Congratulations to Dr. Yvonne Nolan who was awarded >€600K to lead a European consortium project on Alzheimer's disease, Neuroinflammation and Gut Microbes under the Centres of Excellence in Neurodegeneration (CoEN) programme.

Congratulations to Ms Sofia Cussotto, finalist in 'Research Fest 2018', the annual PhD researcher pitch competition which is part of 'Inspirefest', Silicon Republic’s two day international festival of technology, science, design and the arts, which was held this year in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin on the 21st and 22nd June 2018. Sofia’s pitch looked at how psychotropic medication is used to manage mental disorders.

Dr. Yvonne Nolan, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, and Dr. Eithne Hunt, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, have developed and recently presented 'Older and Wiser' a programme of Science based information and strategies to help our children develop healthy brains and daily habbits as they grow.

Dementia and Neurodegenetation Network Ireland DNNI in association with Cork NeuroScience Centre hosted a very successful public outreach event in UCC on Saturday 10th March 2018. Experts from the Cork Neuroscience Centre gathered to raise awareness of causes and symptoms of Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease, and to explain the latest research into how these conditions can be understood, treated and managed.

'Stressed' a RTE production aired on RTE1 over two concectuive nights explored the science of stress.

Congratulations to Dr Caitlin Cowan et al. whose recent paper has been featured on the cover of BioEssays. 

Dr André Toulouse, Director of the Biosciences Imaging Centre and Lecturer in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience has received major funding from Science Foundation Ireland Infrastructure programme.

A new book, ‘The Psychobiotic Revolution’, by Scott C. Anderson,‎ John F. Cryan,‎ and Ted Dinan, was launched on Tuesday evening in the Staff Common room by UCC President, Professor Patrick O'Shea.

In recognition of the Irish contribution to the field of Neuroscience, the Ambassador of Ireland Daniel Mulhall hosted Irish delegates of the Society for Neuroscience conference in Washington DC to an Irish Neuroscience Social at the Embassy of Ireland in Washington DC. Many US-based colleagues  also attended a highly enjoyable evening as well

Sarah O’Donovan, a PhD student at the APC Microbiome Institute and the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, had a busy week presenting a poster at back to back conferences from August 24^th – 29^th 2017. Sarah's multi-disciplinary project enabled her to present a poster entitled ‘Investigation of the brain ↔ gut axis in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease: alterations in enteric nervous system pathology and the gut microbiome’, at both the NeuroGastro conference, held at University College Cork, and the Neuroscience Ireland conference, held in National University of Ireland, Galway.

Rachel Furlong a PhD student in the School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology and department of Anatomy & Neuroscience under the supervision of Dr. Cora O’Neill and Prof Aideen Sullivan, was selected to present at a Data Blitz oral presentation at the Neuroscience Ireland Conference in NUI Galway on the 28th of August 2017.

Congratulations to Ms. Sarah O’Donovan who was awarded a Biochemical Society travel grant, to attend the 13^th International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, held in Vienna, Austria on the 29^th April  – 2^nd May.

Under the guidance of Professor Cryan, and Neuroscience co-ordinators Dr Yvonne Nolan (fourth year co-ordinator), and Dr Siobhain O'Mahony (third year co-ordinator), a large group of Neuroscience students from the department of Anatomy and Neuroscience visited the Glucksman Gallery this week, to to explore 'Gut Instinct: Art, Food and Feeling Exhibition' currently showing. 

Ms. Rachel Furlong won first prize for her poster presentation "PINK1 activation of PI3-Kinase/Akt – understanding mechanisms which lead to Parkinson’s disease” at the New Horizon’s Research Conference held in University College Cork on the 8th of December 2016. Rachel currently a PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Cora O’Neill and Prof Aideen Sullivan, has just completed her first year in the School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology and department of Anatomy & Neuroscience.

The word ‘Struggle’ was explored at the dlr Mill Theatre, Dundrum Dublin on the 8th of December 2016.  Among the invited speakers was Dr. Shane Hegarty, lecturer and researcher in the Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience.

Minister for Training and Skills John Halligan visited Prof Cryan's lab on February 17^th as part of a visit to Science Foundation Ireland Research Centres based in University College Cork.

Congratulations to Professor Aideen Sullivan who has been appointed Editor in Chief of the recently launched journal 'Neuronal Signaling'. Developed by the Biochemical Society and published by Portland press, Neuronal Signaling publishes high-quality molecular and cellular neuroscience research.

