provide a platform for NCSR members to showcase their research through organised events, eg, eminars and workshops, and to strengthen the sense of community and belonging within the NCSR by hosting social events. In its first year, the UNCSR has organised and hosted an number of successful activates including, monthly seminars, table-quizzes, weekends away and a summer barbecue. The symposium was opened by Prof. Dermot Diamond, NCSR Director, who gave an overview and history of
the centre. There were four sessions with a total of 14 presentations given during the day. A poster session, where 50 posters were presented, took place during lunch. Each of the sessions included talks from across the range of disciplines that comprise the NCSR.

These are chemistry, physics, biotechnology and engineering. The
organisers of the symposium strived to represent as many esearch areas within the NCSR as possible, throughout the day.

An excellent standard in presentation, both in the oral and poster sessions, was maintained during every element of the symposium. The range of talks and the sheer quantity of posters stood as a testament to the quality and range of research being carried out in the NCSR. The symposium provided NCSR members with a unique opportunity to gain an insight into the work being carried out within the Centre.

Congratulations to Ms. Lynda Cosgrave who won the award for best
oral presentation and to Ms. Christina Doherty who won the award for best poster. An iPod Touch was presented to both winners by Prof. Diamond, who also closed the symposium.

Ms. Lynda Cosgrave receiving her prize for best presentation from Prof. Dermot Diamond

Lynda is a member of Prof. Tia Keyes’ research group and Christina was one of this year’s Beaufort Undergraduate Research Interns supervised by Dr. Yuliya Shakalisava and Prof. Dermot Diamond.

Judges also gave a special mention to a number of outstanding entrants in both categories. For the oral presentations they are:
• Shirley Coyle
• Antóin Lawlor
• Gregor Kijanta

For the poster presentations, special mentions go to:
• Silvia Scarmagnani
• Mary Fox
• Paul Conroy

Ms. Christina Doherty receiving her prize for best poster from Prof.
Dermot Diamond

Following the symposium attendees were treated to dinner in the Old Bar in the Hub. After dinner, a band comprised NCSR and DCU members provided entertained. A mix of rock, folk and blues was delivered by Dr. Colm Mallon (Prof. Tia Keyes’ group) on lead guitar and saxophone, Dr. John Mallon (Dept. of Engineering) on base guitar, Mr. Damien McGuirk (School of Chemical Sciences) on
drums and Mr. Mark Kelly (DCU Alumni) on keyboard. There was also special accompaniment by Dr. Yuliya Shakalisava (School of Chemical Sciences) on accordion. All in all, a great nights entertainment.

Overall the event was a great success wi th many NCSR memb er s
commenting on the huge variation of research being carried out within the centre. The organisers would like to extend their gratitude to all who helped out in any way, especially, the scientific committee, the judges for the oral and poster sessions, session chairs, staff in the Helix, TriSpace, the UNCSR committee,NCSR administration staff and all those who participated.

US-Ireland Awards - 16th October 2009

Four US-Ireland R&D partnership projects valued at €7m were announced at an event hosted by the US Ambassador to Ireland in Dublin on the 16th October 2009, with NCSR PI’s eceiving 50% of these awards. The event saw the Minister for Labour Affairs Dara Calleary gather with the Minister for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland Sir Reg Empey and Ambassador Dan Rooney to announce the successful projects on behalf of the US Ireland R&D Partnership. The partnership was established to develop innovations leading to economic development and improvements in nanotechnology, health promotion and disease prevention by bringing together expertise from academic institutes in the US, Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is led by a steering group of
senior representatives from each jurisdiction, with InterTradeIreland providing the secretariat for the group on the island of Ireland.

A research project involving Dublin City University (DCU) Prof. Greg Hughes, the Tyndall Institute at University College Cork Dr. Paul Hurley, Queens University Belfast (QUB) Dr. David McNeill and The University of Texas at Dallas Prof. Robert Wallace was one of the four projects supported through the US-Ireland Scheme. The project will explore the use of new semiconductor materials with the potential to create more energy efficient transistors for information and communication technologies.

The Science Foundation Ireland / Invest Northern Ireland / National Science Foundation funded US-Ireland partnership programme has supported a new collaboration between researchers in Dublin City University (DCU), Queens University of Maine(UM), University, Belfast (QUB), the University of Maine (UM), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), South Carolina. This partnership combines the expertise of both the National Centre for Sensor Research at DCU with the Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use (QUB), in antibody generation, marine toxins and surface plasmon resonance-based immunosensors, with UM’s Department of Marine Resources and the Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology’s well developed microbial analysis and microfluidics capacities, and the Marine Biotoxins Progam at NOAA.

Pictured at the US Ireland Partnership Event were, L to R: Dr. David McNeill (Queens University Belfast),Dara Calleary (Minister for Labour Affairs), Prof. Greg Hughes (Dublin City University) and Dr. Paul Hurley (Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork)

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Pictured members of BEACONS Research Consortium for left to right; Laurie Connell (University of Maine), Rosemary Smith (University of Maine), Richard O’ Kennedy (Dublin City University), Julie Meneely (Project Manager, Queen’s University),Greg Doucette (NOAA), Chris Elliott (Queen’s University) and Edwina Stack (Dublin City University)

The project “Biosafety for Environmental Contaminants using Novel Sensors” or BEACONS aims to generate a rapid and inexpensive algal detection system for use in coastal monitoring programs, by developing in situ sensors for the marine environment. The BEACONS collaboration presents a unique opportunity to produce and apply sensor–based assays for detecting biotoxins and the corresponding toxigenic organisms. A major focus of the project for DCU is the detection of both the heptapeptide toxins, microcystins, which are produced primarily by freshwater cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), and paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins, produced by dinoflagellates. The detection of these marine biotoxins is of great significance since they exhibit major toxicity leading to huge losses in shellfish production and associated human health impacts. The NCSR research team, including
Professor Richard O’Kennedy, Dr. Caroline Murphy and Edwina Stack, are responsible for producing highly sensitive and novel recombinant antibody fragments and incorporating them into a microfluidicsensing platform and, in the longer term, it is hoped to commercialise this research.

Innovation Dublin - 14th - 20th October 2009

Innovation Dublin is a week-long festival of events highlighting and promoting innovation in the city and takes place from the 14th-20th October. As part of Innovation Dublin, there are a number of events taking place throughout the week in DCU. One such event is a poster session in the foyer of the R&E building outlining research excellence and innovation from CSETS, including CLARITY and the BDI. The poster session takes place on the 19th & 20th from 9am-5pm on both days. For more information on Innovation Dublin please go to www.dcu.ie/strategy/innovation_dublin.shtml.

International Ion Chromatography Symposium - 21st - 24th September 2009

The 21st International Ion Chromatography Symposium (IICS) was held in the Grand Hotel, Malahide from the 21st—24th September. The conference was organised by the CASSS—An International Separation Science Society, and chaired by Prof. Brett Paull and co-chaired by Dr. Mirek Macka, both members of the NCSR. Each year, the leaders of the specialised applied technology known as ion chromatography, gather at the IISC to report on advances in the basic technology and applications, as well as future directions of Ion Chromatography and Capillary Electrophoresis. This years programme, boasted the largest number of invited and submitted oral and poster presentations since 2003 and showcased the latest developments and applications in ion analysis, together with a number of enjoyable social activities tailored to facilitate maximum interaction and discussion amongst delegates. In addition to the usual oral and poster sessions, a number of expert delivered short courses and workshops were included in the symposium programme, covering such diverse topics as method development in ion chromatography, statistics for analytical chemists and detection options. Overall the conference was a huge success with over 160 national and international delegates from academia, industry and government bodies attending. Congratulations to all involved with organising this event. The proceedings of IICS 09 will be published in a special issue of The Journal of Chromatographic Science.

(L-R) Mr. Ugis Danilevics (Poster prize runner up),
Dr. Katya Nesterenko (Poster prize winner) and Mr. Tomasz Piasecki,(Poster prize runner up)

SCI Conference: Advanced Materials for Sensor Design - 17th September 2009

The Society of Chemical Industry hosted a one day workshop on the 17th September in the NCSR. This meeting brought together industrialists and academics involved in both the preparation of novel materials and their use in more accurate and selective sensors. The workshop included of range of topics including Design and fabrication of gas sensors based on nanostructured active layers, Novel materials for biomedical diagnostics and Improving MOS sensor discrimination using zeolite transformation layers. Overall the conference was a huge success for the organisers. Congratulations to all involved in the event.

(L-R) Prof. Martin Hegner, CRANN, Trinity College Dublin,Dr. Nick Gathergood (Chair SCI ROI group), Mr. Declan Moran (NCSR, Centre Manager), Prof. Brian MacCraith (Director, BDI), Prof. Xavier Correig, Rovira i Virgili, University of Tarragona, Dr. Michael Schaferling, University of Regensburg, Dr. Gordon Armstrong (Secretary, SCI Materials Chemistry Group), Ms. Ayo Afonja, University College London, Prof. A. Prasaana de Silva, Queens University Belfast, Dr. David Birkett (Secretary SCI ROI group and Treasurer Materials Chemistry group)

International Symposium on Functional Nanomaterials - 10th & 11th September 2009

The first ‘International Symposium on Functional Nanomaterials’, was hosted by the NCSR on the 10th and 11th September. This two day event brought together over 60 delegates from China, Australia, the USA and Europe, to present the latest advances in nanomaterials research. The symposium was sponsored by SFI, Sigma-Aldrich, the Royal Society of Chemistry and CLARITY. The event was officially opened by Prof. Eugene Kennedy (DCU’s Vice President for Research) and Prof. Dermot Diamond (Director of the NCSR, and CLARITY PI). The talks began with an entertaining and enlightening talk by Prof. AP De Silva from Queens University Belfast. Prof. Lo Gorton from Lund University in Sweden followed with his talk entitled, The Effect of Nanostructured Carbon Electrode Surfaces on the Percentage of Adsorbed Redox Enzyme Molecules in Direct Electron Transfer Contact. Industry representatives, Dr. Robert Allen (IBM Almaden Research, California) and Dr. Thomas Phely-Bobin (Foster-Miller, Massachusetts) also addressed delegates on the first morning of the conference.

The latter part of day one comprised of talks given by Dr. Alan Dalton (University of Surrey), Dr. Donal Leech (NUI Galway), Prof. Jonathan Coleman (CRANN, Trinity College Dublin), Prof. He Tian (East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai), and Dr. Michael Higgins (Intelligent Polymer Research Centre at the University of Wollongong, Australia). The first day of the conference ended with a drinks reception and dinner in the 1838 Club, with the National Chamber Choir entertaining guests.

A further four sessions were held on the second day of the symposium with presentations including; Nanostructured electrode materials in biosensors and biofuel cells by Prof. Wolfgang Schuhmann (Ruhr University Bochum, Germany), Designing materials from Nanoscale Building Blocks; The search for Flexible Transparent Conductors by Prof. John Boland (Director CRANN), Non-cyclic Fluorescent Sensors with High Sensitivity and Selectivity by Prof. Xuhong Qian (East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai), and Can man-made nanomotors compete with biomotors?, by Prof. Jo Wang (University of California San Diego).

Dr. Thomas Phely-Bobin, Prof. Dermot Diamond and Dr. Robert Allen

Dr. Emer Lahiff and Prof. Dermot Diamond (both NCSR), Prof. Gareth Redmond (University College Dublin), Dr. Stephen Bell (Queens University Belfast), Prof. Jim McLaughlin (University of Ulster), and Prof. Jim Rusling (University of Connecticut), completed the day’s sessions. The meeting ended with the launch of WANDA, a robotic fish developed in a collaboration between CLARITY and the Intelligent Polymer Research Centre (University of Wollongong Australia). After the launch, joint winners of the best poster prize were announced.

Congratulations to Dr. Susan Boland (NUI Galway) and Dr. Izabela Jurewicz (University of Surrey) who each won €100.

Overall the conference was a huge success for its organisers Dr. Emer Lahiff, Ms. Angela Lally and Prof. Dermot Diamond. Congratulations to all involved. Details of the conference along with a photo gallery can be found by clicking here.

Delegates at the International Symposium on Functional Nanomaterials

CBAS Change - 31st August 2009

The Centre for BioAnalytical Sciences (CBAS) has successfully completed the four years of its applied research programme. A basic research programme will continue in DCU through collaborative research between Prof. Harry Holthofer and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS) and thus maintaining the existing relationships. CBAS was set up as a biopharmaceutical research collaboration between pharmaceutical multinational Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Dublin City University (DCU) and the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). The Centre was funded jointly by BMS and IDA Ireland. CBAS was established to provide a national resource for researchers working in fundamental cell biology and the biopharmaceutical industry sector, developing the new sciences and techniques needed to understand the dynamics of bioreactions involving, for example, the selective generation of specific therapeutic agents in the complex, but relatively controlled environment that exists in large-scale bioprocess reactors.

The CBAS programme involved a total of 40 staff, including 16 postdoctoral fellows, 17 postgraduate students, 2 Research Chairs (1 in DCU and 1 in NUIG), 2 senior scientists specifically recruited by BMS and support staff. A key feature of the programme was the placement of 7 Bristol Myers-Squibb employees in the Universities as part of the research team. The Centre developed new technologies and methods for biopharmaceutical products and processes that lead to efficiencies in biopharma production at BMS and other companies in the biologics field. This programme was an important milestone for industry-university collaboration as it was the first such funded IDA Ireland initiative targeting Multinational Corporations undertaking collaborative research in Ireland.

Scientists from BMS worked on each campus and within BMS in a way that brought the partners together to provide positive and practical results for the Irish economy. The particular focus for CBAS research has been on analytical methods for rapid screening of a wide variety of biomaterials associated with biofermentation processes, ranging through amino acids, peptides, carbohydrates and cellular matter, but with particular emphasis on large molecules, such as glycoproteins.

Fast separation techniques coupled with information rich detection schemes (e.g. tandem MS-MS, Q-TOF, and optical spectroscopic methods) were applied to the analysis of macro-biomolecules of pharmaceutical interest.

Currently discussions are ongoing for a BMS funded research programme that will exploit the intellectual property developed within CBAS and we hope to be able to make an announcement on this in the near future. In addition, 2 SFI Strategic Research Clusters have been funded on the basis of the track record of CBAS and the excellence of the PIs. These are in the areas of Separation Science (DCU) and Glycoscience (NUIG) and have significant industrial participation. Over €2.5 million has been committed from a combined industry participation of over 20 companies.

The legacy of CBAS will continue in DCU through the Irish Separation Science Cluster (ISSC), led by Prof. Brett Paull, the basic research programme being undertaken by Prof. Harry Holthofer and the exploitation and development of the CBAS intellectual property that will ultimately lead to spin out companies and significant benefits to Ireland. Furthermore, the CBAS model of targeting the best academic expertise to solve concrete questions important for research-intensive industry remains a valuable intangible asset, which will be actively pursued.

The journey continues...

