1980
President:
Dr. Daniel O' Hare (1980-1999)
School of Biotechnology
The SoBT at 40
Leagan Gaeilge Anseo
Dublin City University (DCU*; formerly NIHE Dublin) celebrated its first 40 years of operation in November 2020. Throughout these years, the School of Biotechnology^ has been a dynamic unit within the university's science faculty. It provided NIHE's first PhD graduates in 1985 and its first BSc Biotechnology graduates in 1986. The School's innovations and successes in research and teaching have continued up to the present day.
This webpage records some key events and achievements during our first four decades.
It details the School's immense contribution to DCU's development, and to the flourishing of the life sciences and of science-based industry in Ireland.
The School's core strength has always been its people: their talent, quality and dedication continue to drive our growth and development into our fifth decade.
Many have contributed to this story, but particular mention is due to Keith Rochfort (who constructed this webpage) and to Pádraig Walsh (who recorded the School's 1980-1997 history). Key inputs from Molly Williams, Emma Finlay, Tim Downing, Emma Theron and Marie Leahy are acknowledged also.
Assoc. Prof. Ciarán Fagan
(*known as the National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) 1980-89; granted autonomous university status under the Dublin City University Act of 1989)
(^known as the School of Biological Sciences 1980-1998)
Cheiliúraigh Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath (OCBÁC*) a céad 40 blian ar an bhfód i mí Shamhna 2020. I rith na blianta seo, bhí Scoil na Biteicneolaíochta^ in haonad bríomhar i nDámh Eolaíochta na hollscoile. Sholáthraigh sí a céad céimithe PhD do NIHE i 1985 agus a céad céimithe BSc i mBiteicneolaíocht i 1986. Lean an Scoil le nuálaíocht agus rathúlacht i dtaighde agus i múinteoireacht go dtí an am faoi láthair.
Sa leathanach idirlíne seo, déantar taifead ar roinnt de na príomh-eachtraí agus gaiscí i rith ár gcéad daichead blian.
Tugtar sonraí ar ionchur ollmhór na Scoile d'fhorbairt OCBÁC, agus d'fhás maith na neolaíochtaí beatha agus do thionscal na heolaíochta in Éirinn.
Neart a foirne a bhí ina príomh-láidreacht don Scoil riamh: is iad a mbua, ardchaighdeán agus dúthracht a spreagfaidh lenár fás agus forbairt sna blianta atá romhainn.
Is iomaí duine a chuir cloch leis an gcarn seo, ach is cóir tagairt faoi leith a dhéanamh do Keith Rochfort (a thóg an leathanach idirlíne seo) agus do Phádraig Walsh (a bhailigh stair na Scoile 1980-1997). Aithnítear ionchur tábhachtach ó Molly Williams, Emma Finlay, Tim Downing, Emma Theron agus Marie Leahy freisin.
Ollamh Comhlách Ciarán Ó'Fágáin
(*darb ainm An Foras Náisiúnta um Ard-Oideachais (NIHE) BÁC 1980-89; bronnadh stádas ollscoile uathrialaitheach air faoin Acht um Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath 1989.)
(^faoin teideal Scoil na nEolaíochtaí Bitheolaíochta 1980-1998)
1980 - 1989
1980
Head of School:
Dr. Owen Ward (1980 - 1986)
1980
Event/Milestone
National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) Dublin enrolls is first students on its Glasnevin campus. Foundation of the School of Biological Sciences
1980
Key Tools and Breakthroughs
Recombinant DNA biochemistry and DNA sequencing earn Nobel recognition (Chemistry)
1982
The NIHE as viewed from Collins Avenue, with the Henry Grattan building seen in the background
1983
Biotechnology Industry in Ireland
The first recombinant biopharma plant in Ireland opens: Schering-Plough, Brinny, Inishannon, Co. Cork
1984
Event/Milestone
The first graduates from BSc Analytical Science programme graduate (a programme delivered jointly with the School of Chemical Sciences).
1984
Key Tools and Breakthroughs
The Nobel prize in Physiology and Medicine is awarded for the principle for production of monoclonal antibodies.
1985
Event/Milestone
NIHE's first two PhD graduations come from the School of Biological Sciences.
These are the first Doctoral graduates in Ireland outside the University sector.
1985
Publication Metrics
Publication of the School's first peer-reviewed research paper:
Ryan EM & Ward OP. (1985) Study of the effect of beta-1,3-glucanase from Basidiomycete QM-806 on yeast extract production. Biotech Lett 7: 409-412. DOI: 10.1007/BF01166213
1986
Event/Milestone
The first 14 graduates from BSc. in Biotechnology graduate.
The first five graduates from research MSc projects.
Chairman's Medal awarded to Siobhán Bergin.
1987
Head of School
Prof. Martin Clynes (1987-1989)
1987
Event/Milestone
The National Cell and Tissue Culture Centre established as one of three Bio Research Ireland-sponsored laboratories
1987
National Research Funds
BioResearch Ireland established to commercialise ideas and expertise of Irish colleges and research institutions.
1989
Event/Milestone
The NIHE gains autonomous university status under the Dublin City University Act (No. 15 of 1989), signed into law by Uachtarán na hÉireann on 11 June 1989.
"2.—(1) The National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin, shall by virtue of this section become and be a university and shall be known in the Irish language as Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath and in the English language as Dublin City University and shall perform the functions assigned to it by the Act of 1980 as amended by this Act."
1989
Event/Milestone
The first DCU logo is commissioned.
1990 - 1999
1990
Head of School
Prof. Richard O'Kennedy (1990 - 1999)
1991
Event/Milestone
The Albert College Extension is completed, providing additional laboratory and teaching space.