Prof. John F. Cryan (Dept. Anatomy & Neuroscience and APC Microbiome Institute) has been  invited to participate as Guest Speaker at the VI Futures Congress on behalf of Her Excellency the President Michelle Bachelet, the Government of the Republic of Chile, the Chilean Congress and the Chilean Academy of Sciences.

The New Horizons Research Conference, on 8^th December 2016, provided the perfect platform for Sarah O’Donovan, to present her novel work on the brain-gut axis in models of Parkinson’s disease. Sarah is a post-graduate student at the APC Microbiome Institute and School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, under the supervision of a multi-disciplinary APC team, led by Dr Cora O’Neill.

Sarah O’Donovan, a post-graduate student at the APC Microbiome Institute and the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, was selected for an oral presentation at the Biochemical society conference on inflammatory disease – clinical mechanisms and perspectives, held in Maynooth University on the 3^rd – 4^th November 2016. Sarah is funded by an APC innovation platform award, supervised by a multi-disciplinary APC team led by Dr Cora O’Neill.

Having already dedicated the month of November to taking part in 'Movember' a moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men's health, senior medical demonstrators Dr Johnny O'Mahony and Dr Muhammad Asim Javaid joined by Dr Gilliard Lach post doctoral researcer, demonstrated their organisational and baking skills by hosting a 'Bake Sale' in aid of the Irish Cancer Society and Mental Health Charities in the Western Gateway building on Friday 25th November.

Cork neuroScientists Investigators Caitríona Long-Smith, Shane Hegarty, Shauna Wallace-Fitzsimons and Marc O’Sullivan, with the help of 5th Class from Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Buachaillí, donned their CSI badges and began to look for clues... does a healthy life style protect the brain? Are we allowed to eat the jelly brain? What will happen when Shane drops the egg?

Congratulations to Dr. Cara Hueston, a post-doctoral researcher working with Dr. Yvonne Nolan and Prof. John Cryan in the Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, who has recently been awarded a prestigious Trainee Professional Development Award by the Society for Neuroscience.

GUT INSTINCT Art, Food and Feeling opened to a large audience at the Glucksman Gallery last night. Curated by Chris Clarke, John Cryan and Fiona Kearney the exhibtion was opened by Cónal Creedon writer in residence UCC following a panel discussion with the curators and participating artists.

Dr Gerard McGlacken, lecturer in Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Dr Harriët Schellekens lecturer in Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience have generated media interest following the publication of a recent research article in the journal 'Scientific Reports'.

The Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience welcomed European Commissioner Carlos Moedas to the FLAME laboratory on Friday 4th November, where staff and students showcased department research and teaching activities.

Congratulations to Dr Gerard O'Keeffe who has just received a Career Development Award from Science Foundation Ireland as part of a €22 Million Government Investment in next generation research talent.  This career development award is one of 20 such research projects across Ireland to be supported through this new Government research funding announced by  Minister of State for Training, Skills and Innovation, John Halligan TD this week.

Congratulations to Dr Yvonne Nolan who has been awarded the UCC Research Supervisor of the Year Award 2016. Yvonne was awarded this honour by Professor Anita Maguire Vice President for Research & Innovation, and the award was presented to Yvonne by President Michael Murphy at the UCC Staff Award Ceremony in the Aula Maxima on Thursday evening 6^th October.

Professor Cryan delivered a Plenary Lecture at the International Association of Study of Pain (IASP) World Congress on Pain. His talk "The Gut Microbiota: A Key Regulator of Visceral Pain”  was given in the 5000 seater Yokohama National Convention Hall.

Congratulations to Dr. Shane Hegarty, Lecturer and Researcher in the Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, who was recently awarded the 'Neuroscience Ireland Early Career Investigator Award' Medal,  and as winner was also invited to present his research at the Neuroscience Ireland Young Neuroscientist Symposium 2016 in Trinity College Dublin.

The Department welcomes Erasmus programme anatomy prosector interns Bérénice Hohl and Alina Schneider, both graduates from the University of Bochum, Germany.

The Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience was very well representation at the 29^th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) meeting 'for the science and treatment of disorders of the brain' in Vienna, Austria, from the 17^th to 29^th September.

Congratulations to Ms. Shauna Wallace Fitzsimons who won second prize for her poster presentation "Novel Investigations of Central Oxytocin Receptor Signalling and Crosstalk in the Microbiota-Brain-Gut Axis” at the Young Neuroscientists Symposium held  in Trinity College Dublin on the 1st of September 2016.