CBAS members from Dublin and Galway at Guinness to mark the completion of the four year programme

UNCSR Barbecue - 28th August 2009

The United National Centre for Sensor Research (UNCSR) hosted a Summer Barbecue for members of the NCSR on Friday 28th August in an extension of their traditional Friday evening drinks. The barbecue, held in the Matt Weldon pub, proved to be a huge success with over 170 members of the NCSR attending. A vast range of good food was served up outside, while a DJ and a singer entertained indoors into the small hours of the morning. Everyone who attended was entered into a draw for an iPod Nano and congratulations to Zarah Walsh, from Dr, Mirek Macka’s research group who won the prize. We would like to thank the UNCSR committee for organising such a great event.

NCSR members enjoying the UNCSR summer barbecue

Hamilton & Beaufort Symposium - 19th August 2009

This years Hamilton/Beaufort Symposium was held on 19th August to mark the conclusion of this round off of the Hamilton and Beaufort scholarships. During the symposium each of the students delivered excellent presentations describing the research projects they had carried out over the ten-week duration of the programmes. The event concluded with each of the students being presented with their Hamilton/Beaufort certificates The scholars’ posters were on display and there was an opportunity for the scholars to answer questions regarding their research. The NCSR would like to congratulate each of the students on the successful research they carried during the summer. We would also like to thank the students supervisors and particularly the BDI Education and Outreach team, for all their assistance.

(L-R) Oshoke Ikpekha, Christina Doherty, Slavica Koprivica, Mary O’Sullivan and Jonathan Collins, this years Hamilton and Beaufort Scholars

News Archive 2009

Congratulations to Dr. Fiona Regan who appeared in a feature about the DEPLOY project on RTE’s Six O’Clock and Nine O’Clock news bulletins on the 18th August. The DEPLOY project co-funded by the EPA and the Marine Institute, builds on outputs of the SmartCoast project through the integration of environmental monitoring technologies at 5 monitoring stations located on the River Lee in Cork. The key objectives of the DEPLOY project include the demonstration of state-of-the-art technology for environmental monitoring in a river system over one year, the demonstration of a reliable and versatile monitoring system and the demonstration of an economically prudent approach to monitoring that achieves a reasonable cost of ownership. Congratulations to Dr. Regan and all involved in this research. For more information on the Deploy project please go to www.ids-deploy.com, to view the news clip please go to click here.

News Item - 18th August 2009

PDMS Course - 21st - 23rd July 2009

The NCSR, together with the ISSC, held a “PDMS for beginners” course and workshop from the 21st-23rd July. During day one, theory such as “Introduction to lab-on-a-chip”, “Microfabrication Methods”, “PDMS Chip Fabrication” and “Analytical methods and applications” was addressed. On the second day of the course, the students visited the clean room and labs where they were they were given the opportunity to put the theory they had learned into practice. The final day drew the course to an end and allowed the course organisers, Fernando Benito-Lopez, Zarah Walsh, Fei Chen, Maricar (Kristy) Gutierrez, Marisol Salgado and Mirek Macka, to evaluate the programme. Overall the course was a huge success with over 20 members of the NCSR who attended, giving the course a 90% satisfaction rating. Congratulations to all involved.

Members of the NCSR in the cleanroom during the recent PDMS course

Outstanding Graduate Researcher Awards - 30th June 2009

Congratulations to Noeleen Loughran, Jianghui Meng and Carla Meledandri, this years recipients of the Faculty of Science and Health’s Outstanding Graduate Researcher Awards. The awards ceremony was held on the 30th June in the atrium of the Nursing building. Noeleen is a member of the NCSR and is jointly supervised by Dr. Brendan O’Connor, Dr. Ciaran Fagan and Dr. Mary O’Connell. Her research is centred around the molecular evolution of heme peroxidases incorporating both in silico and in vitro analyses. She has recently returned from working in the Carver College of Medicine at the Universty of Iowa, USA, where she conducted research in collaboration with Prof. William Nauseef, a recognised expert in the field. Noeleen is the sixth member of the NCSR to win this award in its short four year history

(L-R) Carla Meledandri, Noeleen Laughran, Prof. Malcolm Smyth
and Jianghui Meng

(L-R) Dr. Brendan O'Connor, Prof. Malcolm Smyth, Noeleen
Laughran, Dr. Mary O'Connor and Dr. Ciaran Fagan

George Malliaras's visit to the NCSR - 10th June 2009

George Malliaras, visited the NCSR on 10th June and presented a seminar entitled, Organic Bioelectronics. Dr. Malliaras is an Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell University and the Director of the Cornell NanoScale Facility. He received a BS from the Aristotle University (Greece) and a PhD, cum laude, from the University of Groningen (the Netherlands). His research on organic semiconductors and devices has been recognized with awards from the New York Academy of Sciences, the National Science Foundation, and DuPont. He is a co-author of 100+ publications in peer-reviewed journals that have received over 3,500 citations. He serves as the chairman of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Materials Chemistry.

Dr. Fernando Benito Lopez, Dr. Roisin Owens, Dr. George Malliaras and Dr. Robert Byrne during Dr. Malliaras's Visit to the NCSR

Seminar Abstract: The coupling of electronics with living tissue holds the key to a variety of important life-enhancing technologies ranging from bioelectronic implants that record neural signals to sensor arrays that utilize living cells as the biorecognition element. Key to these technologies is a fundamental understanding of electrical communication at the interface between electronic materials and living cells. Organic electronics – a technology that relies on carbon-based semiconductors to deliver devices with unique properties – seems to be ideally suited for the interface with biology. The “soft” nature of organic materials offers better mechanical compatibility with tissue than traditional electronic materials, while their natural compatibility with mechanically flexible substrates suits the non-planar form factors often required for biomedical implants. More importantly, their ability to conduct ions in addition to electrons and holes opens up a new communication channel with biology. I will review recent progress in the field and subsequently focus on two emerging areas: (a) The development of biosensors using conducting polymer transistors, and in particular their integration with microfluidics to create multi-analyte sensors, and, (b) the development of active substrates for cell growth, in which a potential applied on a conducting polymer substrate controls cell density and morphology.

Welcome to Dr. Barbara Fogarty - 8th June 2009

The NCSR would like to welcome Dr. Barbara Fogarty, the National Co-ordinator for Advanced Marine Technology. Barbara has a degree in Environmental Science and Technology from Sligo Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in Environmental Analytical Chemistry from Limerick Institute of Technology. In 2002 she moved to the U.S. to carry out Post Doctoral Research in the Dept. of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Kansas. She returned to Ireland in 2005 to join the Life Sciences Interface Group in Tyndall National Institute. Barbara, based in the NCSR, will network nationally with researchers, teams, centres, companies and agencies working in advanced marine technologies. Her responsibilities include; the creation of a national multi-disciplinary and industry-orientated research grouping in the area of sensors and communication technologies and the delivery of innovative technology-based solutions/applications to targeted marine-related sectors.

Dr. Barbara Fogarty

BDI joins forces with Cornell University & UUJ to host International Workshop - 4th & 5th June 2009

On June 4-5, BDI, in association with Cornell University Nanobiotechnology Center (NBTC) and the Nanotechnology & Integrated BioEngineering Centre at University of Ulster (NIBEC), hosted an international workshop on “Nanotechnology-Enabled Sensors & Diagnostics”. The workshop sought to bring together leading international researchers in the nanobio field to identify areas of potential collaboration. The primary objective of the workshop was the development of proposals for US-Ireland R&D Partnership & FP7 funding.

The two-day event, held on campus in DCU, was attended by approximately 100 scientists, mainly from the organising partners but also from TCD, UCD and DIT. Session chairs included NBTC Director Prof Harold Craighead, NIBEC Director Prof. James McLaughlin & BDI Director Prof Brian MacCraith. Officials from Science Foundation Ireland and Enterprise Ireland were also in attendance. The event was successful in stimulating a number of collaborative proposal and attractive press coverage in both the Irish Times Business Supplement on Friday June 12th and the Irish Times Health Plus Supplement on Tuesday June 16th.

(L-R) Prof Brian MacCraith (BDI), Prof Harold Craighead (NBTC), Prof Jim McLaughlin (NIBEC), Prof Ferdinand von Prondzynski (DCU President)

Third Congress on Ionic Liquids (COIL-3) - 31st May - 4th June 2009

Congratulations to Simon Coleman, in collaboration with Dr. Robert Byrne and Prof. Dermot Diamond, who was recently awarded a prize in the theoretical/physical chemistry category at the third Congress on Ionic Liquids (COIL-3) conference held in Cairns, Australia from the 31st May to the 4th June. The winning poster was entitled Investigating nano-structured domains within ionic liquids: the effect of cation change on thermal equilibrium and relaxation of spiropyranand spirooxazine. Their prize was sponsored by the Australian journal of Chemistry.

Mr. Simon Coleman receiving his Poster Award from Prof. Doug McFarlane ( Monash University)

Teaching & Learning Awards - 14th May 2009

Congratulations to Dr. Blánaid White, Dr. Aoife Morrin and Dr. Sonia Ramirez, who won the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in the ‘New Lecturers’ category. The President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching are presented to staff members who have made outstanding contributions to the teaching and learning mission of the University. Nominations are made by students and staff, which are then adjudicated by a panel appointed by the University Teaching and Learning Committee. There were over 50 nominations for this year's awards, the highest number in the history of the award. Congratulations also to Prof. Greg Hughes who was nominated in the Academic Category for teaching excellence.

Dr. Aoife Morrin and Dr. Blánaid White with their award

International Trade Delegation - 14th May 2009

A Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) led trade delegation, comprising the Indian Ambassador to Ireland, the Advisor and Nodal Officer for Ireland in DST, the Associate Director of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, a Scientist from the Department of Biotechnology, the Deputy Director General of Indian Meteorogical Department, the Directors of the National Institute of Technology in Karnataka and Tiruchirappalli and the Director of Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology in Nagpur, visited DCU on 14th May. During their visit, the delegation met representatives from the BDI and CLARITY. Trade delegations such as this are part of a process to develop stronger research links between Ireland and India.

QUESTOR Centre 20th Anniversary - 12th & 13th May 2009

The QUESTOR Centre was founded in 1989 and is the only centre outside of the United States to be a part of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Programme for Industry/University Co-operative Research Centres (I/UCRCs). The meeting marked the QUESTOR Centres 20th anniversary since it was founded.

On the 12th and 13th May 2009, representatives from Dublin City University took part in the QUESTOR Centres biannual Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) Meeting in Queen’s University Belfast. The QUESTOR Centre, based in Queen’s, represents an international centre with partnerships between industry, government agencies and academia for industry driven multi-discipline environmental research with a clear emphasis on technology transfer and exploitation.

Dublin City University joined QUESTOR as an Academic Partner in 2005 with expertise in sensor technology and analytical science and along with other academic partners in the United States, Canada, Germany, UK and Northern Ireland, undertake research projects that are led by the interests of the QUESTOR Centres member companies, ranging from large multinational companies to SMEs.

The first day of the IAB meeting provides networking sessions for member companies and researchers to discuss research ideas ahead of a summer 2009 call for project proposals from within the QUESTOR Centres academic and industrial partners. The first day also provides the opportunity for updates on the progress of QUESTOR to be discussed including the QUESTOR Centres successful application for a Marie Curie Initial Training Network, funded under the Framework Programme 7 (FP7) Specific Programme 'People'.

A reception and dinner in the Great Hall at Queen’s University concluded the first day of the meeting. At the dinner an array of speakers helped to celebrate the 20th anniversary of QUESTOR including Ms. Arlene Foster MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Northern Ireland; Dr. Alex Schwarzkopf, former Director of the National Science Foundation I/UCRC (Industry/University Co-operative Research Centres) Programme; Prof. Jim Swindall, founding Director of the QUESTOR Centre in 1989, Prof. Peter Gregson, Vice-Chancellor, Queen’s University and Dr. Wilson McGarel, Director of the QUESTOR Centre.

The second day of the IAB meeting provided the opportunity for a number of QUESTOR PhD students, including two students from DCU, to present an update on their projects progress since the last meeting in November 2008. Within DCU there are currently five ongoing PhD research projects in the areas of sensors for metal determination, fouling and corrosion and novel methods for combating it, waste water testing for pharmaceuticals & treatment, sensors for leaks in oil pipelines and sensing of volatiles.

Dr. Fiona Regan, National Centre for Sensor Research in DCU is the Co-ordinator for the QUESTOR Centre in DCU and attended the two day meeting along with other representatives from DCU including Prof. Dermot Diamond, Director of the National Centre for Sensor Research, Dr. Declan Raftery, Director of Research Support Services, Office of the Vice President for Research, Dr. Anne Morrissey, Dr. Brian Kelleher and Dr. Enrico Marsili, lecturers in DCU.

DCU has been a partner in the QUESTOR Centre since 2005 and currently has 5 PhD students engaging in industry led research in the area of environmental science and technology. This is an important model for future research activities were academic and industry partnerships will help build innovation and new enterprise.

Mr. James Chapman, Ms. Imogene Blignaut, Dr. Fiona Regan and Dr. Declan Raftery

Dionex Workshop - 8th May 2009

The Irish Separations Science Cluster (ISSC), hosted a half-day Dionex workshop entitled, Beyond UHPLC Workshop, on the 8th May in the NCSR conference rooms. The workshop focused on the fundamentals of UHPLC and Method Speed Up and took a detailed look at the newest advancements in instrumentation, column and software technologies to support ultra-fast, high resolution separations. The workshop also included a live Speed Up demonstration with an RSLC system. There were also presentations on the recently launched UHPLC modules from Dionex including Dionex VIPER fittings and U-3000 Quaternary UHPLC. For more information about Dionex please go to www.dionex.com.

Members of the NCSR at the recent Dionex Workshop

UNCSR Table Quiz -30th April 2009

The UNCSR hosted a table quiz, on 30th April, in aid of the Chernobyl Children’s Project International, in The Church Café Bar and Restaurant, Mary Street. The event was a great success with over 170 people competing for the fantastic prizes on the night. The winners were Pentagonal, who each won a bottle of vodka along with a hamper of books to share. Superawesome Team and Queens of Corona, finished in 2nd and 3rd place respectively. During the course of the evening there were numerous spot prizes and raffle prizes to be won, with a huge selection of items donated for the event. Due to the enthusiastic and generous contributions of people on the night, the UNCSR have raised €1,500 for the charity. This money will go towards supporting some of Chernobyl Children’s Project International’s key programme areas, such as medicine, sustainable/building and cardiac programmes. We would like to say a huge thanks to all who participated in the event and contributed so generously. Thanks also to each of our sponsors.

(L - R) Pentagonal, First Place, Superawesome Team, Second Place, Queens of Corona, Third Place

Vice-President for Learning Innovation - 16th April 2009

The NCSR would like to congratulate Professor Richard O'Kennedy, who was recently appointed as the Vice-President for Learning Innovation (OVPLI). The OVPLI brings together several University groupings, dedicated to supporting the quality of the University’s programmes and the experience of students at DCU. The Learning and Innovation Strategy, launched as part of DCU’s Strategic Plan: 2006—2008, highlighted student learning as a key priority for the University, enabling students to develop critical inquiry skills, facilitating individual learning styles, expanding DCU’s pioneering work on e-learning and distance learning and the provision of flexible learning choices through innovative, multidisciplinary programmes

Richard joined DCU in 1980 and was a founding member of the University and of the School of Biological Sciences. He has played a key role in the development of all aspects of the University, including course initiation, research, strategic planning and management. Richard was involved in sensor research from the 1980s. He assisted with the establishment of the BEST Centre (1995) and the NCSR (1999). In parallel with this prolific research activity, he has also shown a deep commitment to education, which was particularly evident in the development of the Masters in Biomedical Diagnostics degree, the UREKA programme and many schools initiatives within the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute. This award is fully deserved and as he is the only person to hold both the President's teaching and the President's research awards. It is a testament in itself to his selfless devotion to science.

