European Researchers’ Night 2024
NIBRT took part in European Researchers’ Night this year with an event on Thursday the 26th of September. Excited visitors were welcomed by PhD student Anna Mulligan and Research Scientist Dr. Corentin Beaumal. The atrium was busy with fun-filled learning activities for kids and adults alike. Dr. Simeng Li, a Research Scientist in the Cell Engineering lab used sweets to explain how a DNA double helix is formed, while Dr. Michelle Chain from the Bioprocess Systems Engineering Group described how antibodies work using modelling clay.
There was also a bench-top bioreactor on display and cells to view under a microscope with Senior Research Scientist, Dr. Yongjing Xie on hand to show visitors how we scale-up our antibody-producing cells from a small vial to manufacturing scale bioreactors. Our Director of Research, Dr. Fiona Killard-Lynch used a chocolate fountain to visualise the make-up of blood, with marshmallows as red and white blood cells in the plasma (white chocolate!).
There followed a series of talks from our research team where an engaged audience heard about a range of topics:
- Gene Therapy: Using Genes to Treat Disease
Dr. Julia Serna, Gene and Cell Therapy Scientist at CONCEPT
- Viruses: Friends or foes?
Dr. Felipe Guapo, Research Scientist in the Characterization and Comparability lab
- Expanding the genetic code to program new biopolymers
Dr. Alan Costello. NIBRT Principal Investigator
- Protein and RNA Based Medicines: Changing the Narrative on the Fight Against Chronic Conditions and Disease Near You
Prof. Mark Smales, NIBRT Principal Investigator
This event was topped off with a tour of our training labs and pilot plant with NIBRT trainers, Dr. James Flynn and Dr. Aoibhín Ryan and Neha Tusher, a Research Associate in the Formulation and Stability Group.
A big thank you to all our volunteers on the night and to the team at Start Talking About Research Today (START) who coordinated Irelands involvement in Europe’s largest outreach event.