A busy day for Neuroscience researchers in the Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience who organised, presented and received awards at Neuroscience Ireland's 'Young Neuroscientists Symposium 2016' held in Trinity College Dublin on September 1st.

Program development coordinator in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience Joy Balta was recently invited to discuss his research findings and current publication with the American Association of Anatomists communications manager Elizabeth Austin.

Dr Shane Hegarty talks about his research at UCC, which aims to develop new therapies for Parkinson’s disease, and the advice he would give to students considering a career in science. 

The symposium, organised by Dr Harriët Schellekens, lecturer Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, took place in Seattle on Wednesday 27th July under the auspices of The 12th International Society for Serotonin Research Meeting “Serotonin in Seattle” which ran from the 24^th to 27^th July 2016 at the Edgewater Hotel, Seattle, USA.

Congratulations to Dr. Shane Hegarty, Dr. Gerard O’Keeffe and Professor Aideen Sullivan, whose BRAINTALK project has been selected as a 'fascinating project' by the The Irish Research Council and features in their Annual Report 2015 just published. Link to section of IRC Annual Report

Congratulations to Dr Anand Gururajan who was recently awarded the prestigious Rafaelsen Young Investigators Travel Award at the 2016 International College of Neuropsychopharmacology (CINP) World Congress in Seoul, Korea.

Department of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioral Science

Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation

University College Cork 

in conjunction with the APC Microbiome Institute and with kind sponsorship from the Health Research Board

Invite you to attend

'Healthy Aging - Focus on Caregiver Stress' Meeting to be held in G06 Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, Thursday June 23^rd 2.00 – 6.00 PM, All Welcome

An interdisciplinary workshop on “Palliative Care in Neurodegeneration with a focus on Dementia: Addressing complex questions through interdisciplinary research and reflection” will take place in the Kingsley hotel in Cork on Friday, 27^th May. 

Dr. Suzanne Timmons, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine launched 'Guidelines on the assessment and management of the palliative care needs of Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonian syndromes',  in University College Cork’s College of Medicine and Health, on 26th April 2016, coinciding with World Parkinson' Awareness month.

Congratulations to Dr Roman Stilling a post-doctoral researcher with Professor John Cryan and Professor Ted Dinan in the Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience and the APC Microbiome Institute, whose research work features in an award winning article by FOCUS editor Simone Einzmann.

“Tús Maith Leath na hOibre” During Brain Awareness Week, March 14-20, 2016 a group of UCC neuroscientists engaged children from five local primary schools Glounthaune, Greenmount, Glasheen Girls, Glasheen Boys and St Finbarres in fun activities to promote the importance of brain health during childhood.

The Guardian. The Irish Times, and RTE News, today published articles on how Professor John Cryan and his research teams in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience and APC Microbiome Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science have discovered a previously unknown connection between the mix of microbes in our gut and how our nerves work.

Organised by Dr Barry Boland, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics UCC and part of International Brain Awareness Week you are invited to attend this free public meeting, to learn more about the impact of brain health in our daily lives.

On what must have been the wettest night of this year team 'All about the Brain' relayed through the night to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society.

Congratulations to Dr Shane Hegarty who was awarded the 'Royal Irish Academy Charlemont Grant 2016', at a the Royal Irish Academy Charlemont Grant Awards Ceremony 2016 on Monday 15th February 2016. 

The Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience is hosting its third Thanksgiving Service in memory of the people who have donated their bodies for medical research.

Dr Anand Gururajan, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, was recently awarded the prestigious 2016 Marie Sklowdoska-Curie Individual Fellowship. 

Prof. John F. Cryan and Prof.Caitriona O'Driscoll two researchers in University College Cork with very different backgrounds & expertise came together to combine their research efforts to develop therapies for or the neurodegenerative condition Huntington’s Disease (HD).

At Health Matters Day in UCC, Dr Caitríona Long-Smith began her search for healthy volunteers, to take part in a study which investigates the role of magnesium in counteracting the negative effects of aging and stress on memory.

Congratulations to Dr Shane Hegarty, who successfully completed the Dublin City Marathon in aid of Move4Parkinson’s and to date has raised in excess of €2000.

Dr Siobhán Fox was invited to present and discuss her research in Denver Colorado at the “Palliative Care in Parkinson’s Disease Conference”, which was hosted by the Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine. The conference took place from 3^rd-4^th October 2015.