Prof. Richard O'Kennedy

NCSR Interim Manager - 9th April 2009

The NCSR would like to welcome Mr. Kieran O’Dwyer as NCSR Interim Manager, until the position of Centre Manager is filled in the coming months. Kieran, a DCU Applied Physics graduate, has been heavily involved with the NCSR since it’s establishment in 1999. Kieran managed the Optical Sensors Laboratory (OSL) for over five years. In 2005, Kieran became Centre Manager of the Centre for BioAnalytical Sciences (CBAS). His role included the day to day running of CBAS in addition to the strategic development of the Centre. As well as submitting various research proposals to funding bodies including, FP7, IDA, HEA and SFI on behalf of CBAS, Kieran has managed CBAS to ensure highly effective teams of Principal Investigators, Postdoctoral and Postgraduate researchers. We look forward to working with Kieran during the coming months.

Mr. Kieran O'Dwyer - NCSR Interim Manager

Medical Representatives Institute of Ireland Workshop - 4th & 5th April 2009

The Medical Representatives Institute of Ireland (MRII), held a two day workshop for its members on the 4th and 5th April in the NCSR conference rooms. The workshop was an intensive revision course of the new pharmacology based MRII syllabus that is designed to update and upskill members in the industry. The related MRII membership exam is held annually in Galway. The MRII was established in 1982 by medical representatives as an educational body for those who are working as, or seeking to work as, medical representatives in Ireland. The Institute provides an opportunity for medical representatives to expand their knowledge of clinical practice, to discuss their experiences with colleagues in the pharmaceutical industry, to participate in social and sporting activities and to be part of an organisation which is actively involved in the advancement of it’s members careers. Membership currently stands at over 650 medical representatives, representing 60 pharmaceutical companies. The companies involved in April’s workshop were Bayer, Shire, Schering Plough, Innovex, Boehringer, Abbott, Pzizer, Ashfield, Clonmel Healthcare, Solvi, Ferning (Ferring), Fleetwood and EPT Engineering.

Delegates attending the recent Medical Representatives Institute of Ireland Workshop held in the NCSR

Carole Collet's visit to the NCSR - 2nd April 2009

Carole Collet, Course Director, MA Textile Futures and Researcher at Central Saint Martins College and Associate Director of the University of the Arts Textile Futures research Unit, presented her seminar, entitled Textile Futures, in the NCSR on 2nd April 09. Ms. Collet trained as a textile Designer and is a consultant in the area of textile print, R&D, sustainable design, and intelligent textiles. She was recently leading the Nobel Textiles project for Central Saint Martins College (sponsored by MRC UK) which links Nobel laureates to leading Textiles and Fashion designers. Her work has been exhibited at the Science Museum, the ICA and the V&A and she has contributed to conferences worldwide. To follow the work produced in the textile futures department at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design see www.textilefutures.co.uk and www.tfrg.org.uk.

Prof. Dermot Diamond, Ms. Carole Collet and Dr. Shirley Coyle

UNCSR Poster Competition - 27th March 2009

The UNCSR held a poster competition on 27th March to give our post-graduate and post-doctoral researchers the opportunity to present their research to their colleagues in the NCSR and the wider DCU community. In all, there were 30 posters presented. Congratulations to Dr. Leanne Harris, from BDI who won first pirze for her poster Development of an impedance-based cogaulation assay for monitoring heparin therapy, Dr. Aaron Hernandez-Santana, from the Bioanalytical Chemistry and Diagnostics group, won second prize for his poster New approaches in the detection of calcium phosphate crystals in synovial fluid, and Dr. Mohamed Oubaha, from OSL who’s poster 2-Photon Polymerisation of Hybrid Sol-gel Materials for Photonic Applications won third prize. The event proved to be a great success we would like to thank our three judges, Dr. Fiona Regan, Dr. Enrico Marsili and Prof. Jens Ducree. Thank you also to all those who presented posters and everyone who attended the event.

Dr. Leanne Harris, Dr. Aaron Hernandez-Santana and Dr. Mohamed Oubaha, receiving their prizes from Dr. Enrico Marisil

Matthias Hilder's Visit to NCSR - 27th March 2009

Dr. Matthias Hilder, visited the NCSR on Friday 27th March and as part of his visit, gave a presentation entitled, Printed Electroactive Materials: Self-Powered Sensors and pH Sensing using Radio-Frequency Detection. Dr. Hilder works for the electroactive materials group, which is part of the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) Division of Materials Science and Engineering (CMSE). Altogether CSIRO employs 6,500 staff members within 16 divisions Australia wide. The research is funded by both the Australian government and by industry. Dr. Hilder’s research group focuses on various aspects of electroactive materials. The key research areas are conducting polymers, sensors, radio frequency detection, electrolytes, metal composite films, security devices, energy harvesting and application of electroactive materials by printing techniques.

During his presentation, Dr. Hilder outlined his current work is on thin film batteries, comprising metal films, conducting polymers and ionic liquids. He also discussed sensors that incorporate conducting polymers as the sensing component, with a radio frequency device for monitoring conductance remotely. Due to the timing of his visit, Dr. Hilder also gained an enormous insight into the vast array of research being carried out in the NCSR when he attended the UNCSR Poster Competition.

Dr. Matthias Hilder (CSIRO), Dr. Aleksandar Radu (NCSR), Dr. Tanja Radu (NCSR) and Prof. Dermot Diamond (NCSR) attending the recent UNCSR Poster Competition

Irish Cancer Society Coffee Morning - 27th March 2009

The NCSR held a coffee morning on the 27th March in aid of the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day. Daffodil Day is an annual event held as a means of raising much needed funds to support nursing services in homes and hospitals across the country. This year €840 was raised. We would like to say a huge thank you to Trispace Catering who provide the tea, coffee, etc., all who participated, contributed and baked for this event. We would also like to thank Angela Lally for organising the event. For further information, or to make a contribution to this years Daffodil Day please go to www.plantadaff.ie

Members from the NCSR and the Faculty of Science and Health and the School of Engineering at the Coffee Morning

MarinERA Workshop - 26th March 2009

The Marine Institute held its 3rd MarinERA Workshop “New Developments in Marine Sensor Technologies: Opportunities and Challenges” in the National Centre for Sensor Research (Dublin City University) on the 26th March. The Workshop brought together leading European marine sensor researchers, representatives of European Research Funding Organisations and EU funded Technology Platforms and representatives of Marine Sensor SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises). The aim of the Workshop was to exchange information on new developments in marine sensor technologies and to identify the needs of industry (SMEs) and issues relating to technology transfer between public research laboratories and the private sector in order to better inform and influence evolving Member State Research Funding Strategies.

Prof. Dermot Diamond (NCSR) and Ms. Jan Gallagher (Enterprise Ireland) at the MarinERA Workshop

The Workshop included presentations from 11 international participants (France, Germany, UK, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Germany) and three Irish participants and was divided into three sessions: Cutting Edge Sensor Research; Member State Sensor Research Funding Programmes (Ireland, Spain, UK); Industry Needs and Technology Transfer (4 SMEs).

New developments and challenges to sensor research were identified. Barriers and enablers to cooperation between European researchers in different Members States and mechanisms to facilitate the up-take of research by industry to provide improved products and services were addressed. Critical gaps in the current research effort and how Funding Agencies can better support marine sensor research were identified.

The key findings from the Workshop will be summarised in MarinERA Report No. 10 and will be used to inform the MarinERA partners, who fund national Marine Research Programmes, and the European Commission on future marine sensor research priorities. Workshop presentations will be up-loaded shortly to the MarinERA website (www.marinera.net).

Please click on the links below for more information on MarinERA and the Marine Institute.

The MarinERA Project (2004-2009) (www.marinera.net) is an EU FP6 pilot ERA-NET (European Research Area Network) partnership bringing together 12 of the leading Marine Research Funding Organisations in Europe.

Delegates who attended the MarinERA workshop in the NCSR on 26th March.

CLARITY Seminar Series - 13th March 2009

The inaugural CLARITY seminar was held on the 13th March in the NCSR. Postdoctoral researchers Colum Foley, Ciaran O’Conaire and Martina O’Toole presented their own research. These presentations were followed by a question and answer session. Colum talked about Synchronous Collaborative Information retrieval, techniques and evaluation, and described systems such as Diamond Touch and iBingo. Ciaran described the TennisSense system and how this technology can be used to help produce world class tennis athletes. And Martina, who is a member of Prof. Dermot Diamond’s group, described a new integrated Paired Emitter-Detector Diode (PEDD) flow analysis device that has many advantages over conventional LED-photodiode systems including the low cost and broad spectral range. The event was a great success with over 40 people attending.

STEPS to Engineering - 9th March 2009

To celebrate International Women’s Day, STEPS to Engineering hosted student seminars in the Institute of Engineers of Ireland (IEI) Ballsbridge headquarters on the 9th March. Four seminars were presented altogether, of which two were given by CLARITY researchers. Eighty female students from schools all around Dublin were in attendance to hear about the fantastic work being carried out by female engineers throughout the world and about the opportunities available for women in engineering. Dr Breda Kiernan and Dr Shirley Coyle, from the Adaptive Sensors Group, gave a brief overview of their backgrounds and described the work they are doing in their exciting research projects; Breda in the area of environmental monitoring, and Shirley in the area of wearable technology.

Dr. Shirley Coyle at the STEPS to Engineering seminar in the IEI

Dr. Breda Kiernan at the STEPS
to Engineering seminar in the IEI

SFI Strategic Cluster Award - 25th February 2009

On February 25 2009, the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, Ms Mary Coughlan T.D. and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Jimmy Devins T.D. officially launched the Irish Separation Science Research Cluster in the Royal College of Physicians Kildare Street.

At the announcement, the Tanaiste said, “Science, while engaging and exciting, is also a fiercely competitive arena, and it is increasingly clear that a country’s economic fortunes are significantly dependent on its ability to conduct research that translates into economically-beneficial outcomes. The Government’s ‘Building Ireland’s Smart Economy’ framework prioritises continued investment in science and engineering infrastructure to assist with the creation of a thriving enterprise sector, high-quality employment and first-class infrastructure. The 170 highly skilled personnel involved in these SRCs, together with the 22 partner companies are central to achieving this”.

The Irish Separation Science Research Cluster, lead by Prof. Brett Paull, is an academia-industry collaboration involving Dublin City University, University College Cork, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Agilent Technologies, Dionex Corporation, Merck KGaA, Waters Technology Ireland Ltd and Pfizer Ireland. Dr. Mirek Macka and Dr. Brendan O’Connor are co-PI’s while Dr. Dermot Brabazon is a funded researcher for the cluster from DCU. Professor Jeremy Glennon heads the UCC team along Dr Miroslav Pravda and Dr. Dara Fitzpatrick as funded researchers. The granting of approximately €6.3m will create 7 new postdoctoral researcher positions, along with 16 PhD positions, 4 PIs including lead PI, 3 investigators and a number of administrative positions.

As part of the launch Prof. Frank Gannon from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) stressed the importance of this cluster to Ireland in that separations sciences provide the ability for production innovation, a key industrial requirement as capital investment tightens and the cost of operations is increasing.

This will have a direct impact on patients who need ever more advanced and personalised medications.From an Academic perspective Separation science is a supporting and enabling scientific discipline, facilitating and underpinning the diverse spectrum of technological advances, within all fields of science and engineering, which continuously and increasingly affect and shape all our lives, and the lives of those of generations to come.

Future developments within separation science will impact directly upon issues and activities such as environmental monitoring, health monitoring, food production and the new generation of pharmaceuticals, each of which are vital to the continued growth and development of leading Irish industries and the Irish economy as a whole.

The Irish Separation Science Cluster brings together a team of researchers from multidisciplinary backgrounds, spanning chemistry and materials, biotechnology and engineering, to develop the next generation of materials, methods and technologies to enable separation science overcome future challenges in the understanding and characterisation of complex biological systems, with particular emphasis being placed upon application within the growing biopharmaceutical and medical diagnostic industries.

(l-r) Mr. Padraig McDonnell, Agilent Technologies, Mr. Declan Moran, Bristol-Meyer Squibb Company, Prof. Brett Paull, NCSR, Prof. Jeremy Glennon, University College Cork, Dr. Mirek Macka, NCSR and Dr. Brendan O’Connor, NCSR at the ISSC Launch

Smartbay meeting NCSR - 11th February 2009

The Smartbay project will see a network of different kinds of sensors positioned throughout Galway bay in order to monitor the conditions of the ocean. This network is being developed by the Marine Institute as the first phase of a unique environmental test and development platform. On the 11th February, a number of representatives, from various Institutions across Ireland, met in the DCU to discuss the Smartbay project. .A number of the presentations from this meeting can be accessed by clicking on the names below. For more information about the Marine Institute or the Smartbay project, please click here.

International Conference on Trends in Bioanalytical Sciences and Biosensors - 26th & 27th January 2009

The Centre for BioAnalytical Sciences (CBAS) located in the NCSR hosted the first International Conference on Trends in Bioanalytical Sciences and Biosensors, ICTBSB. This was held in the Crowne Plaza hotel on the 26th and 27th January. The opening address was given by Prof. Harry Holthofer, Director of CBAS and Co-Chair of the Conference, with plenary sessions given by Prof. Anthony Turner from Cranfield University and Prof. GS. Wilson from University of Kansas. Day one concluded with an excellent meal in Clontarf Castle. Prof. Lokesh Joshi from National University of Ireland, Galway and Co-Chair of the Conference, opened the second day’s proceedings. Prof. Joshi’s address was followed by the first plenary session of the day given by Prof. Dermot Diamond from the NCSR and Dr. Stephen Gacheru from Bristol-Myer Squibb gave the last of the conference’s plenary sessions following lunch in the Crowne Plaza.

Delegates at the recent ICTBSB, (l-r) Prof. Robert Forster, Prof. Harry Holthofer, Prof. Bruno Domon, Prof. James Rusling and Ms. Pene Williams

The conference brought together over 150 national and international delegates, both from academia and industry. The event was particularly suited to allow interdisciplinary networking and this proved to be the case. Overall the conference was a great success for its organisers in CBAS/NCSR. Aoibheann Bird, a postgraduate student with BDI/NCSR won the best poster prize of €250. She overcame stiff competition from academic and post doctoral researchers and was the unanimous choice of the judges.

