A World Leading SFI Research Centre - Science Foundation Ireland - For What's Next

Listen to your Microbes



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Research


Our research aligns closely with the United Nation SDGs and is targeted at harnessing the potential of microbiome science to help address some of the key global challenges we face today.


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People


Our dedicated team of over 300 researchers and world-leading scientists – from microbiologists and immunologists to food-scientists and medical consultants.


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Impact


Over the past 20 years APC has been making genuine social, economic and scientific impact through collaboration, industry engagement, scientific talent, and smart microbiome-based solutions.


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Harnessing the power of the microbiome for people and planet

APC Microbiome Ireland (APC) is a world-leading Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) research centre focused on understanding the gastrointestinal bacterial community and harnessing the power of the microbiome – (or microbiota) – for the health and wellbeing of people and planet. This is one of the fastest moving and exciting areas of biology of relevance to human health, medicine, food ingredients, agriculture, and veterinary science and is of growing importance to the economic welfare of society.

Addressing the big global challenges

Our research is structured in ‘spokes’ or themes that align closely with the United Nation SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). Our specific goals and mission are targeted at realising the potential of microbiome science to help address some of the key global challenges we face today – such as reducing the societal burden of chronic disease and incidence of infectious disease; combatting the rise in antimicrobial (or antibiotic) resistance (AMR); and developing new and novel ways for microbiome-based science to contribute to more sustainable food production and agri-industry practices that are better for our environment.

Sustained impact: 2019-2023 highlights

Since its inception in 2003, APC’s research has continued to make genuine social, economic and scientific impact. In food and medicine benefitting our health and wellbeing; developing a truly world-class science-based talent pool that feeds industry and academia; advancing the field of microbiome science at home and abroad and bringing significant economic gain to the Irish economy. APC’s unique people-first, research-led environment has led to world-first scientific breakthroughs and novel innovations that positively impact our planet and people, through collaboration, industry engagement, scientific talent, and smart microbiome-based solutions.

5 ERC awards

5 ERC awards

€40m leveraged funding

€40m leveraged funding

4 Portfolio spin-out companies

4 Portfolio spin-out companies

14 Principal Investigators in top 1% highly cited

14 Principal Investigators in top 1% highly cited

1068 Research papers published

1068 Research papers published

22 New patent applications

22 New patent applications

2.9 Field-weighted citation index

2.9 Field-weighted citation index

34 Industry partners

34 Industry partners

Featured News

13 Sep 2023

INSPIRE - Call 2 for postdoctoral fellowships now open

Further 10 prestigious research fellowships at APC Microbiome Ireland on offer
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Dr Brendan Curran (General Manager. APC), Prof John Morrissey (School of Microbiology), Dr Hilary Browne, Prof Sarah Culloty (Head of SEFS College)
05 Sep 2023

APC secures in-coming prestigious ERC Starting Grant

APC Microbiome Ireland (APC), a world-leading SFI research centre, has secured its 5th prestigious ERC Award in 5 years. Dr Hilary Browne has been awarded  €1.5m under the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant programme to lead a major study at the APC on spore forming gut bacteria as a tool to target harmful pathogens.
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Caoimhe Lynch and Caitlin Cowan of APC
18 Aug 2023

Critical Windows of Microbial Influence on Brain Development?

New research from APC Microbiome Ireland at University College Cork (UCC) highlights the importance of the gut microbiota in shaping brain development. Published in Brain, Behavior and Immunity, a leading international scientific journal, the study shows that disturbing gut microbes early in life has long-lasting impacts on the immune system and the brain.
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Prof. Liam O' Mahony of APC
03 Aug 2023

Rural environment supports children’s immune systems

Study shows that children who are active outdoors in rural areas with frequent exposure to animals have better regulated immune systems. Exposure to different environmental factors during early life is believed to play a crucial role in training the immune system. A better understanding of the early life immune system may progress the development of interventions to modulate the immune response to support lifelong health.
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Host Institution

Host Logos - UCC and Teagasc

Partner Institutions

APC Microbiome Ireland

Biosciences Building, University College Cork, Ireland,

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