Science and music merged in front of a full Aula Maxima on Friday 18th September as some of the world's most celebrated musicians and composers came face-to-face with the finest minds in neuroscience and physiology at ‘Playing Your Heart Out’ as part of the Sounds from a Safe Harbour festival. 

A €4.8 million 4-year project led by Prof. John Cryan and Prof Ted Dinan (Psychiatry) and in which Dr. Harriet Schellekens is also playing a key role, has recently been announced with 4D pharma plc, a UK-based pharmaceutical company focusing on the development of live biotherapeutics,  for Autism Spectrum Disorder and associated CNS Disorders ('ASD'). 

On Tuesday, 28^th July, 22 People with Parkinson’s and some of their family members participated in an “Exploring Parkinson’s with Art” workshop in the Glucksman gallery.

Congratulations to Dr. Olivia O’Leary who was honoured with the 2015 Outstanding Junior Faculty Award from the International and Neural Genetics Society (IBANGS). 

On Thursday 14th May, the BSc Neuroscience fourth year class held a Tea Party in Western Gateway Building to raise funds for The Alzheimer's Society of Ireland. They chose this worthwhile charity for their fundraising efforts, to mark their farewell to the Department and to UCC .

Dr. Siobhain O’ Mahony gave a high level training session on “The Microbiota and Neurodevelopmental time windows” at the Inserm workshop “Intestinal microbiota: from bench to bedside” which took place in Bordeaux from the 13^th to 15^th April.

Professor John F Cryan will speak at WIRED Health 2015 on today Friday 24th April as part of the Decoding the Brain session. WIRED 2015 will bring together the innovators, inventors and entrepreneurs defining the future with powerful ideas

Dr Cora O’Neill gave a talk entitled “Insulin and IGF-1 signalling system defects in Alzheimer’s disease: learning from this system in diabetes and cancer” at the recent Gordon Research Conference on IGF-1 and insulin system in Physiology and Disease held earlier this month in Ventura, California.

In association with Brain Awareness Week (16 – 22 March 2015), Dr. Aideen Sullivan, Dr. Yvonne Nolan, Dr. Cara Hueston and Dr. Caitriona Long-Smith visited local primary schools to engage children in fun lessons and activities in order to learn about the brain.

A UCC submission led by Dr Cora O’Neill, Director of the Cork NeuroScience Centre, has led to the Cork NeuroScience Centre being designated as a “Centre of Excellence in Neurodegeneration” (CoEN) after a national and international review process.

On February 27th-28th a team of UCC Neuroscientists, led by Dr Aideen Sullivan, took to the track on the Mardyke Arena for 24 hours, in the annual Relay for Life.

Cork is a long way from the island city of Florianopolis in Brazil, but it has been an incredibly fruitful journey so far for three Brazilian neuroscience PhD students at UCC. 

Under Science Foundation Ireland’s new initiative to promote female researchers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Dr. Caitríona Long-Smith has recently received an Advance Award. 

Congratulations to Professor John F. Cryan who was honoured as APC scientist of the year

Ed Yong award-winning science writer visited the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience on his trip to UCC

An educational and fun day took place in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience’s FLAME lab on Sunday 9^th of November, as part of Science week Family Open Day, which was held in the Western Gateway building.

The Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience Hippocampus in Health and Disease Symposium, hosts nobel Laureate John O'Keefe as guest speaker.

Dr Harriet Schellekens interviewed at ECNP congress Berlin.

Dr. Eric Downer, Dept. Anatomy and Neuroscience, has published a new article with colleagues in Cork University Dental School and Hospital in the International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology.

There is a whole load of fun, and lots of interesting things happening in Cork to Celebrate Science week.

Last week  UCC scientists published their finding about why some people suffer from stress more than others in  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. Here's how the media reacted on Storify

Dr Olivia O'Leary in the News

Dr Eric Downer Lecturer and Principal Investigator Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience has been invited to speak at UCC Biochemistry Seminar Series

TRAP-ing cellular changes in Multiple Sclerosis

UCC’s Dr Eric Downer (Dept. Anatomy and Neuroscience) and Neurologist Dr. Orna O’Toole (Mercy University Hospital) have successfully been awarded funding under UCC’s School of Medicine Translational Research Access Programme (TRAP). The study entitled “Interferon-β signalling as a Cannabinoid target in Multiple Sclerosis” was one of seven projects awarded funding under the 2013 call.