Ms. Aoibheann Bird being congratulated by Mr. Declan Moran having won the best poster prize at the ICTBSB

Trade Mission to Japan - 12th -17th January 2009

Director of BDI, Prof Brian MacCraith, participated in the recent SFI/IDA Trade Mission to Japan (12-17 Jan). The focus of the trade mission was to raise Japanese awareness of Ireland as a source of innovative, world-class research and to encourage collaboration in research and development between the two countries. As part of the trade mission, Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD delivered a keynote speech at an IDA Ireland - SFI co-hosted “Research, Development & Innovation” seminar. The seminar provided an overview of Ireland's R&D environment, supporting ecosystem, examples of recent Japan-Ireland joint R&D projects, and included presentations of current research projects in major Irish research institutes to a targeted Japanese audience. BDI was one of four SFI CSETs that presented at the seminar. The event was attended by more than 150 key decision makers from Japanese high tech companies, including most of the major Japanese players in the ICT and Life Sciences sectors, such as Sharp, Panasonic, TDK, Canon, Mitsubishi from the ICT sector and Takeda, Astellas, Olympus and Mitsubishi Tanabe from the Life Sciences sector. The event provided important opportunities for BDI to establish links with potential Japanese partners.

The Biomedical Diagnostics Institute logo with BDI written in Japanese underneath

Prof Frank Gannon, Director General, SFI, speaking at the IDA/SFI RD&I Seminar in Tokyo Japan held on the 14th January 2008. L-R Barry O'Leary - CEO IDA Ireland; Taoiseach Brian Cowan T.D.; Yasuo Hayashi - Chairman and CEO Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)

BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition - 6th - 10th January 2009

The BT Young Scientist Exhibition took place in the RDS Dublin from the 6th—10th January. One of the largest exhibitions of its kind in Europe, this years event saw 500 projects entered into the competition, as well as four exhibition halls filled with science and technology based exhibits and entertainment. One such exhibition hall was the Industries Hall where the Irish Universities Promoting Science Stand was located. Here, each of the Irish Universities showcased various exhibits, under one banner. DCU’s Faculty of Science and Health presented a number of exhibitions to the public during the two days the event is open to the public. As part of DCU’s contribution to this stand, Dr. Silvija Abele, Mr. Ugis Danilevics, Ms. Zarah Walsh and Ms. Oksana Shvydkiv, from Dr. Mirek Macka’s Microfluidic Analysis Group in the School of Chemical Sciences, taught visitors about monolithic materials, light emitting diodes and optic fibres. The NCSR would like to extend a huge thanks to the Microfluidic Analysis Group for taking part in the exhibition, and to all in the Faculty of Science and Health for their assistance, in particular to Dr. Pat O’Malley from the School of Chemical Sciences. Congratulations to all involved in the event.

Oksana Shvydkiv and Zarah Walsh from the Microfluidic AnalysisGroup at BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in the RDS from the 6th - 10th January 2009

Dr. Pat O’Malley from the School of Chemical Sciences at BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in the RDS from the 6th - 10th January 2009

Seminars 2008

Date	Speaker	Title	From
08 Dec 08	Prof. Antonio J Ricco	Fully Autonomous Bioanalytical Systems Track Microbial Gene Expression and Drug Dose Dependence in Outer Space: GeneSat and PharmaSat
08 Dec 08	Prof. James Rusling	Bioelectronic arrays and drug delivery using nanomaterials	Department of Chemistry and Cell Biology at University of Connecticut
19 Nov 08	Dr. John Luong	Ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of HIV-protease virus	Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Council Canada
16 Oct 08	Dr. Christine Gates	Patenting for Chemical R&D	Tomkins and Co. (Intellectual Property Law specialists)
8 Oct 08	Prof. Janusz Pawliszyn	In-vivo applications of solid phase microextraction	Department of Chemisry, University of Waterloo, Canada
24 Sept 08	Rachel Hill	Boost your research impact with DORAS	Dublin City University Library
15 Sept 08	Dr. Keith Sharrock	Active and Intelligent Packaging; Packing that enhances and monitors quality	Biosensors and Biomeasurement, HortResearch, New Zealand
19 Aug 08	Dr. Shane Peper	U and Pu Coordination Chemistry under Oxidizing Alkaline Conditions: Implications for a "Green" Approach to Spent Nuclear Fuel Processing	Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
31 July 08	Richard Stokes	Spin-out companies - fact and fiction	INVENT, Dublin City University
30 July 08	Prof. Janusz Pawliszyn	CIEF and CE with Whole Column Imaging Detection Technology for Protein Separation and Characterization	Department of Chemisry, University of Waterloo, Canada
11 June 08	Prof. Frank A. Gomez	Biological Applications of Microfluidics: The Unbearable Lightness of Being Small	Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles
21 May 08	Dr Paolo Bertoncello	Soft Nanostructured Materials for Catalysis and Biosensing	Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, Dublin City University
19 Mar 08	Dr Ian Fairlamb	Biocompatible CO-releasing molecules: A Tuneable class of therapeutic agents	Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD,UK
6 Mar 08	Prof. Chris Price	Point-of-Care Testing: Opportunities in a Changing Health Care environment	Visiting Professor in Clinical Biochemistry, University of Oxford, UK
20 Feb 08	Prof. Jan Preisler	Multidetection platform for microcolumn separation of proteins and peptides	Department of Analytical Chemistry, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic

Farewell to Jackie Glynn - December 11th 2008

After over two years in the NCSR, Jackie Glynn, NCSR Centre Manager, has left to move to San Diego, California. During her tenure as centre manager, Jackie has been involved with a number of exciting initiatives and projects that are responsible for bringing the NCSR to the exciting future it is embarking on as it enters its tenth year. We take this opportunity to thank Jackie for her hard work and contribution to the NCSR and we wish her the very best in the future.

Prof. Dermot Diamond (NCSR) presenting Dr. Jackie Glynn with a bouquet of flowers at her farewell reception

Ms. Carolyn Hughes (Invent) presenting Dr. Jackie Glynn with a bouquet of flowers at her farewell reception

Invent Invention Disclosure Awards - December 5th 2008

The Annual Invention Disclosure Award ceremony was held on 5th December 2008 in the Invent Centre. These awards were set up by Invent DCU to publicly recognise the researchers who work with Invent to protect and commercialise their research. The awards were a great success with attendance of over 80 researchers on the day from various Schools and Faculties.

The ceremony was officially opened by Prof. Ferdinand von Prondzynski and the awards were presented by Professor Eugene Kennedy, Vice-President for Research. Shay Garvey Delta Partners was the guest speaker who gave an excellent overview of the venture capital environment in Ireland.

There were a total of 36 Invention Disclosures with each group receiving a prize of €200. An overall prize of €1000 was also awarded in each of the categories of Life Sciences; Physical/Chemical Sciences and ICT/Engineering.

Richard Stokes, Director of Invent, stated that these individuals had demonstrated great initiative in the commercialisation of their technology and both DCU and Invent value the time and effort researchers put into commercialising their research.
As the commercialisation gateway of DCU, Invent has the infrastructure, the ability and the expertise to assist and advise industry, academia and researchers in their innovation, commercialisation and business development endeavours.

The Overall Award for Life Sciences of €1000 was given to Lourdes Basabe-Desmonts, Asif Riaz, Antonio Ricco and Luke Lee (BDI) for their invention disclosure entitled ‘Single Platelet Adhesion Assay’. This was a joint invention between DCU and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

The overall award for Physical/Chemical Sciences of €1000 was given to Stephen O’Driscoll, Conor Burke and Brian MacCraith (NCSR) for their invention disclosure entitled ‘Mobile Phone-based Sensor Platform’.

The overall award for ICT/Engineering of €1000 was given to Paul Whelan, John Mallon and Julia Dietlmeier (Electronic Engineering) for their invention disclosure entitled ‘Precise Correction of Optical Lateral Chromatic Aberration in Digital Imaging Systems’.

Overall NCSR based research received 24 of the 36 Invention Disclosures awarded in the categorie of Life Sciences; Physical/Chemical Scicences. Congratulations to all. For a full list of recipients please click here.

Prof. Eugene Kennedy, Prof. Ferdinand von Prondzynski, Lourdes Basabe-Desmonts, Prof. Antonio Ricco and Richard Stokes

Prof. Eugene Kennedy, Prof. Ferdinand von Prondzynski, Dr Stephen O’Driscoll and Richard Stokes

Short Term Travel Fellowship - December 2008

Dr. Robert Byrne, a post-doctoral fellow in Prof. Dermot Diamond’s Adaptive Sensors Group, has been awarded a Short Term Travel Fellowship (STTF) from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). The STTF supplement is designed to enable team members in an SFI funded group to collaborate on research projects in laboratories outside the Republic of Ireland. This award in conjunction with Prof. David Officer, will allow Robert to travel to the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Australia. Robert plans to spend two months working with Prof. Officer’s research team on the synthesis and characterization of photochromic polythiophenes. Photochromic switches are an intriguing class of organic molecules which allow the control of molecular structure and function with light. This offers the possibility of effecting dramatic changes to the bulk properties of a system by photonic irradiation. It is hoped that this research visit will help to strengthen research collaboration between the two groups.

Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Awards - 27th November 2008

Congratulations to Prof. Dermot Diamond and Dr. Tony Killard who received Enterprise Ireland Industrial Technologies Commercialisation Awards on Thursday 27th November. These awards are made annually by Enterprise Ireland to researchers who have shown both scientific excellence and an awareness of industry needs and this year were presented by Dr. Jimmy Devins T.D, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation. Prof. Diamond won his award in recognition for his licensing agreement with EpiSensor for the development and application of an autonomous device for environmental monitoring. Dr. Killard was presented with an award in recognition of his licensing agreement with Murco for his novel materials and fabrication methodology for the manufacture of ammonia-sensing electrodes.

Prof. Dermot Diamond receiving his awards from Jim Lawler, Enterprise Ireland’s Director of Industrial Technologies Research Commercialisation and Dr. Jimmy Devins T.D, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation

Dr. Tony Killard receiving his awards from Jim Lawler, Eterprise Ireland’s Director of Industrial Technologies Research Commercialisation and Dr. Jimmy Devins T.D, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation

"Transformations Exhibition - How research is changing Ireland" - 27th November - 2nd December 2008

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) celebrated 10 years of its Programme of Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI), by holding an exhibition in the Science Gallery from Thursday 27th November to Tuesday 2nd December.

Transformations showcased some of the research that impacts on our daily lives, helping us get around faster, live longer and helping us to understand our enviromnent. The exhibition featured interactive and engaging events, along with a seminar series, from research institutions across the country including the National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR) and the National Centre for Cellular Biotechnology (NICB) from DCU.

The NCSR's 'Sensor Science' exhibit gave visitors the opportunity to take a virtual tour of the Botanic Gardens, learn about monolithic materials, light emitting diodes and optic fibres. Experiments included fluorescence of solutions when different light is applied to them. Wearable sensors for sport and personal health monitoring, and the development of future sensing technologies were also be amongst the exciting displays that comprise the NCSR's exhibit.

The NCSR would like to say a huge thanks to Ms. Emma O'Brien and Ms. Rachel Tracey from the BDI E&O team, Dr. Silvija Abele, Ugis Danilevics and Ms. Marketa Ryvolova from the Microfludic Analysis group and Dr. Breda Kiernan, Mr. Conor Slater, Dr. Stephen Beirney and Dr. John Cleary from the Adaptive Sensors Group for all their help and demonstrations during the exhibition.

X-ray Fluorescence instrument acquired by CLARITY researchers - November 2008

DCU CLARITY researchers Dr Tanja Radu and Professor Dermot Diamond have recently obtained an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) portable NITON XL3t instrument. Funding for the instrument, to the value of €56,000 was awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency’s STRIVE program. This hand held instrument represents cutting edge technology capable of analyzing the elemental composition of a variety of samples including metal/electronics alloys and mining explorations. Using portable XRF instrumentation the composition of a solid sample (such as soil) can be determined, and the instrument can simultaneously measure up to 25 elements. The researchers will use the portable XRF for variety of environmental applications within CLARITY. By using the new instrument, the “Smart Dust” project will be brought to a new level, where portable XRF will be used as a key sensing technology in building the autonomous portable system for sensing metals in airborne dust. Integrated USB and Bluetooth communications ensures simplicity of data transfer by the XL3t. Wireless remote communication and autonomous sample analysis will be the key features when incorporating XL3t into autonomous portable system for sensing metals in airborne dust.

X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) portable NITON XL3tinstrument

Dr Tanja Radu using
the instrument

Commercialisation of University Research Student Awards 2008 - 10th November 2008

The third Commercialisation of University Research Student Project Awards took place on November 10th at Dublin City University Business School during the annual graduation ceremony. The award is for the best commercialisation plan for a product/service ideas generated by university science and technology researchers. Students identify the best route to market for the products/ideas and undertake extensive research on competitors, markets and customers. The projects are undertaken as part of the Innovation and High Technology Entrepreneurship Module on the Masters in Electronic-Commerce Degree Programme.

This year students from DCU worked in collaboration with students from Arizona State University. The Award is sponsored by INVENT DCU and coordinated by Dr. Teresa Hogan, lecturer in Entrepreneurship at DCU Business School. This year’s first prize was awarded to a group of students who carried out a commercialisation plan for an Ammonia Breath Monitor, developed by Dr. Tony Killard and his research team in the NCSR.

The Healthisense breath monitor system which provides real time breath-by-breath measurement of oxygen & carbon dioxide content in inhaled and exhaled breath. It is a lightweight, portable, wireless apparatus that consists of a mask which houses the disposable sensors and communication device, which through the use of specialised software, can be linked to a computing device (PC, PDA laptop etc.). This is the second time that a project which examined the commercialisation potential of research undertaken by NCSR has won the competition.Congratulations to Tony and everyone involved in this award.

Keith Elliott, Masters of Electronic Commerce Business, Dr. Tony Killard NCSR, National Centre for Sensor Research; Professor Eric Menkhus, Director Technology Ventures Clinic, ASU; Richard Stokes, Director of INVENT DCU; Dr. Teresa Hogan, Lecturer in Enterprise Development DCUBS and Hugh O’Brien, Masters in Electronic Commerce Business

NCSR Poster Day - 6th November 2008

The NCSR held a poster session on Thursday 6th November to give our post-graduate and post-doctoral researchers the opportunity to present their research to their colleagues in the NCSR. In all, there were 32 posters presented and the event provided a great opportunity for researchers to exchange information and meet other NCSR members. The event proved to be a great success we would like to thank out to all those who presented posters and everyone who attended the event. To view a full photo gallery please click here.

NCSR members attending the recent poster day

Lynda Cosgrove presenting her poster

Hot Embosser Course - 3rd & 4th November 2008

Participants in the recent Hot Embosser Course held in the NCSR (l - r)
Jose Garcia Cordero, Fernando Benito Lopez, Su-Bee Tan, Sonia Gallagher, Holger Becker and Lorcan Kent

Solid Phase Microextraction Course - 7th & 8th October 2008

The Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) course organised by Dr. Mirek Macka (u-FAn research group and Separation Science Cluster (SSC)) was held in the National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University on the 7th and 8th October 2008. This was the fourth annual workshop/course organised by SSC (previous courses include ANN I, ANN II and Molecular Modelling in collaboration with the Adaptive Information Cluster) and the most successful with 35 participants from across Europe.

SPME is used for a spectrum of analysis from alcohol in blood and other drugs in biological fluids to environmental analysis. The main speaker was Prof. Janusz Pawliszyn, from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo, Canada, and the inventor of SPME. Prof. Pawliszyn is one of the most highly cited contemporary analytical chemists worldwide and the author of approximately 400 papers. Prof. Pawliszyn also holds 22 patents.

