SCHOOLIn this issueBiochemistry and Biotechnology SocietyPeople in the NewsOutreach ActivitiesSpring Open DayUpcoming Events Hot off the Press! Recent Publications

Message from Head of SchoolYou are very welcome to this e-Newsletter covering the period April-May.

It is exam time already and many of you are busy marking, invigilating or taking examinations. This situation changes in the coming academic year when we move to a semesterised system. The first semester begins on September 8th and runs until Friday 29th November. A study week follows from 1st to 5th December and all modules taken in Semester 1 are examined in Autumn examinations in the period 8th to 19th December. Semester 2 runs from 12th January until 3rd April followed by a study week, 20th to 25th April. All modules taken in Semester 2 will be examined in the period 27th April to 15th May 2015. This process is the largest and most complex teaching and learning change ever undertaken in UCC. Dr Sinead Kerins has done sterling work on behalf of this School in dealing with timetabling and other changes made necessary by this new system.

On the research side, Professor Tom Cotter and Professor John Atkins were recently awarded some €2.5 million by Science Foundation Ireland. Of 32 grants, UCC was awarded four grants and Tyndall three, so two grants coming to the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology is a real coup for this School and is a testament to the internationally competitive research going on here. I congratulate Tom and John for their hard work in winning such competitive funding especially in such a deteriorating funding landscape. You will find details of these research awards elsewhere in this e-Newsletter. I hope you enjoy reading about our activities.

Professor David Sheehan

SCHOOL OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY NEWSLETTERVOLUME 1 ISSUE 6 APRIL-MAY 2014

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The Biochemistry and Biotechnology Society raise EUR 3000 for charityFollowing the charity bake and book sale, and raffle in aid of Cork Simon Community and the Irish Cancer Society, the UCC Biochemistry and Biotechnology Society were delighted to raise €3000. On March 19th, members of the Biochemistry and Biotechnology Society committee presented a cheque

for €1,500 to Kerry MacMahon, Community Partnerships Manager at Cork Simon Community. A cheque for €1,500 was also presented to the Irish Cancer Society, by Bryan Savage a 3rd year class representative on the Biochemistry and Biotechnology society, who is also a member of the Cancer Society, UCC. Thanks once again to everyone who supported this event and made it such a success. Your support is very much appreciated by the Biochemistry and Biotechnology Society committee members.

The Biochemistry and Biotechnology SocietyThe Biochemistry and Biotechnology Society was established in 2006 to organise scientific and social events for the Biochemistry Department (now School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology) on behalf of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Over the past seven years the society has held interesting seminars, research days, table quizzes etc.

Members of the Biochemistry and Biotechnology Society present a cheque for EUR 1500 to Kerry McMahon, Community Partnerships Manager, Cork Simon Community. From left to right: Anita Maguire, Aine Stanton, David O’Sullivan, Linda Hearn, Julie O’Sullivan, Caroline Coleman, Kerry McMahon, Evan Gilman-Burke, Ian McDermott and Joan Lenihan.

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The Biochemistry and Biotechnology society raised EUR 3000 from their Charity Bake and Book Sale (and Raffle) event!

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sFunding for ResearchStaff in the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology were recently awarded the following research grants:Professor Tom Cotter was awarded €1,145,954 by Science Foundation Ireland for a project entitled: Cell Survival signalling mechanisms and drug delivery strategies for retinal neuroprotection.Professor Tom Cotter was awarded €182,778 by the Children’s Leukaemia Research Project fund entitled: Development and biological characterisation of isoellipticine derivatives as potential anti-Leukaemic drugs.Professor John Atkins was awarded €1,523,518 by Science Foundation Ireland for a project entitled: Dynamic redefinition of codons: From antivirals to an essential micronutrient. http://www.sfi.ie/news-resources/press-releases/minister-bruton-and-sherlock-announce-funding-of-%E2%82%AC47million-for-scientific-research.html

Professor Tom Cotter

Professor John Atkins, pictured last September at the Masters in Molecular Cell Biology with Bioinnovation Symposium which was hosted in the Jennings Gallery, UCC

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Staff in the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology were recently awarded grants for research.

