News & Events

New research into the arrangement of sugar chains or ‘glycans’ in the cells of the spine has shed light for the first time on the critical role it plays in the complex process of disc degeneration.   Researchers at CÚRAM - Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices at University of Galway, together with a team of international colleagues, carried out a comprehensive investigation into the different characteristics of glycans in healthy and degenerated intervertebral discs.   It is the first time that the whole human disc glycome in the spine - the entire set of sugar chains that modify human proteins and lipids - have been analysed in this way.    Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a major cause of low back pain, a significant global health issue. While glycosylation is critical for cellular signalling and inflammation, its malfunction can lead to diseases and its role in IVD degeneration has remained poorly understood until the research was conducted.   Dr Kieran Joyce, first author of the paper, said: “From this research, we now know which sugars are expressed in the degenerated or diseased disc states, so we can design therapies to target this.   “We observed distinct alterations in glycan expression, notably an overabundance of sialic acid on the surface of the cells in degenerated discs and decreased branching, which are associated with IVD degeneration. These observed differences have implications for regulating inflammatory responses and other cellular activities.”   Professor Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director of CÚRAM and senior author of the research paper, said: “Our findings suggest that there is therapeutic potential in using biomaterial systems to intervene and alter the way proteins and glycans attach to each other to reduce inflammation associated with IVD degeneration. This research significantly advances our knowledge of the glycomic mechanisms underlying IVD degeneration and opens new avenues for developing therapies to restore disc physiology.”   The finding of the research have been published in Advanced Science and can be accessed at https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202506669?af=R.   The project was carried out by CÚRAM researchers at University of Galway in collaboration with colleagues at Maynooth University, University College Dublin, the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), the Medical University of South Carolina and the Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics in Austria.   Ends

University of Galway’s Institute for Clinical Trials has been awarded the 2025 Collaboration in Medtech Award at the Irish Medtech Awards.  The accolade recognises the Institute’s outstanding leadership in advancing early-stage medtech innovation through high-impact clinical partnerships, including the establishment of the Hypercare initiative to supports partners in the clinical trials approval process.   It is the second year in a row in which University of Galway has won the Collaboration in Medtech Award.   Established in 2023, the Institute for Clinical Trials is focused on transformation of the clinical research landscape in Ireland by creating an environment where scientific advances are translated into improved care for patients.  The 2025 Collaboration in Medtech Award was secured for the Institute’s Hypercare initiative, which has been developed to transform how early-stage medtech trials are delivered in Ireland. The initiative is a national pilot, designed to support  industry collaborators in navigating complex approval processes for a clinical trial, from ethics and regulatory submission to system requirements of the Health Service Executive, through to initial patient enrolment.   Aligned with the mission of the Institute for Clinical Trials, this project drives excellence, inclusivity, and need-driven research to improve global health outcomes. Clinical trials increase the opportunities of patients to have early access to innovative treatments that could improve, extend or even save their lives.  Encouraging more research must be a priority for those bodies charged with improving the nation’s health and the Hypercare initiative seeks to support this by ensuring Ireland is a location of choice for early feasibility/phase MedTech trial conduct and delivery. The Hypercare project aims to highlight positive changes in the delivery of clinical research in Ireland, attracting further interest and investment from MedTech stakeholders nationally and internationally.             Professor Fidelma Dunne, Director of the Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway, said: "It is a real honour for the Institute to win the 2025 Collaboration in Medtech Award. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do at the Institute for Clinical Trials, and this recognition reflects the commitment of our team and our partners.   “The Hypercare initiative stands out as the model for academic–industry collaboration, advancing innovation while upholding the highest clinical and regulatory standards. By working closely with innovators, from early-stage start-ups to global leaders, we are making great strides in demonstrating where Ireland can lead in the world of clinical trials as well as accelerating the delivery of new technologies that can truly improve patient outcomes at home and across the globe."            Hypercare has successfully supported four companies to date through the pilot, two of which have launched a first-in-human use of their device in Ireland – Medtronic and Intervene.   By bringing together clinical expertise, regulatory guidance, and real-world testing, the Institute helps partners move through approvals in a more structured and predictable process and therefore more quickly through early clinical validation with the hope of bringing new helathcare solutions to patients in Ireland and beyond.  The Collaboration in Medtech Award celebrates the Institute’s success in forging partnerships that strengthen Ireland’s position in medtech and support a more collaborative, efficient, and innovative approach to clinical research.  Irish Medtech, the Ibec group that represents the medtech sector, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland held the awards as part of Medtech Rising, an annual conference for the sector held this year at The Galmont Hotel in Galway.  Ends 

University of Galway has announced the recipients of its Writer in Residence and Digital Artist in Residence awards for 2026. Creative Writer in Residence, Nicole Flattery and Digital Artist in Residence, Jane Cassidy will take up their positions at University of Galway in early 2026. Westmeath author and short story writer, Nicole Flattery is best known for her award-winning short story collection, Show Them A Good Time and her debut novel Nothing Special, as well as being a literary critic and podcaster. Jane Cassidy is a multidisciplinary artist and educator from Galway. Trained in music and digital media, Jane's main interests lie in audio-visual immersive environments, visual music and synaesthesia. Both artists’ work reflects the diversity and richness of Ireland’s creative landscape through literature and digital arts.   The awards, which are jointly funded by the Arts Council and the University, provide artists with dedicated workspaces and vital finances to develop their work, acquire resources and further Ireland’s vibrant creative scene. Dr John Kenny, Director of the BA in English and Creative Writing, School of English, Media and Creative Arts, University of Galway, said: “Our ongoing partnership with the Arts Council for this Residency has been of tremendous benefit to our Creative Writing programmes in the School. It brings additional cutting-edge literary talent into our classrooms, and it inspires our students and wider learning communities on campus and in the Galway region, by highlighting the new presence of a writer who will be engaging in their own artistic practice while spending the year developing creative ideas and conversations with us. “Nicole Flattery has featured previously as a practitioner-teacher in the Department of English, and we are thrilled to be welcoming her back for the coming year. Nicole is one of the major internationally recognised artists of literary prose among the younger generations of Irish writers, and she is also a highly esteemed literary critic and podcaster. We look forward to working with her as she finishes her next book and fosters her own inventive approach to this Residency.” This year marks a particularly exciting opportunity for Digital Artists, who have, for the first time, been included in the programme through pilot residencies. Dr Conn Holohan, Director of the Centre for Creative Technologies, University of Galway, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jane Cassidy to the Centre for Creative Technologies as the University of Galway Digital Artist in Residence. Jane’s commitment to co-creation and inclusive digital arts practice resonates strongly with the ethos and activities of the Centre. We are particularly excited about the opportunities this residency creates for students, academic researchers, and the wider creative community to engage directly with Jane’s work through workshops, co-creative projects, and public events, expanding access to the digital arts across the campus and beyond.” The Artists in Residencies programme is a cornerstone of the Arts Council’s commitment to fostering artistic excellence and enriching educational environments. Maura McGrath, Chair of the Arts Council, said: “As Chair of the Arts Council, I am delighted to congratulate the new Artists in Residence across our universities. These programmes support artists to deepen their practice while bringing fresh creative energy into teaching, research and campus life. By connecting students and staff with professional artists, they spark new ideas and show how creativity can enrich every discipline. We are very grateful to our university partners for their ongoing commitment to these residencies.” Ends