The course was held over a two day period and the programme included talks by three other speakers, including industry representatives (Klaus Buchendahl from Sigma-Aldrich and Dietmar Hein from PAS Technology Deutschland GmbH) and Prof. H. Jelen from the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The August Cieszkowski Agricultural University of Poznan, Poland.

Sigma-Aldrich display

PAS Technology Display

The course covered both basic and advanced topics related to Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME). The principles of SPME were presented in relation to practical problems. Thermodynamic and kinetic theory of direct and headspace SPME, as well as the effects of stirring, temperature and sample volume and matrix modification on the amount extracted were discussed. A complete method development was described and illustrated by real life examples.

To view a full photo gallery of the course, please click here.

Delegates who attended the SPME course in the NCSR on the 7th & 8th October 2008

Dr Keith Sharrock Visits the NCSR - 15th September 2008

Dr. Keith Sharrock from HortResearch, New Zealand visited the NCSR on Monday 15th September. HortResearch is a world-class fruit science research company and has 10 sites around New Zealand. With orchards at five of these sites, HortResearch uses this unusual resource to produce innovative fruit and food products, and to assist industry by developing novel solutions. Dr. Sharrock is a member of the Biosensors and Biomeasurement team, which specialises in enzymatic sensors, immunosensors, imprinted polymer, optical sensors and biophysical sensors and their applications.

During his visit to the NCSR Dr. Sharrock hosted a seminar describing the Active and Intelligent Packaging products developed at HortResearchs facilities, specifically, the ripeSense® sensor. This sensor was developed to allow consumers to determine the ripeness of fruit via a sensor label that changes colour, from red through to yellow. This sensor works by reacting to the changing aromas released by the fruit as it ripens.

The Biosensors and Biomeasurements group are currently developing similar labelling systems for a wider variety of fruit, including kiwifruit, avocado, melon, mango and stone fruit. For more information on HortResearch please go to www.hortresearch.co.nz and for information on ripeSense® please see www.ripesense.com.

Dr. Keith Sharrock

ripeSense® Label

COMBIO consortium at the NCSR - 11th & 12th September 2008

On 11 and 12 September, Drs Ciarán Fagan and Jessica Forde hosted the final partners' meeting of the COMBIO consortium in the NCSR. COMBIO, an acronym for "Composite Materials for the Immobilisation of Biocatalysts", is a network of 7 European companies (from Austria, Finland, Germany, Netherlands and UK) plus 3 universities (Leeds, Delft and DCU).

The aim of this 2006-08 project is to enable a substantial increase in the rate and extent of the uptake of biocatalysis processes by industry. The objective is to provide a generic approach to the immobilisation and/or stabilisation of enzymes using low cost, renewable support materials and novel internal cross-linking methods, where the enzyme becomes its own support and compatible microenvironments are created to improve stability.

The research has focused on the immobilisation/stabilisation techniques and on the assessment of performance enhancement in the main target application of the synthesis of fine chemicals. The COMBIO project is funded by the European Commission within its FP6 Programme, under “Horizontal research activities involving SMEs”, Contract number COOP-CT-2006-032628.

Delegates from the COMBIO consortium in the NCSR on the 11th & 12th September

Deirdre Fox awarded FAS Science Challenge Internship at Kennedy Space Centre - September 2008

Deirdre Fox, who works under the supervision of Dr. Gillian McMahon in the Bioanalytical Chemistry and Diagnostics group in the NCSR, has recently been offered a FAS Science Challenge Internship in Dynamac Corporation in Kennedy Space Centre, Florida.

This internship will provide Deirdre with an opportunity to carry out research in the Space Life Science Lab (SLS Lab) with some of the world’s most esteemed scientists in the field of life sciences, including Dr. Lanfang Levine, Deirdre’s supervisor. The SLS Lab was developed as a result of partnership between State of Florida and NASA and is capable of hosting International Space Station experiment processing as well as associated biological and life sciences research.

One of the on-going efforts in the SLS lab is metabolite profiling (metabolomics). So far, the work has focused on plant metabolites using a GC-MS platform. As Deirdre’s PhD involves the evaluation of novel phases and approaches to selectively extract and analyse different drugs in human blood and other biological samples, it has been devised that a similar approach to that of the plant metabolomics could be employed if a LC-MS platform is used to profile drug and drug metabolites in blood.

Deirdre’s project in the Kennedy Space Centre will involve determining the level of Scopolamine in blood. Scopolamine is an anti motion sickness drug; the drug is being used to determine the drug level in blood by patch application and oral administration. The project is in correlation with the response of test objects to motion sickness induced by spinning chair.

The FAS Science Challenge Initiative was devised 5 years ago as a means of cultivating Ireland’s highly skilled and educated workforce, and encouraging entrepreneurship in applied sciences and advanced engineering. The programme is comprised of 6 programmes, Upskilling, Internship, National Scholars, Research Training, Science Asia Challenge and Bursaries. The FAS Science Challenge has a number of preferred partners for this initiative, particularly in the US, including Space Florida, BioLink USA – Ireland and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI).

The Internship Programme is a combined internship and work experience programme for postgraduates and apprentices at phase 5 on the apprenticeship scale, and runs for a duration of 6 months. Participants apply for specific projects according to their specialist area of research and skills. These projects have been incorporated into the leading – edge areas of research and further studies and include disciplines such as biochemistry, genetics/microbiology, biotechnology and life sciences.

Graduates and apprentices who are chosen to take part in this programme are privileged as they are being mentored throughout these projects by mentors of the highest calibre. Congratulations to Deirdre on securing this internship. We wish her the very best during her time in the SLS Lab and look forward to hearing about her experience upon her return to the NCSR.

To find out more about the Bioanalytical Chemistry and Diagnostics Group please click here.
To find out more about the FAS Science Challenge Initiative please click here.

Hamilton/Beaufort Symposium - 4th September 2008

This years Hamilton Undergraduate Research Symposium draws to a close on Friday 5th September. To mark the end of this programme the annual Hamilton Symposium was held on 4th September. This years symposium was held in conjunction with the Beaufort Scholarship Symposium as both scholarships are run in tandem. During this event, each of the scholars presented the research they have been carrying out during the last ten weeks by giving clear and informative presentations.

The first to speak was Beaufort Scholarship student, Manika Poply, who described a series of tests she ran on a number of water samples taken from various water sources throughout Ireland, as part of her project entitled, Coliform Detection in Irish Waters. This study demonstrated shocking levels of contamination from coliforms in Irish waters and the need for constant monitoring of water using methods that will provide immediate results.

Gerard Tobin desrcibed the research he carried out during his project Development and Characteristics of Photocurable Sol-Gel Materials for Photonic Applications. Gerard described the fabrication process the sol-gel underwent and the effect hydrolysis and chelation degree had on the sizes and structure of the fabricated waveguides.

John Gallagher carried out the cultivation of mutant forms of recombinant horseradish peroxidase and compared the results to establish the number of active mutants during his project,Cultivation, Analysis and Peroxide of Recombinant Horesradish Peroxidase.

The NCSR would like to congratulate each of the students on the successful work carried out by each of the during the summer. We would like to thank the students' supervisors, Dr. Yuliya Shakalisava, Prof. Dermot Diamond and all of the Adaptive Sensors Group who hosted Manika, Dr. Mohamed Oubaha, Prof. Colette McDonagh and all of the Optical Sensors Group who hosted Gerard and Ms. Noeleen Laughran, Dr. Ciaran Fagan and all in the Enzyme Laboratory who hosted John. We would also like to thank, Ms. Clare Scalzo and the BDI E&O team for all of their assistance throughout the programme.

Mankia Poply, Beaufort Scholar, John Gallagher and Gerard Tobin, Hamilton Scholars reciving their certificates following the Hamilton/Beaufort Symposium

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Visit - 19th August 2008

The NCSR hosted Dr. Shane Peper from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) as part of continuous effort to build and maintain international recognition of a world class research institution. Dr. Peper is a world renown expert in actinide and lathanide research with an extensive experience in development and optimization of chemical sensors for trace level analysis of ionic species. Such interesting combination of experience and expertise has already resulted in fruitful collaboration with the group of Prof. Dermot Diamond (in particular with Dr. Aleksandar Radu) and the development of first potentiometric sensor for fission products.

As a part of his visit to NCSR, Dr. Peper gave a lecture on Tuesday 19th August titled "U and Pu Coordination Chemistry under Oxidizing Alkaline Conditions: Implications for a "Green" Approach to Spent Nuclear Fuel Processing". Increasing energy needs, global warming, and dependence on foreign fossil fuels have all contributed to the recent renaissance in nuclear energy both in the U.S. and abroad. With more than 20 new nuclear power plants proposed in the U.S. in the next few years and with more than 160 proposed worldwide it is of paramount importance that efficient and preferably environmentally benign (“green”) processes be available to reprocess the current and future inventories of commercial spent nuclear fuel (SNF). Historically, SNF reprocessing approaches that have been used to any significant degree, such as PUREX, have used highly concentrated corrosive acids at high temperatures and toxic organic solvents and extractants. This acid-based paradigm generates large volumes of highly radioactive mixed waste and requires numerous engineering controls to mitigate the various hazards posed to workers and the environment.

Dr. Peper's group are working on developing a green approach for SNF reprocessing based on the unique behavior of actinides in the presence of peroxide under alkaline conditions. In systems that contain carbonate and hydrogen peroxide, for example, it is possible to rapidly dissolve the principal component of SNF, namely UO2, at room temperature! Moreover, the unique redox chemistry and speciation of the actinides under these conditions creates an opportunity to potentially develop a closed system for reprocessing by simply using gaseous feed materials and batch precipitations. The work presented described some of the interesting dissolution and coordination chemistry of U and Pu observed thus far.

Solutions containing 70 mM U(VI), 0.5 M Na2CO3 and A) 0 mol%, B) 25 mol%, C) 50 mol%, or 75 mol% H2O2 (relative to [U]).

(l - r) Dr. Aleksander Radu, Dr. Shane Peper and Prof. Deromt Diamond

Talley Research Group Visit - June - July 2008

Gary Nijak and Joe Geary from the Talley Research Group (TRG), based in the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, recently spent some time in the NCSR working with members of Fiona Regan’s Research Group. Gary and Joe’s visit was coordinated by Antóin Lawlor of the NCSR, and is a result of the recently agreed research collaboration agreement between DCU and the University of Notre Dame.

Gary and Joe’s work within the Talley Research Group primarily involves the development of a biosensor, capable of the identification and partial quantification of faecal contamination indicators to include Escherichia Coli, Total Coliforms and/or enterococci in marine and freshwater environments. The biosensor is capable of continuous, long-term in situ monitoring of faecal matter indicators in recreational and source water, and may be wirelessly connected to a central monitoring station with the capability of sending a signal alerting to the presence or absence of faecal matter.

In Ireland, there are currently 131 designated bathing areas, of which 122 are seawater bathing areas and 9 are freshwater bathing areas. These bathing areas are monitored on a fortnightly basis during the bathing season to check the quality of the water by the competent Local Authority. The capability of the TRG biosensor when deployed to continuously sample, identify and partially quantify faecal contamination indicators as required under the new Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) will enable the provision of more up-to-date information ensuring better communication with the general public.

When persistent fluctuations in contaminants occur it is likely only to be detected through continuous measurement, as traditional spot/grab sampling will only provide a reasonable estimate of the true maximum and/or mean concentration of faecal matter in a water body. The TRG biosensor will also aid in the cutting of monitoring costs and the provision of better spatial and temporal coverage, representing long-term trends in fluctuations of faecal contaminants.

Joe Geary (TRG), George Sharpson (PEHO Fingal Co. Co.) & Gary Nijak (TRG)

During their stay, the group conducted the biosensors first marine field trial at Balbriggan Harbour, north Co. Dublin, which historically has been an area associated with high E. coli levels over the bathing season. Samples were taken twice daily with results available in roughly three hours, an improvement on the typical two day turn around of fortnightly samples taken by the Local Authority. Further work will move away from the detection of E. coli to the more widely used enterocolli for marine waters.

The field deployment could not have occurred without the help and assistance of personnel from Fingal County Council. In particular, George Sharpson the Principal Environmental Health Officer for Fingal County Council, who organised the setup of a secure sampling station at Balbriggan for the duration of the trial. The involvement of Fingal County Council was greatly appreciated, and it is hoped further field trials will occur when Gary returns next summer with his supervisor Prof. Jeff Talley who will be here as a visiting professor.

Fourth International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology - 28th - 31st July 2008

The Fourth International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology 2008 was held in the Hilton Hotel, Houston, Texas from the 28th to 31st July 2008. The conference, which is sponsored by the American Academy of Sciences, has 3 main objectives; to provide a platform for presenting new approaches to environmental science, to encourage the integration of new developments in scientific research into engineering applications and to facilitate technology transfer into practical products. Environmental ethics, environmental law, environmental economy and environmental management were also included in the multidisciplinary conference.

The conference included 1,500 attendees and 600 oral and poster presentations. One of the attendees of this conference was Dr. Tanja Radu of the Adaptive Information Cluster (AIC) at the National Centre for Centre Research in DCU.

Dr. Tanja Radu with her winning poster at the recent International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology

Dr. Radu’s poster, entitled, Autonomous sensing devices for environmental monitoring, details a new approach in the use of sensors for environmental monitoring applications. The ultimate goal is producing autonomous, field deployable devices for continuous monitoring of target environmental parameters: phosphates in rivers and lakes and heavy metals in airborne dust. These devices are intended to be used for dynamic tracking of the pollutants and as early warning systems for the local communities. Particular attention has been paid to autonomous logging and wireless transmission of the collected data. Integrating wireless communications with the sensing devices provides remote access to the data and operational characteristics, which can significantly simplify and improve pollution detection, particularly in remote areas.

Detection of phosphate levels in the lakes and rivers has been achieved using a simple colorimetric method (yellow method) paired with light emitting diode (LED) based optical detection. Miniaturization of the method was achieved using microfluidics, which, in combination with pumps, was used for transport and mixing of reagents with the sample. The device provides sample collection, reagent and waste storage, phosphate detection, and wireless communication for remote data transmission. Field trial showed good correlation between Dr. Radu’s device and existing monitoring systems at the wastewater treatment plant.

Dr. Tanja Radu with her Poster Award

Analysis of dust samples usually requires lengthy procedures involving acid digestion of the collected sample, and its subsequent analysis using instruments in a laboratory setting. Digestion is one of the main obstacles for automating methodology for the field analysis of dust samples, and therefore analyzing samples in the solid state would significantly simplify matters. This can be achieved by the use of field deployable portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology. This methodology provides real time analysis of up to 25 elements. Portable XRF instruments also have a remote operation capability, which makes it an attractive option for use in an autonomous dust-analysis device. As this is a non-destructive method, another big advantage is the possibility of sample preservation, for later analysis in the laboratory using a reference method.

A prototype automated sampling unit built in our laboratories has been coupled with an air sampling pump to provide an excellent platform for sampling and analyzing dust from air. As for the phosphate analyzer outlined above, wireless communications provides remote access to the data and control of the device operational characteristics.

Dr. Radu received the first place Poster award at the conference for her presentation of this research. The authors, Tanja Radu, John Cleary, Conor Slater and Dermot Diamond wish to acknowledge the following funding sources: Science Foundation Ireland (Grant No. 03/IN3/1361), Marine Institute (Grant No. AT/04/01/06), and Environmental Protection Agency (Grant No. 2004-RS-AIC-M4).