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Biochemistry student wins 2nd place in SEFS Cup science competitionMarch 19th saw the hosting of the first “SEFS Cup”. This new annual event allows any UCC student to make a presentation of up to 15 minutes on any topic of science they like. It was organised and funded by the Science Society who sponsored generous cash prizes for the event.Aside from this being a great way to learn about niche and upcoming areas of science, the SEFS Cup is also a great way to practice public speaking skills amongst peers. Multiple prize categories exist, including best first year and second year speaker, in addition to overall 1st and 2nd prizes. Participants included more than just those from SEFS; there were also students studying archaeology and full time researchers from the Tyndall Institute taking part in the competition. The standard of presentations did not disappoint, with the competition being judged by Dr. Declan Kennedy from the education department in UCC, an executive

from KPL recruitment, and the head of the Philosophical Society. The School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology was represented well by 4th year Biochemistry student Tomás McCabe who claimed overall 2nd place for the presentation of his work on blue mussels that was conducted as part of his final year project.

People on the move!Dr Paul Korrir, a recent graduate from NUIG (PhD in Bioinformatics), has just joined Dr Pasha Baranov’s research group. Congratulations to Kathy Barriscale (Professor Tommie McCarthy’s lab) and Ronan O’Riordan (Dr Tom Moore’s lab) for successfully defending their PhD theses recently.

Tomás McCabe, 4th year Biochemistry, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology

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Tomás McCabe, 4th year Biochemistry student claimed overall 2nd place for the presentation of his work on blue mussels.

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Transition Year ProgrammeThe School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology ran their annual transition year programme in March 2014. This was designed in 2005 and is in high demand by transition year students.

The transition programme offers students an opportunity to complete a wide variety of experiments and gives them an insight into the research conducted in the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Students were taught basic techniques such as good laboratory

“I found this course very worthwhile. It covers a lot of experiments which will benefit the Leaving Cert. We even learned important techniques such as how to use a pipette. It gives a great insight to Biochemistry and has encouraged me to consider Biochemistry as a potential career option”. Sophie Horgan, St Angelas College. “The week as a whole was very enjoyable. I made loads of friends and learned so much about Biochemistry. So much fun!” James Keaveney-Jimenez, Christian Brothers College. “All the course content was relevant and interesting”. Michael O’Keeffe, Millstreet Community School.“It was a very positive experience. I met different people and I felt comfortable around the staff, who were very friendly. Some of the experiments were challenging and I made a few mistakes. Overall, I really enjoyed my time here”. Tony O’Leary, Colaiste Choilm School.

practice, how to use pipettes, pH meters, prepare agar plates and more advanced techniques such as; transformation, DNA extraction, agarose gel electrophoresis and restriction digestion. The students also got to develop their team and presentation skills and on the final day they gave group PowerPoint presentations of their experimental results obtained during the week to some of the staff in the School.

Student Testimonials

“I really enjoyed the week and learned so much about both Biology and UCC. I got to do experiments that we normally wouldn’t get to do in school”. John Fehilly, Presentation Brothers College. “I have greatly enjoyed the week in UCC regarding Biology and the cells. The staff were friendly and extremely

helpful as well. I also enjoyed working with all the different members in the group and I have made many new friends this week. The experiments we conducted were difficult at times, but without a doubt very fun to do. Overall the week gave me a good insight into a real life job which uses

certain aspects of Biology in it.” Daire O’Sullivan, Presentation Brothers College.

“I really enjoyed the programme and I will definitely now go to UCC to do Biochemistry”. John Keane, Christian Brothers College.

“I really enjoyed this week. It was a great experience and I learnt a lot. I definitely would love to pursue science in my future”. Ruth Kilgallon, Christ the King Girl’s Secondary School.

