Paula Burke working on food microbiology research at the College of Science,University of Limerick.

The Bioscience and Technology grouping at the University of Limerick has core competencies within four key emerging research areas:

• Food Sciences
• Molecular Biochemistry
• Biomedical Sciences
• Environmental Quality.

Each of the areas has specialist "niche" interests which are quite unique in the Irish context. Furthermore, the departmental and collegiate structures at UL promote interdisciplinary research, since they bring together researchers from different fields.

Food Sciences

The research in Food Sciences is focussed on two areas where the group holds competitive positions internationally – Minimally Processed Fresh Foods and Food Ingredients. While most of the work involves fundamental science, it generally addresses practical industrial opportunities/problems in areas such as innovation, food safety and product quality. In the case of minimally processed foods, current work relates to the safety and quality of cut ready-to-use fresh produce packaged within preserving gas atmospheres.

Sub-areas include the following:

• modelling gas equilibria within packages

• gas-enzyme interactions

• technology-pathogen effects, including microbial stress reactions

• competition between pathogens and spoilage organisms

• chemical and organo-leptic (sensory) effects

Work on food ingredients includes:

• protein functionality in foods (e.g. whipping/foaming properties)

• enzymatic modification of functional properties

• proteins from novel plant sources

• production and characterisation of nutraceuticals, e.g. blood pressure reducing peptides, peptides for enhanced mineral bioavailability and peptides which stimulate the immune system.

Molecular Biochemistry Group

The unifying theme within this group is the study, from a basic and applied perspective, of a number of niche classes of proteins, including antibodies, thermostable proteins and enzymes. Common goals link the research projects, including protein folding, protein stabilisation, protein interaction and the application of these topics, for example, in preventing the aggregation of biopharmaceuticals and the production of stable biosensor devices. Projects include the development of environmental and food biosensors, antibody engineering, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) probe development for food pathogens, and enzyme additives for animal feeds.

Some of this work in this group has immediate potential for application. One of the chief characteristics of enzymes is their requirement for an aqueous environment. Many applications such as bio-sensors or organic synthesis require a non-aqueous environment. Research at UL is focussed on important classes of enzymes in non-aqueous environments.

Rapid identification techniques for food pathogens are of increasing importance in ensuring food safety. One research group is developing DNA probe technology for the rapid identification of potential pathogens. When implanted materials or novel biomaterials are studied using animal cell culture techniques, little work has been done in biomedical research at the molecular level. This group is investigating the use of specific protein and mRNA induction as a means of diagnosing biocompatibility.

Biomedical Sciences Group

The Biomedical Sciences Group is an inter-collegiate alliance of researchers in the human sciences, biomedicine and bio-medical engineering. There is important collaboration with the Vascular Surgery Group and Clinical Age Assessment Unit at the Regional Hospital, Limerick.

Research themes of the group focus on a multi-disciplinary approach to the problems of ageing, age-related disease and dysfunction. The group believes that the study and resolution of the problems of ageing requires such a multi-disciplinary approach: a synergy of experienced and innovative scientists, engineers and clinicians. Current research concentrates in three areas:

• Vascular function in ageing

• Musculoskeletal function in ageing

• Age-related metabolic disorders.

The Biomedical Sciences Group has developed an interdisciplinary research group with expertise in vascular medicine, blood flow biomechanics, cardiac physiology, muscle function, endothelial cell behaviour, and blood pharmacology and ageing. Another group is researching age-related metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance.

Environmental Quality Group

This group involves interdisciplinary study of the environment and environmental management. The main areas of research are: sustainable management of a high quality environment, and fundamental research on various aspects of biodiversity.

The work of the group encompasses topics in applied ecology, soil science and environmental management. Current projects include:

• biodiversity in relation to management

• heavy metal concentrations in soil water and bioindicator invertebrates in contaminated sites

• chemical and physical properties of organic wastes in relation to land disposal

• policy issues in relation to sustainability.

Impact on teaching

Teaching and research at the University of Limerick are closely interlinked. Undergraduate courses in the area of Bioscience and Technology include

BSc in Environmental Science

BSc in Industrial Biochemistry

BSc/Dip in Equine Science

BSc in Food Technology

BSc in Sports and Exercise Science

BSc (Ed.) in Science Teaching

BSc in Physical Education

BSc in Nursing.

Research carried out by the associated faculty falls into the groupings in which a common theme is the molecular nature of biological and biomedical processes.

Contact: Dr John Breen,
Assistant Dean for Research, College of Science,
University of Limerick;
E-mail: john.breen@ul.ie