LC-MS Training Course - 31st July 2008 - 01st August 2008

A training course in Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), is taking place in the NCSR from Thursday 31st July 2008 to Friday 01st August 2008. George McLeod from Bruker Daltonics (UK) will cover a range of topics during the two day course including LCMS theory, instrument care and operation. The basics of data processing, LC methods, along with processing of chromatograms will also be addressed and the students will be given test samples to analyse.

Participants in the LCMS training course (l - r)
George McLeod (Bruker Daltonics (UK)) Ann Marie Deegan, Mark Cullen, Sharon Murphy, Rachel Nic Ardghail, Lisa Jones and Agnieszaka Ciechacka.

NCSR Hamilton Research Scholarhships - 30th June 2008

The Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholarship Programme gives students the opportunity to spend 10 weeks during the summer months carrying out research in the National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR). Hamilton projects are drawn from the broad range of research being carried out within the centre.

The scholarship provides the successful students with direct experience of laboratory research, where they are integrated members of multi-disciplinary teams. The programme aims to give students an opportunity to extend themselves intellectually, beyond the limits of their degree course and gain valuable experience for their future career.

This year the NCSR is host to two Hamilton Scholars, John Gallagher and Gerard Tobin.

John is studying Biotechnology at DCU and he is working with Dr. Ciaran Fagan and Ms. Noeleen Loughran in the Enzyme Laboratory on the 'Cultivation, analysis and preservation of recombinant horseradish peroxidase variants.

Gerard is a student of Chemistry at Trinity College Dublin and he is working with Prof. Colette McDonagh and Dr. Mohamed Oubaha in the Optical Sensors Laboratory on a project entitled 'Characterisation of photocurable sol-gel materials for photonic applications'.

Throughout the programme each student attends a number of workshops that equips them with skills such as communications, project design and teamwork. Each year the scholarships culminates with a symposium where each student presents their work through an oral presentation and an academic poster. More information on this years symposium will follow shortly.

John Gallager

Gerard Tobin

Beaufort Scholarship Programme - 30th June 2008

The Beaufort Scholarship Programme provides students with first-hand experience of a research environment and aims to excite a lasting interest in Science & Technology at all levels of education and increase awareness of environmental research.

The Beaufort Scholarship Programme is part of the Marine Institutes Beaufort Marine Research Awards programme (www.marine.ie), which seeks to develop new opportunities in areas such as sustainable energy, functional foods, transport, technology and environmental monitoring.

The Scholarship is open to all undergraduate Science & Technology students from Irish Third Level Institutions. Projects are carried out in NCSR laboratories for a period of three months during the summer. The programme will develop new opportunities in areas such as biosensors, analytical science, remote sensing, high speed separations, optical sensors and biochip platforms.

This year the NCSR is hosting its first Beaufort student, Manika Poply.

Manika is studying Biotechnology at DCU and she is working with Prof. Dermot Diamond and Dr. Yuliya Shakalisava in the Adaptive Sensors Group on a project entitled 'Development of a mircofluidic device for microbiological monitoring of water'.

Mankia will also take part in the workshop series that will equip her with skills such as communications, project design and teamwork. Manika will also present her work, along with the Hamilton Scholars, through an oral presentation and an academic poster. More information on this years Hamilton symposium will follow shortly.

For more information on the Beaufort Awards please click here.

Manika Poply

From Bench to Boardroom-Commercialising Irish Research - 18th June 2008

Enterprise Ireland held their first Applied Research Forum on Wednesday 18th June in Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse. Two hundred of Ireland’s top researchers attended the event, which provided a platform for discussions on research commercialisation and ways in which the quantity and quality of applied research can be improved.

The event showcased the vast potential existing in research groups throughout Ireland, with the specially commissioned ‘One to Watch’ award presented to Dr. Declan Dagger from Trinity College Dublin. In addition to this award, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Jimmy Devins T.D., launched a special publication showcasing 18 of the best Enterprise Ireland funded researchers, to have brought their research to the marketplace in 2007.

One of those researchers showcased in the publication, entitled From Bench to Boardroom – Commercialising Irish Research, The Best of 2007-08, was Dr. Tony Killard from the National Centre for Sensor Research at DCU. Dr. Killard and his research team decided to concentrate on the electrochemical approach to ammonia sensing, replacing an existing electrolyte solution, in which three electrodes are suspended, with a gel, making the sensor a more solid state device and more mass producible.

He then looked at using conductive polymers, which are electrochemically active as well as conductive. However the only way to apply these polymers to a device was to form the polymers, one by one, on each individual device, making any kind of consistency in mass production difficult.

At this point in his research however, Dr. Killard discovered that Prof. Gordon Wallace of the Intelligent Polymers Institute at the University of Wollongong in Australia had synthesised nanoparticles of polyaniline, and that this polymer is extremely sensitive to ammonia. The polymer can be applied as a liquid, as a suspension of nanoparticles, by spraying or painting on, and when the carrier liquid evaporates, a solid state film remains.

“The ammonia ions interact with the backbone structure of the polymer, causing a change in conductivity” says Dr. Killard. The nanoparticles are therefore ideal for his sensor and can be fabricated in large numbers at low cost.

These sensors have already placed Dr. Killard with a licence deal with a Dublin based company and he is now looking at the world market. Given that during the patenting process, Dr. Killard kept the terms of reference broad, there is great flexibility for the refinement of the technology for different applications, opening up a world of opportunities in commercial development.

Outstanding Graduate Research Award - 9th June 2008

This years Outstanding Graduate Research Awards cermony took place on Monday 9th June. Prof. Malcolm Smyth, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Science presented the awards to this years winners, Eoin Gillespie and Naomi Walsh. Eoin is a student of NCSRs Brett Paul. Congratulations to both Eoin and Naomi!

To view more photographs from this event please click here.

Eoin Gillispe and Naomi Walsh with Prof. Malcolm Smyth at the
Outstanding Graduate Researcher Awards cermony on 9th June 2008

NCSR Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholarship 2008

The Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholarship gives students the opportunity to spend 10 weeks during the summer months carrying out research in the National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR).

The NCSR is a large scale, multidisciplinary research centre focused on the science and applications of chemical sensors and biosensors. As part of its Education Outreach Programme, the NCSR is offering two Hamilton Research Scholarships for undergraduate science and engineering students. Hamilton projects are drawn from the broad range of research being carried out within the centre.

This scholarship will provide you with direct experience of laboratory research, where you will be an integrated member of a multi-disciplinary team. The programme aims to give you an opportunity to extend yourself intellectually, beyond the limits of your degree course and gain valuable experience for your future career. The successful student will receive a stipend of €300 per week.

How to apply:
Scholarships are open to all science and engineering undergraduates from 3rd level Irish Institutions. Please send your CV, including your educational achievements to date, and a short statement (1 page max) outlining why you wish to apply for the Hamilton Programme to:

Aoife White,
Communications Officer,
National Centre for Sensor Research,
Dublin City University,
Dublin 9
Tel: +353 1 700 7412
Email: aoife.white@dcu.ie

Deadline for applications is Friday 30th May 2008

Recent Symposiums and Workshop
'Printed Functional Materials' May 26th & 27th 2008

The NCSR organised and hosted an SFI-funded Conference on ‘Printed Functional Materials’ (May 26th – 27th 2008). The symposium focused on the production, characterization and properties of printable functional materials. The meeting also aimed to assess the current state of the art in how these materials are being applied today in the development of leading technologies such as displays, sensors, microfluidics, diagnostic devices and printed electronic systems.

Microdrop demonstration display

The symposium brought together over 70 delegates from across Europe and worldwide. Delegates were typically academic theme leaders and industrialists. The conference proved to be an excellent opportunity to listen to the latest innovations and advances in Printed Functional Materials. It was a great success in that it was an ideal platform for academics and industrialists to discuss science, network and identify potential opportunities for future.

The opening address was given by Prof. Dermot Diamond (NCSR director) who spoke on the critical importance of developing functional materials as the key enabler for Printed Electronic devices. The first session of the conference was on Flexible Displays. Prof. Werner Blau (Trinity College), Dr. Martin Moeller (NTera) and Prof. Ghassan Jabbour (Arizona State University) presented excellent talks on the current state-of-the-art in terms of materials being used to drive the area of printed displays.

The second session of the day was in the area of 3D printing. These talks presented by Conor Slater (NCSR), Prof. Bartosz Grzybowski (Northwestern University) and Dr. Jan Czernuska highlighted new types of printing modes – 3-D printing for plastic components and tissue engineering; and hydrogel stamping to induce the fascinating phenomenon of reaction diffusion - all were exceptionally new to the audience, and provoked much discussion.

Delegates attending the poster session

Sensors' was the subject of the third and final session of the day. Dr Tony Killard (NCSR), Dr. Herman Schoo (Holst Centre, Eindhoven) and Prof. Paul Calvert (University of Massachusetts Dartmouth) presented on the types of materials being used for sensor interfaces, i.e., polyaniline nanoparticles; the Holst Centre Systems-In-Foil programme; and the challenges of printing onto textiles for sensor applications, respectively.

The first day of the conference was finished off with an Irish whiskey tasting followed by an excellent meal at the 1838 restaurant on campus at DCU.

The following morning, there was two more sessions: 'Fabrication & Production' and 'Printed Electronics'. For the first session, Assoc. Prof. Peter Innis spoke on inkjet printing, Dr. Terho Kololuoma focused on gravure and flexo-graphic printing, while Robin Pittson (Gwent Electronics) discussed the capabilities of screen-printing. The final session of the day was on Printed Electronics with Dr. Patrick Smith (University of Freiburg), Dr. Donald Lupo (Speaking on behalf of Thin Film Electronics) and Dr. Mario Caironi (University of Cambridge) giving truly excellent talks to close out the conference.

Overall, the conference was a huge success for the conference organisers, Dr. Tony Killard and Dr. Aoife Morrin. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere contributed to extensive networking and lively discussions. The feedback provided by both the speakers and delegates after the conference reported that the quality of the conference was truly excellent in terms of the calibre of speakers, poster presentations and the overall organisation of the two days. In fact, the organisers are considering hosting it again in two years time given the success of this potentially ‘inaugural’ conference!

For more information regarding the presentations, please click here.
To view a full photo gallery of the symposium, please click here.

Delegates who attended the “Printed Functional Materials ”, which was held in the National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University on 26th & 27th May 2008

'Symposium on Vibrational Spectroscopy' 17th April 2008

Approximately 50 people attended this, the first IRDG meeting to be held in Ireland, with a very high representation from postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers. The programme included seven excellent seminars and 14 posters contributions in the field of vibrational spectroscopy.

Tia Keyes, the conference organiser, welcomed the attendees and thanked the National Centre for Sensor Research and The Office for the Vice President of Research DCU, for their help with and support for the conference. Jack Yarwood, IRDG chair, opened the session.

Delegates attending one of the seminars held during the Symposium on Vibrational Spectroscopy hosted by the National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University on 17th April 2008.

The morning session chaired by Prof. Robert Forster, DCU, commenced with Prof. Colin Bain, University of Durham, who delivered a fascinating discussion on Evanescent Wave Raman Scattering. Dr Steven Bell, described materials sciences approaches to successfully control nanoparticles for SERS in ongoing at his laboratory at Queens University Belfast. Prof. Werner Blau, Trinity College Dublin, described the use of Raman and other spectroscopies in the study of nanocomposite materials and Dr Hugh Byrne, Dublin Institute of Technology, outlined some of the work ongoing at the FOCAS institute on vibrational spectroscopies applied to biomaterials.

Following a buffet lunch the first poster session took place and judging of the student posters.
Dr Geoffrey Dent chaired the post-lunch session which commenced with Prof. Ole Faurskov Nielsen from University of Copenhagen describing the fascinating insight into water molecules in biomaterials which can gleened from low frequency Raman spectroscopy. Dr Ute Neugebauer, DCU, described how luminescent dyes with large stokes shifts can be exploited for complimentary insights into the cellular environment from resonance Raman and confocal fluorescence imaging and Dr Susan Quinn finished the session by describing her work on the use of picosecond time-resolved vibrational spectroscopy to study photochemical reactions in Nucleic Acid Systems.

The session was closed by Geoffrey Dent and Tia Keyes announced the winner of the poster prize. Congratulations to Gerard Doorley, Trinity College Dublin, for his poster entitled “Ultrafast IR spectroscopy of the short-lived transients formed by UV excitation of cytosine derivatives.” Many thanks to the Office for the Vice President of Research, DCU for supporting this prize.

The meeting closed with a final poster session accompanied by a wine and cheese reception.

'Europtrode XI Conference' March 30th - April 02nd 2008

The ninth annual Europtrode conference was held in DCU recenty, attracting some 300 of the worlds leading research scientists in the fields of optical biosensor and optical chemical sensor research. The four-day event, included 248 individual presentations and 18 plenary and invited speakers.

The conference, co-chaired by Prof. Brian MacCraith and Prof. Colette McDonagh, featured in the April 03rd edition of The Irish Times under the heading, The wide appliance of sensor science.

Europtrode is the largest optical sensing meeting in the world and more information on the conference is available on www.europtrodeix.eu. Congratulations to Prof. MacCraith, Prof. McDonagh and all those involved in organising the event.

'Oxidative DNA Damage' 28th March 2008

“Oxidative DNA Damage”, was the first in a series of workshops hosted by the Royal Society of Chemistry entitled “Analytical Tools for the Life Sciences”. The aim of this workshop series is to bring together researchers from chemistry and life science to discuss problems and opportunities and to facilitate collaborations between the two disciplines. This was certainly the outcome of the first workshop, which was held in the Research and Engineering Building in DCU on March 28th, 2008.

The opening address was given by Prof. Jean Cadet, a world renowned expert on radiation induced DNA damage, who highlighted recent advancements in measurement of DNA damage in human cells. This was followed by a lecture from Prof. Craig Lunte, who provided an indepth analysis of cutting edge sampling techniques. After lunch Prof. John Kelly explained how picosecond spectroscopy was utilised by his research team to probe the intermediate species formed during light-induced damage to DNA, while Prof. Peter Farmer described the different products detected from carcinogen-induced DNA damage, and provided examples from real human studies to illustrate the complexity of oxidative DNA damage pathways. After an illustration by Dr. Blánaid White of how recent advances in separation techniques can provide improvements in resolving power and limits of detection of oxidative DNA damage analyses, Prof. Mario Leclerc revealed how optical polymers can be manipulated to provide DNA detection rivalling PCR in sensitivity.

Attended by over 70 delegates from across Ireland and the U.K., the workshop was a great success. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere contributed to extensive networking and lively discussions at the poster sessions and coffee breaks. The feedback provided by delegates after the conference end reported that the found the workshop above average to excellent in terms of quality and interest of the speakers, an accurate reflection of the inaugural workshop of the “Analytical Tools for the Life Sciences” series.