Transition Year students who applied to Dr Sinéad Kerins and were awarded a place on the School of Biochemistry and Biology training programme this academic year. Back Row: John Keane, Christian Brothers College, Cork; Michael O’Keeffe, Millstreet Community School, Co. Cork; Sophie Horgan, St. Angela’s College, Cork; Rachel Barry, Scoil Mhuire, Cork; Tony O’Leary, Colaiste Choilm School, Ballincollig, Co. Cork. Middle Row: Lee Pacheco, Coláiste an Chraoibhín, Fermoy Co. Cork; John Fehilly, Presentation Brothers College, Cork; James Keaveney-Jimenez, Christian Brothers College, Cork. Front Row: Ruth Kilgallon, Christ the King Girls Secondary School, South Douglas Rd, Cork; Aisling Bukulin, Blackwater Community School, Co. Waterford; Daire O’Sullivan, Presentation Brothers College, Cork; Kerianne Flanagan, Mount Mercy College, Cork.

Lee Pacheco, Coláiste an Chraoibhín, Fermoy

Sophie Horgan, (Jenny Duane, demonstrator, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Aisling Bukulin, John Fehilly and Rachel Barry.

Michael O’Keeffe and James Keaveney-Jimenez

Rachel Barry, Scoil Mhuire, CorkJohn Keane, Christian Brothers College, Cork

Aisling Bukulin, Blackwater Community School, Co. Waterford and Ruth Kilgallon, Christ the King Girls Secondary School, South Douglas Rd, Cork

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Thanks to Noreen Casey and Jenny Duane for supervising the students and providing assistance and advice to the students throughout the week.

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DNA WorkshopOn the 20th March 2014, the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology ran a DNA workshop for 18 fifth year students from Glanmire Community College. The students were accompanied by their Biology teacher, Mr Dan O’Sullivan, a past graduate of Biochemistry in UCC. During the workshop students determined which members of a particular family had Sickle Cell Anemia and which members were carriers of the disease. During the day, the students received hands-on laboratory experience and got to perform a restriction enzyme digest and pour, load, run, and view agarose gels. In addition, they isolated DNA

from various cell types. This laboratory experience was supplemented with a one hour lecture given by Jenny Duane, where topics such as: the cause of sickle cell anemia; how DNA encodes for proteins; and how DNA

is amplified by PCR were covered. This one day intensive DNA workshop provided an excellent introduction for the students to Molecular Biology and was designed

to complement the Leaving Cert Biology curriculum and envisaged to develop the interest of students in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics. Thanks to Noreen Casey, Jenny Duane and Trish Fowler for supervising the students during the workshop and making it such a success.

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During the day, the students received hands-on laboratory experience and performed a restriction enzyme digest and ran agarose gels.

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Visiting students from La Rochelle, FranceOn April 4th last, a group of second year BTS (degree of brevet de technicien supérieur ) students from Université de La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France, had the opportunity to visit the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. They were extremely interested in viewing Cell Biology laboratories and wanted to talk to

postgraduate students regarding their research.

On the day, Stephanie Davis and Michael Power (Cell Biology and Cell Signalling laboratory) gave excellent presentations of their research work to the students and answered any questions the students and the teachers that accompanied the students had. Following the presentations the group were taken on a tour of the

School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology research facilities by Dr Sinéad Kerins.

Thanks also to Marine Perriat and Quentin Pagneux, (currently on work experience with the Proteomics Research group), who spent time with the visiting group and advised them on the best sights to see in Cork.

Marine Perriat discusses her work experience at the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology with BTS students from Université de La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France

Dr Sinead Kerins, Marine Perriat and Quentin Pagneux chat informally with BTS students from Université de La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France

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Thanks to Marine Perriat and Quentin Pagneux, (currently on work experience with the Proteomics Research group), who spent time with the visiting group and advised them on sightseeing in Cork.

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UCC Spring Open DayThe UCC Spring Open day was held on the 11th April 2014. Professor Dave Sheehan, Professor Mary McCaffrey and Professor Dmitri Papkovsky were on hand to answer queries relating to Biological and Chemical Sciences, and the Biochemistry Degree outlet. In addition, Dr Paul Young, Dr Sinéad Kerins, Dr’s Dave Clarke and John Morgan (School of Microbiology), and Dr’s Elizabeth Brint and Collette Hand (Department of Pathology), provided information and dealt with student queries regarding the joint UCC/CIT Biomedical Science degree. Biochemistry graduate, Lucy O’Farrell provided tours of the undergraduate teaching laboratories in the School

of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and demonstrated various Molecular Biology techniques to the students. The students also got some hands on experience in loading agarose and SDS-PAGE gels. They really enjoyed this and were very impressed with the teaching facilities. The Open Day at UCC was a highly successful event attended by over 7,000 transition and fifth year students, representing more than 100 secondary schools. Professor Dave Sheehan would especially like to thank the academic and technical staff and Lucy O’Farrell for making our participation in this event such a success.