Delegates who attended the “Analytical Tools for the Life Sciences” workshop entitled “Oxidative DNA Damage”, which was held in the National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University on March 28th 2008

'Oriented Use of Artificial Neural Networks in Science' Workshop 10th & 11th March 2008

A repeat of the last year's successful Artificial Neural Network workshop - ANN II - was again hosted and organised by NCSR, DCU, given by Professor Josef Havel, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic, a world-renowned expert on ANN with background in analytical chemistry, and Dr. Mirek Macka, Marie Curie Excellence Grants Fellow at DCU.

Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) belonging to the Artificial Intelligence methods play an ever increasing role in modern science. Developed in the 1950s, inspired by the neuron structure and the way in which the human brain works, they have been finding increasingly powerful and exciting applications in all branches of science.

While "hard model" chemical or biological systems can be exactly described by formulas, equations and the values of parameters, ANN, using a “soft model“, can do the same even when the exact description is not known or is too complex.

Professor Joset Havel, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic at the recent ANN workshop hosted by the National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University on 10 & 11 March 2008

ANN are often thought of as something mysterious, very difficult to understand and are thus presented just as a black box. Therefore the principals of ANN were explained and their enormous potential for modelling a broad range of processes encompassing virtually all areas of science was elucidated.

The workshop was designed to suit scientists from all fields, with examples from such varied areas as recognition of images applied to automated classification of species (plants, insects), prediction of a drug with the highest biological activity, determination of post-mortem interval in forensic investigations and spectroscopic multicomponent analysis.

Utilisation of ANN was documented on abundant examples from numerous areas of science and chemistry including analytical chemistry which is the speaker’s primary field of expertise. The examples involve applications in classification, biology, medical diagnosis, forensic science, soft modelling of various chemical processes, QSAR, optimisation, multicomponent analysis, process analysis, and optimization of analytical methods for the determination of a broad range of analytes including simple ions, antiviral drugs, pharmaceutical products, antidotes against chemical weapons, nucleotides, complex peptides/protein mixtures etc. The participants were invited to bring along their own data and several of them were successfully applying ANN to their problems before the end of the course.

'Molecular Modelling course using Gaussian03 by Dr. Massimo Fusaro (Italy)-21st- 25th January 2008 Funded by School of Chemical Sciences

This course focused on Gaussian03, a powerful molecular modelling programme, well known in the field of computational chemistry.

Gaussian allows the prediction of the various types of experimental data such as Raman, IR and NMR spectra, bond energies, dipole moments and more for molecules both small and complex.

The course was given by Dr. Massimo Fusaro, a researcher in the Molecular Modelling Section (MMS) in the department of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Padova in Italy.

Dr. Fusaro is currently researching his second PhD in the field of molecular modelling (supervisor Prof. S. Moro) so participants of the course gained a lot from his extensive knowledge during the course.

The participants of the course were members of the Separations Science Cluster and the Adaptive Information Cluster working in both the School of Chemical Sciences and the NCSR.

This course gave a huge benefit to the participants many of whom are working with complex organic molecules such as spiropyrans and spirooxazines. The course gave an insight into the complex nature of such molecules.

Seminars - 2007

Date	Speaker	Title	From
12 Dec 07	Prof. Mathias Senge	Porphyrins - A Chemists View of the Pigments of Life	Trinity College Dublin
28 Nov 07	Dr. Kevin McGuigan	Solar Disinfection of Drinking Water (SODIS): Saving Lives with Sunlight	RCSI Dublin
27 Nov 07	Prof. Jean Cadet	Direct and sensitized effects of solar radiation on the DNA of cells and human skin: photoproduct formation and repair	Laboratoire "Lésions des Acides Nucléiques", LCIB (UMR-E 3 CEA-UJF), DRFMC, CEA/Grenoble,
14 Nov 07	Dr. Andrea Erxleben	Polydental Mono- and Dinucleating N,O Ligands: Coordination Behaviour, Metallobiosite Modelling and Coordination Polymers	NUI Galway
24 Sept 07	Prof. Gordon Wallace	Polymers Down Under makes Irish Sense - Putting Australian materials to use in Ireland	University of Wollongong, Australia
14 Sept 07	Prof. Maurice Whelan	Functional imaging and optical sensing techniques for in vitro cell diagnostics – application to automated high content screening	The Joint Research Centre (EU)
14 Sept 07	Prof. Roberto Raiteri	Nanotechnology approaches for biosensing applications (hosted by CBAS)	Nanoengineering & Nanobiotechnology Group, D.I.B.E., University of Genoa, Italy
05 Sept 07	Dr. W. Frank Bohlen	Time series studies of estuarine sedimentary processes (hosted by SmartCoast)	University of Connecticut, USA
29 Jun 07	Prof. Jiri Homola	Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensors	Institute of Photonics & Electronics, Academy of Sciences, Czech
04 May 07	Prof. Pauline Rudd	New technologies for glycan analysis provide tools for biomarker discovery and control of bioprocessing of glycotherpeutics	The Conway Institute, UCD
27 Apr 07	Prof. Sue Lunte	Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications of Capillary and Microchip Electrophoresis	Kansas University, USA
20 Apr 07	Prof. Graham Leggett	Towards new tools for zeptomolar analysis: Bionanofabrication by near-field optical methods	Dept. of Chemistry at Sheffield University, UK.
18 Apr 07	Dr. Mirek Macka	In the search of Tools for Separation Sciences	NCSR
28 Mar 07	Prof. Norbert Hoffmann	Radical Addition of Tertiary Amines with Alkenes - Application to the Synthesis of Nitrogen Containing Heterocycles	University of Reims, France
14 Mar 07	Ms. Siobhán Dunne	Introduction to DCU Library Services for Researchers	DCU
07 Mar 07	Ms. Emma O'Neill	Introduction to Intellectual Property	DCU/BDI
23 Feb 07	Dr. Kieran Nolan	The development of new supramolecular structures for medicinal and sensor applications	NCSR

NCSR awarded €2.4M under Beaufort Awards - 6th November 2007

The NCSR has been awarded €2.4 million under the Beaufort Awards to carry out Marine Environmental Research (www.marine.ie).

The awards which amount to some €20 million will create over 140 new positions for researchers and students working in 5 scientific consortia addressing issues identified as part of the SeaChange Programme. This programme will develop new opportunities in areas such as sustainable energy, functional foods, transport, technology and environmental monitoring.

The consortium at DCU brings together world-class researchers from the National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR) at DCU, covering areas such as biosensors, analytical science, remote sensing, high speed separations, optical sensors and biochip platforms, with specialists in video imaging, image processing and information extraction, and focuses their combined expertise on Marine Sensors and Communications.

A full list of projects is available here. The Research Group has a position still available for 1 Ph.D. student.

A total of 14 Summer undergraduate placements will be available and details on projects for Summer Internships and the process for internships will be posted in the near future.

Environmental Research Symposium - October 24th 2007

On October 24 2007 the NCSR held a half-day symposium to showcase the environmental research in DCU across the areas of separations science, engineering, sensors, physical & biological sciences etc. showing connectivity and interdisciplinarity of this science.

This symposium was based around the visit of Dr Jeff Talley (University of Notre Dame) and his research students. The Talley Research Group (TRG) at the University of Notre Dame has developed an exciting technique for the identification and partial quantification of faecal contamination indicators to include Escherichia Coli (EC), Total Coliforms and/or enterococci. Dr Talley and his group also work on a combined sewer overflow (CSO) network for monitoring flows. CSOnet addresses the CSO problem by using an embedded wireless sensor and control network. The networked sensors are controlled by embedded microprocessors that exchange information via wireless communication. These intelligent sensors allow for real-time monitoring and control of CSO levels and flows, at spatial and temporal resolutions that are uncommon in water quality monitoring systems.

This symposium raised the profile of the University in environmental research and build on our recent successes in this area, as well as providing NCSR with opportunities to collaborate with other groups within DCU and in the general area of environmental research.

Such a symposium on Environmental Monitoring provided a stimulus for new collaborative projects for QUESTOR, a well-established environmental research centre at Queens University Belfast. Dr Fiona Regan of the NCSR is the DCU co-ordinator of QUESTOR, In November 2005 QUESTOR and DCU signed a formal agreement to carry out collaborative research and as such DCU became the first university partner outside Belfast. In 2006 Stevens University in the US, signed a similar agreement to become a partner in this environmental research Centre. Currently DCU has three Questor-funded research projects in the areas of environmental sensors, materials and waste treatment.

This symposium was attended by members of the Schools of Chemical Sciences, Biotechnology, Physical Sciences, Computing and Centre for Digital Video Processing and undergraduate students of Environmental Science.

September 2007

NCSR Hamilton Symposium

6th September 2007

This year's Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholarship Programme drew to a close today. The end was marked with a Symposium at which both scholarship students gave clear and informative presentations on the work they had been carrying out over the past 10 weeks.

Sébastien Cueff's presentation, entitled Gold Nano-layer Coated Porous Silica Monolith Capillaries for Separation Science, introduced the audience to the techniques he used to coat the inside surfaces of tiny pieces of silica with a gold paint formulation, and the analytical methods employed to characterise the resulting coating. Gold-coated silica monoliths have potential uses in separating sulphur-containing compounds.

Adedayo Oyinloye gave an overview of the current difficulty of diagnosing osteoarthritis and how the novel technique he was working on could be used as a relatively simple and accurate test at early stages of the disease in his presentation Detection of Calcium Phosphate Crystals from Synovial Fluid.

The NCSR would like to congratulate both Sébastien & Adedayo on their successful work over the summer, and would like to thank the students' supervisors, Dr. Mirek Macka and the Separation Science Cluster, and Dr. Gillian McMahon and the Bioanalytical Chemistry & Diagnostics group, for hosting the students in their labs.

Adedayo Oyinloye and Sébastien Cueff with Prof. Malcolm Smyth, NCSR Interim Director

August 2007

NCSR/IPRI Symposium on the Application of Intelligent Polymer Materials for Sensors - 24th September

28th August 2007

The NCSR is proud to host the symposium "Polymers Down Under Makes Irish Sense", in association with the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute of the University of Wollongong. The afternoon will be packed with presentations on the complimentary research being carried out in the two centres on opposite sides of the world. Prof. Gordon Wallace will start proceedings with a talk on "Organic Conductors: Novel Architectures Providing New Platforms for Sensing Technologies". Prof. Wallace has a long history of collaborations with the NCSR and is a former SFI Walton Fellow.

Click here for the symposium schedule.

A poster session is included in the afternoon's proceedings. If you would like to present at this please register your interest with Dr. Aoife Morrin (aoife.morrin@dcu.ie). If you are interested in attending the symposium, please contact Aoife.

Prof. Gordon Wallace - Director of the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) &
Executive Research Director of the Austrialian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science

NCSR Hosts Workshop for SFI STARs

8th August 2007

SFI Secondary Teacher Assistant Researchers (STARs) today faced the challenge of lighting a small bulb with a battery and just one wire. Thinking it couldn't be done, the STARs experimented with various set ups and discovered that there were actually a number of possibilities that would light the bulb. This activity was part of a workshop developed and delivered by Dr. Paul van Kampen of DCU's School of Physical Sciences and the Centre for the Advancement of Science Teaching and Learning (CASTeL). The workshop demonstrated the technique of teaching by guided-inquiry, which encourages students to explore new ideas through small group, collaborative, hands-on work. This technique has been shown to improve students' understanding of a topic, rather than focusing on learning a new set of facts in isolation.

The teachers all agreed that the technique could be used effectively in their classrooms to introduce a number of science topics to Junior Certificate students.

SFI Secondary Teacher Assistant Researchers exploring electrical circuits by guided-inquiry learning

July 2007

SFI STAR

July 2007

The NCSR is host to one SFI Secondary Teacher Assistant Researcher (STAR) this year. Deirdre Brennan, a science teacher at Moyle Park College, Clondalkin, is working with Dr. Brian Kelleher of the School of Chemical Sciences, studying organic matter on the River Shannon. Deirdre has been welcomed in to the lab and is working closely with postgraduate students Margaret McCaul, Michal Szpak and Adrian Spence.

This is Deirdre's second year as a STAR, returning to work in Dr. Kelleher's group. She finds the research experience extremely valuable and hopes to gain new insights to bring back to her classroom.

Deirdre Brennan

NCSR Hamilton Undergraduate Scholarships

July 2007

The Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholarship gives students the opportunity to spend 8 weeks during the summer months carrying out research in the National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR). Hamilton projects are drawn from the broad range of research being carried out within the centre.

This year the NCSR is host to two Hamilton Scholars, Adedayo Oyinloye and Sébastien Cueff.

Adedayo is studying Chemical & Pharmaceutical Science at DCU and he is working with Dr. Gillian McMahon in the Bioanalytical Chemistry & Diagnostics group on the 'Detection of basic calcium phosphate crystals (BCP) from synovial fluids'.

Sébastien is a student of Materials & Nanotechnology at the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) in Rennes, France. He is working with Dr. Mirek Macka in the Separations Science Cluster on a project entitled 'Exotic Monoliths for Separation Science and Beyond: Controlled Deposition of Gold Nanoparticles into Nanolayers'.

Sébastien Cueff

Adedayo Oyinloye

June 2007

NCSR Hosts Artificial Neural Networks Training Workshop

8th June 2007

The NCSR hosted a very successful workshop on the application of Artificial Neural Network modeling, given by Prof. Josef Havel from MU Brno, Czech Republic and NCSR Academic Member Dr. Mirek Macka.

Artificial neural networks (ANN) provide an excellent model for the study of physicochemical systems.

The workshop looked at examples from chemistry, physics, forensic science, environmental modeling, chemical equilibria and pattern recognition in biology. The ANN technique is applicable to all fields of experimental science.

Prof. Havel and Dr. Macka introduced the concept of ANN using real-life examples, rather than theoretically, allowing participants to learn not only basic principles but how to design and evaluate experiments using the ANN approach.

Prof. Josef Havel is a leading capacity in Chemometry and utilisation of ANN in science and is currently a DCU International Visitors Program awardee and Dr. Mirek Macka is a Marie Curie Excellence Grants Fellow at NCSR and School of Chemical Sciences at DCU.

NCSR Research Showcased at Commercialisation Conference

7th June 2007

Ireland’s first commercialisation conference, Growth Through Technology, took place on Wednesday 23 May 2007. Eye catching innovations from Prof. Dermot Diamond's research team, exhibited at the conference highlighted the NCSR's strong sensor research with 'user friendly' demonstrations. The NCSR is working closely with Invent to commercialise technology developed in the centre.

Over 250 delegates from three key technology areas; Lifesciences & Food, Informatics and Industrial Technologies, attended the event, organised by Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Team. Enterprise Ireland’s commercialisation experts act as the liaison between researchers in third level and industry and match suitable technologies with company ambitions.

Venture capitalists, private investors and entrepreneurs met with senior researchers at the conference with the aim of developing stronger links between industry and the research community to accelerate the commercialisation of research results.

Speaking at the conference, Enterprise Ireland Chief Executive Frank Ryan said “To enhance Ireland’s economic competitiveness and ensure continued growth, industry and the research community must collaborate to produce cutting-edge technologies that are innovative and useful and that can be brought to market in the shortest time-frame possible.
[See www.dcu.ie for more information]

Richard Stokes and Ron Immink of Invent discuss NCSR-developed 'Smart Clothing' with Frank Ryan, Chief Executive of Enterprise Ireland and Feargal O'Morain, Executive Director Applied Research and Commercialisation

April 2007

Outstanding Graduate Researcher Awards

Congratulations to Dr. Jonathan Bones and Dr. Barry Ryan, who were announced as recipients of this year's DCU Faculty of Science and Health Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award.

Jonathan is a member of Prof. Brett Paull's Analytical Separations Research Group, working on the analysis of pharmaceutical residues in environmental waste waters.

Barry undertook his PhD studies with Dr. Ciarán Fagan. His work was aimed at improving enzymes for biosensors. He now works with Enfer Scientific Ltd.

Four NCSR-based researchers have received this award in its short two year history.

awards

(L-R) Jonathan Bones, Norah Nelson & Barry Ryan with Prof. Robert Forster, Associate Dean for Research

Launch of Beaufort Marine Research Awards

The Beaufort Marine Research Awards were officially launched today by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr. Noel Dempsey, T.D. Through the awards, named after Francis Beaufort, creator of the Beaufort Scale used to measure wind intensity, the Government is providing €20 million over the next seven years to significantly develop Ireland's research capacity in the Marine sector.

The awards are open to any marine research group on the island of Ireland and will target research leadership of international standing by making funding available for Principal Investigators and a number of researchers with seven year contracts. The NCSR aims to develop a number of significant projects through the Beaufort Awards, as it seeks to establish Environmental Research as a Priority Research Theme.

The awards are an important elemend of "Sea Change - A Marine Knowledge Research and Innovation Strategy for Ireland 2007-2013".

beaufort

Dr. Jackie Glynn, NCSR Centre Manager (third from right), & Dr. Breda Kiernan of the Adaptive Sensors Group (second from right), pictured with Minister Dempsey at the launch of the Beaufort Marine Research Awards

March 2007

Adaptive Sensors Group Launches Smart Packaging

Congratulations to Prof. Dermot Diamond and his team of researchers in the Adaptive Sensors Group who featured in the news this week announcing their “Smart Packaging”. The team has developed small sensor spots that can detect spoilage of pre-packed fish and fish products by displaying a colour change as the fish loses its freshness. The sensors were tested in collaboration with Superquinn and will help them to provide high standard produce to the customer. The team has patented aspects of this technology and is now looking to further develop and commercialise their smart packaging. For more information visit www.dcu.ie/chemistry/asg/news.shtml.

smartfood

Dr. Karl Crowley and Dr. Alexis Pacquit show off the new Smart packaging

New Member of the RIA

Prof. Brian MacCraith was recently elected a member of the Royal Irish Academy in recognition of his pioneering work in the field of optical chemical sensors and biosensors.

Associate Professorship

Dr. Colette McDonagh of the School of Physical Sciences and the NCSR was recently awarded an Associate Professorship by Dublin City University for her work in the field of optical sensing and photonics. Colette is a member of the Optical Sensors Laboratory, a research group within the NCSR.

February 2007

Engineered - A Week of Wonder

The first annual Week of Wonder organized by the Institute of Engineers of Ireland took place in February. The NCSR hosted a hands-on workshop for children aged 8 to 14 as part of two days of events in DCU on February 22 and 23.

"Futuristic Blood Testing - Chip Size" highlighted the emerging technology of point-of-care biomedical devices and the important role played by engineers in its development. Children were introduced to different types of microfluidic chip and explored how fluids flow through them and how UV light can be used to detect results through a variety of interactive experiments. Over 50 children attended the workshop over the two days and were wowed by the science and engineering behind this important technology.

Clare Taylor explains how engineers are needed to develop new medical technology.

US-Ireland R&D Partnership - Sensors Initiative

The US-Ireland R&D Partnership Sensors Conference was held on 20th and 21st February 2007 in Dublin. The NCSR was well represented at the event, which hosted over 100 delegates. Prof. Brian MacCraith and Prof. Dermot Diamond were among the guest speakers and a large number of NCSR researchers presented posters outlining their work in the sensors field.

The two-day workshop covered the themes of wireless sensor networks, environmental sensors, biomedical & bioanalytical sensors and Point-of-Care diagnostics.

The NCSR is at the forefront of research to develop new sensor technologies for a wide variety of applications, which was borne out by the prominence of our members at the event.

The US-Ireland R&D Partnership (www.intertradeireland.com/usirlr-dpship) is an initiative that aims to increase the level of collaborative R&D amongst researchers and industry across the United States of America, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland that will generate innovations to the marketplace and lead to health and economic benefits.

The goal of the Partnership is to promote three-way, collaborative research projects that address the visionary and exciting research challenges in the areas of Sensors, Nanotechnology, Diabetes, Cystic Fibrosis and Emerging Respiratory Infections which have been identified as priority areas for collaboration.

The principles of the Partnership include:

Participation by researchers from the three jurisdictions in each initiative supported
Competitive peer review
Joint funding, the relevant government bodies and agencies of each jurisdiction supporting the research carried out in their jurisdiction

January 2007

Prof. Brett Paull receives President's Research Award

Professor Brett Paull was recently presented with the DCU President's Research Award, the University’s highest research distinction.
Professor Paull, Head of the School of Chemical Sciences and member of the NCSR, received the award for his outstanding contribution to research in Science and Engineering. He is internationally recognized for his contributions to the development of separation science based technologies. He has received particular recognition for his research into ion chromatography and capillary electrophoresis of small inorganic ions. This aspect of his research was recognized in 2005 through the award of the Society of Analytical Chemists Silver Medal, an annual international award for leading analytical scientists under 35 years of age.
He heads a research group of 15, with many active collaborations with international groups based in the UK, Austria, Russia, Norway, the US and Australia. He has authored 77 journals and book articles and has also secured considerable research funding from both national and European sources.

Prof. Brett Paull, Prof. Ferdinand von Prondzynski, DCU President, Prof. Eugene O'Kennedy,Vice President for Research and Prof. Gary Murphy, recipient of the Award for Humanities and Social Sciences

NCSR Research Shows 100% Cocaine Contamination in Banknote Sample

An ongoing research project into the detection of illicit drug use has shown that of a sample of bank notes in current circulation in the greater Dublin area - €5, €10, €20 and €50 denominations - 100% of them
showed contamination with cocaine.

The research was carried out by PhD student, Jonathan Bones, working under the supervision of Professor Brett Paull at the National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR). The research was funded by the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology.

Using a technique involving chromatography/mass spectrometry, a sample of 45 bank notes were analysed to show the level of contamination by cocaine. The cotton structure of the Euro bank notes absorbs chemical
residues, making it relatively easy to analyse. While all of the notes proved positive for cocaine contamination, three showed the presence of heroin. Contamination can occur whenever direct contact between the note and the drug takes place, either through the common practice of 'snorting' through a rolled-up banknote, as a result of transfer during drug dealing or through the cross-contamination of notes during the counting process in financial institutions.

62% of notes were contaminated with levels of cocaine at concentrations greater than 2 nanograms/note, with 5% of the notes showing levels greater than 100 times higher, indicating suspected direct use of the note in either drug dealing or drug inhalation. The highest amounts of cocaine residues were found on €20 and €50 bank notes, as compared to €5 and €10. The remainder of the notes which showed only ultra-trace quantities of cocaine was most probably the result of contact with other contaminated notes, which could have occurred within bank counting machines or from other contaminated surfaces.

"This is the largest sample of notes ever used in an experiment of this kind in Ireland", Bones said. "A larger number of notes would give a more representative view of cocaine use in our society, but the number used is sufficient from which to draw conclusions. The most recent survey carried out in the US showed 65% of dollar notes were contaminated with cocaine. However, the 100% rate uncovered in this project was surprising. Although not a quantitative measure, the presence of illicit substances on banknotes in general circulation
provides an indication of the degree to which substances are being used by the community".

"The greatest advantage to using money as the test matrix is that it is readily available, non-invasive, anonymous and relatively safe to work with. Further research would need to be carried out to provide a more accurate picture of the scope of cocaine and heroin use in Ireland today", said Professor Brett Paull.

Seminars - 2006

Date	Speaker	Title	From
15 Dec 06	Dr. Michael Rodgers	Novel biofilm technologies for treating wastewaters	NUI Galway
15 Dec 06	Dr. Michael Nielsen	Microsensor technologies for wastewater biofilm dynamics	NUI Galway
13 Dec 06	Josef Havel	Artificial Neural Networks in Science: Magical "black box" OR simple and powerful tool?	Department of Analytical Chemistry, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
17 Nov 06	Prof. Ian Marison	Encapsulation as a technology for removing, dosing or measuring in a wide range of fields and environments	Head of the School of Biotechnology, DCU
19 Oct 06	Seamus Higson	Sonochemically Fabricated Micro-electrode Arrays for Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors	Professor of Bio and Electroanalysis at Cranfield University
06 Oct 06	Prof. Per Venge	How sensitive should a cardiac troponin assay be?	Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden
02 Jun 06	Dr. Ian Mercer	Advance of multidimensional biophotonics to simulation and imaging	UCD
19 May 06	Dr. Steffen Peterson	Oriented Protein Immobilisation on Biosensor Surfaces using Photonic Activation	Aalborg University, Denmark
05 May 06	Prof. Dermot Diamond	Multifunctional Materials - Foundations for the next generation of analytical devices	DCU
21 Apr 06	Dr. Alan Kearns	Ethical Issues in Diagnostics	DCU
07 Apr 06	Dr. Ciaran Fagan, Dr. Neil Carolan & Mr. Barry Ryan	"New Adventures in Peroxidases"	DCU
24 Mar 06	Prof. Suzi Jarvis	Nanobiotechnology	CRANN/ TCD
10 Mar 06	Prof. Jochen Prehn	Watching cells die: Protein dynamics and protein interaction during apoptotic cell death	RCSI
24 Feb 06	Dr. Jens Sobek	Microarrays through the eyes of a chemist - Surface chemistry and applications in DNA, protein, antibody, peptide and carbohydrate microarraying.	Functional Genomics Centre, Zurich
10 Feb 06	Prof. John Kelly	Photophysical and photochemical probing of DNA by metal complexes	TCD

December 2006

An Taoiseach Launches the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute

The BDI hosted its launch and 1st annual symposium on Monday, December 11th 2006. Institute Director, Prof. Brian MacCraith, opened the launch, which was attended by over 120 industry and academic invitees. A number of distinguished speakers addressed the assembly. The key note speaker was Prof. Adam Heller from the Department of Engineering in the University of Texas. Prof Heller, a giant in the field of electrochemical biosensors founded one of the most successful biosensor companies in the world. Prof. Heller inspired the audience with his presentation on the founding his company TheraSense, which was acquired in 2004 by Abbott Laboratories for €1.2 billion. BDI Industrial partners - Hospira, Becton-Dickinson and Enfer also gave presentations on the future of diagnostics while Prof. KK Jain, CEO of Jain Pharmabiotech, gave a talk on “Advanced Diagnostics and Personal Health”. Another of the speakers, Dr. Brenda Korte, Program Director with the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) spoke about an exciting new venture to forge links between researchers on the island of Ireland and the US.
The event closed with a controversial discussion facilitate by Brian Trench, Head of the School of Communications in DCU, entitled “Who will monitor your health? – Opportunities and Risks of Future Technologies. The panel including Mr. Oliver Tattan, CEO of VIVAS Health, Mr. Gerry McQuaid, Commercial Director of O2 Ireland, Dr. Karina Halley, Lecturer in Ethics at Trinity and BDI PI and Education and Outreach Leader Prof. Richard O’Kennedy shared key view points on the controversial topic of access to personal health information by third parties such as health insurance companies.

Prof. Ferdinand von Prondzynski, DCU President, An Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D., Prof. Brian MacCraith, BDI Director & Dr. Mark Keane, SFI Director General at the BDI launch

Invention Disclosure Awards

Congratulations to Brendan O’Connor, Pamela O’Brien and Yvonne Birney for their recent success at the INVENT Invention Disclosure Awards. They were awarded the overall prize of €1000 for their disclosure entitled “Fluorimetric quantitative assay for seprase”.

Congratulations also to the other successful NCSR award recipients:

Malcolm Smyth, Tony Killard and Aoife Morrin (with Gordon Wallace’s group, University of Wollongong) for “Polyaniline modified electrode and method for manufacturing same”
Thomas Ruckstuhl and Brian MacCraith for “Polymer biochip for detecting fluorescence”
Conor Burke, Thomas Ruckstuhl and John Moore for their “Optical probe”, and
Ciaran Fagan and Barry Ryan for “Horseradish peroxidase mutants”
Ciaran Smyth, Dermot Diamond and Roderick Shepherd (with Gordon Wallace's group, University of Wollongong) for " Self-maintained colorimetric acid/base sensor using polypyrrole acutator".

The awards were set up to recognise the contribution to research commercialisation of DCU researchers who work with Invent to protect and commercialise their research. The award ceremony was held on November 30th in the Invent Centre, DCU.

The winners of the INVENT Invention Disclosure Awards

November 2006

Science Week 2006

It was a busy week in the NCSR with the BDI hosting workshops for over 200 primary and secondary school students on ‘Fantastic Fluorescence’ and ‘Me and My Body’, and the NCSR running an ‘Eco-Sensor’ workshop for primary schools at the National Botanic Gardens.

The NCSR was well represented at the Faculty of Science and Health Open Day on Wednesday 15th November. Students visiting the NCSR stand were treated to a flashy demo of the disco spectrophotometer – a small device developed by AIC researchers that is capable of detecting traces of harmful metals in water samples. Students also found out about future careers as research scientists from some of our researchers who were on hand to answer questions and share their experiences of studying science at university. The BDI stand highlighted many of the advances in medical diagnostics through hands-on activities. Many thanks to the volunteers who helped to staff the stands

September 2006

NCSR Hamilton Undergraduate Scholarships

Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholarship
The NCSR's Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholarship program provides students with direct experience of a research environment during their summer holidays. The program is open to undergraduate Science & Engineering Students from 3rd level institutes in Ireland.

This year the NCSR hosted three successful students:

Magdalena Emilianow, a student of Management and Production Engineering at the University of Zielona Gora, Poland, worked with the Sensors and Separations group on a research project entitled “Investigation of nanostructured sensing materials for novel biosensor fabrication methodologies”, under the supervision of Dr. Aoife Morrin.
Thomas Kelly studies Applied Physics in DCU. His research project was entitled “Optical detection on microfluidic chips with light emitting diodes and laser diodes”. He worked with the Analytical Separations group under the supervision of Dr. Mirek Macka and Dr. Brett Paull.
Yinka Rahman, a student of Analytical Science in DCU undertook a study of "The use of novel passive sampling materials for the screening of priority pollutants” with Dr. Fiona Regan.

Click here to read an article published in Spin Magazine by Hamilton Scholar Thomas Kelly on his research project - www.sciencespin.com.

NCSR 2006 Hamilton Scholars - Yinka Rahman, Thomas Kelly & Magdalena Emilianow,
with Prof. Malcolm Smyth & Dr. Aoife Morrin

EU FP 7 Seminar - 05/10/06

Dr. Martha Cahill, National Contact Point for Life Science, Genomics & Biotechnology for Health at Enterprise Ireland visited the NCSR to give a briefing on EU FP 7 Funding for Health. Her talk included background to FP 7, rules for participation, project structures and the evaluation process.

Presentation slides are available here (pdf format).

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