Dr ELizabeth Brint, Department of Pathology disusses Biomedical Science with secondary school students at Open Day

Lucy O’Farrell talks to 5th Year student, Niamh O’Donnell, St. Angela’s Waterford, and her mother, Noreen O’Donnell.

Dr Sinead Kerins demonstrates loading a gel to Treasa O’Mahony and Aoife Downey, both 5th year students at Ballincollig Community School Dr Paul Young

5th Year students, Claire O’Sullivan and Emer O’ Connell, Mount Mercy College

Dr Sinead Kerins and Professor Mary McCaffrey disuss Biochemistry with secondary school students at Open Day

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UCC Spring Open Day

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ntsRecoding: Reprogramming

Genetic Decoding Dr Pasha Baranov and Professor John Atkins are organizing an EMBO Workshop: “Recoding: Reprogramming Genetic Decoding” in Killarney, 13th-18th May.For more details, see: http://events.embo.org/14-recoding/application.html

Upcoming Seminars“Lysosomal Flux: Taking the trash out of neurodegenerative diseases”

Dr Barry Boland, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, UCC. Western Gateway G01, Tuesday 6th May at 1.00pm

“Mechanisms of nervous system homeostasis through autophagy regulation”

Dr Manolis Fanto, King’s College, London. Western Gateway G01, Tuesday 13th May at 1.00pm

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Loss of function mutations in the PINK1 gene cause Parkinson’s diseaseThe O’Neill lab with first author Ciara O’Flanagan have discovered a totally new function for PINK1, as a regulator of the cell cycle published in Oncogene (advance online March 31 2014).

The discovery opens up a whole new field of study for understanding the function of PINK1 in cancer, where it was first described, and also in Parkinson’s disease, where major research is prioritizing PINK1 research to discover the cell mechanisms that lead to Parkinson’s to develop better disease diagnostics and treatments. Ciara’s work was funded by the HRB PhD Scholars’ programme in Cancer Biology.

Recent Research Publications from this SchoolFoley, K. S. and Young, P. W. (2014) The non-muscle functions of actinins: an update. Biochem. J., 459, 1-13.Barriscale, K.A., O’Sullivan, S.A., McCarthy, T.V. (2014) A single secreted luciferase-based gene reporter assay. Anal. Biochem., 453, 44-9.Trevisan, R., Delapedra, G., Mello D.F., Arl, M., Schmidt, E.C., Bouzon, Z.L., Fisher, A., Sheehan, D., Dafre, A.L. (2014) Gills are an initial target of zinc oxide nanoparticles in oysters Crassostrea gigas, leading to mitochondrial disruption and oxidative stress. Aquatic Toxicology. IN PRESS doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2014.03.018Karlsen, O.A., Sheehan, D., Goksøyr, A. (2014) Alterations in the Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) hepatic thiol proteome after methylmercury exposure. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 77, 650-662.O’Flanagan, C.H., Morais,V.A., Wurst,W., De Strooper, B., O’Neill, C. (2014) The Parkinson’s gene PINK1 regulates cell cycle progression and promotes cancer-associated phenotypes. Oncogene. Advance online: March 31 2014.

NoticeAny material for inclusion in the next newsletter should be sent to the editor, Professor David Sheehan. Please email hosbcandcb@ucc.ie

Left: Cells with double nuclei, failing to divide in the absence of PINK1. Right: Nuclei have divided into daughter cells when PINK1 is expressed. Image: O’Flanagan C, O’Neill lab.

PAGE 10HOT OFF THE PRESS! RECENT PUBLICATIONS NEWSLETTERSCHOOL OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY

Any material for inclusion in the next

newsletter should be sent to the editor,

Professor David Sheehan.

EMAIL: hosbcandcb@ucc.ie