The National Cell and Tissue Culture Centre moves to purpose-built laboratories in new Hamilton research building.
1992
Publication Metrics
The number of non-self citations of School publications exceeds 1,000.
1993
Key Tools and Breakthroughs
The invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and oligonucleotide-based, site-directed mutagenesis is awarded the Nobel prize in Chemistry
1994
Milestone/Event
City Biologic, a School-based campus company established by Dr. Brid Quilty and Mr. Robert Lawson, begins operations.
Launch of taught MSc. in Biological Sciences
1994
Publication Metrics
The School's total number of published papers exceeds 100.
The number of non-self citations of School publications exceeds 2,500.
1994
National Research Funds
Masters in Biological Science (MBL) is established and chaired by Dr. Brendan O'Connor, with financial support from the HEA.
1995
Milestone/Event
The School celebrates its 50th PhD graduate.
The cumulative number of graduates from BSc in Biotechnology exceeds 300.
1996
Milestone/Event
The Orla Benson Award for Postgraduate Research is established.
1997
Publication Metrics
Publication of 'Stabilizing Protein Function' by Ciarán Ó Fágáin
1998
Event/Milestone
School of Biological Sciences changes its title to School of Biotechnology.
Chancellor's medal awarded to PhD graduate Anthony J. Killard
1998
Publication Metrics
The School's total number of published papers exceeds 200.
1999
Event/Milestone
The School completes its move to the new Lonsdale building
1999
National Research Funds
Higher Education Authority PRTLI 1: Establishment of National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR) & other DCU research centers
2000 - 2009
2001
Head of School
Prof. Richard O' Kennedy (2000 - 2001)
2000
Director General
Prof. Albert Pratt (2000-2001)
2000
Event/Milestone
The School celebrates its 100th PhD graduation from the School.
The cumulative number of graduates from BSc in Biotechnology exceeds 500.
Chancellor's Medal awarded to Edward T Mee.
2000
Publication Metrics
The number of non-self citations of School publications exceeds 10,000.
2000
National Research Funds
Foundation of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
2001
Event/Milestone
Prof Richard O’Kennedy is awarded the Royal Irish Academy Biochemistry Medal and Fellowship of the Institute of Biology of Ireland.
2001
Publication Metrics
Dr. Brid Quilty edited “Abstracts from the Eleventh Irish Environmental Researchers' Colloquium: Water and Our Environment, Dublin City University, January 2001.” Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, vol. 101B, no. 3, 2001, pp. 255–271.
2001
President
Prof. Ferdinand von Prondzynski (2001 - 2009)
Head of School
Dr. Brid Quilty (2001 - 2004)
2001
Biotechnology in Ireland
World's largest recombinant biopharma facility begins construction: Wyeth, Grange Castle, Dublin 22
2001
National Research Funds
Establishment of Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology (IRCSET)
2002
Key Tools and Breakthroughs
The development of mass and of nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometric techniques for the study of biological macromolecules is awarded the Nobel prize in Chemistry.
2002
Event/Milestone
DCU commissions a new logo to represent it
2003
Event/Milestone
The establishment of International Centre for Neurotherapeutics (ICNT) within DCU
2003
Publication Metrics
The School's total number of published papers exceeds 300.
2003
Event/Milestone
Launch of taught MSc course in Bioinformatics (with School of Computing as partner)
2003
National Research Funds
Higher Education Authority PRTLI 3: Establishment of National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology (NICB)
2005
Head of School
Prof. Ian Marison (2005 - 2010)
2005
Event/Milestone
The establishment of the Centre for BioAnalytical Science (CBAS) as part of a 13 million euro innovative partnership with IDA/Enterprise Ireland/Bristol Myers Squibb within DCU
2006
Event/Milestone
Launch of taught MSc course in Biomedical Diagnostics
2006
Publication Metrics
Article co-authored by Dr. Ciarán Ó Fágáin is featured on front cover of 'Trends in Biotechnology'
2006
Key Tools and Breakthroughs
The discovery of RNA interference and of gene silencing by double-stranded RNA earns the Nobel prize in Physiology and Medicine.
2007
Event/Milestone
Launch of PRTLI Cycle 4-funded 'Targeted Therapeutics and Theranostics' Structured PhD Programme (T3) with ICNT.
2007
Event/Milestone
Faculty Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award presented to PhD graduate Barry J Ryan.
2007
National Research Funds
Higher Education Authority PRTLI 4: Establishment of Targeted Therapeutics & Theranostics (T3) structured PhD programme with International Centre for Neurotherapeutics (ICNT)
2008
Event/Milestone
The first 20 graduates from BSc in Genetics & Cell Biology graduate.
2008
Event/Milestone
The establishment of the Irish Separation Science Cluster (ISSC) as part of a 5 million euro strategic research centre within DCU involving Dr.'s Brendan O' Connor and Michael O' Connell
2008
Key Tools and Breakthroughs
The discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) earns the Nobel Prize in Chemistry
2009
The School celebrates its 200th PhD graduation.
Inauguration of the School's Annual Research Day.
2009
Publication Metrics
The number of non-self citations of School publications exceeds 20,000.
2009
Alumni Wall Awardees
Dr. Ena Prosser
2010 - 2019
2010
Event/Milestone
Faculty Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award presented to PhD graduate Noeleen J Loughran.
Launch of MSc in Bioprocess Engineering with Trinity College Dublin as partner.
2010
Publication Metrics
The School's total number of published papers exceeds 500.
2010
President
Prof. Brian MacCraith (2010 - 2020)
2010
Head of School
Prof. Ian Marison (2010)
2010
Alumni Wall Awardees
Ger Brophy
Donal O' Shea
2010
National Research Funds
Higher Education Authority PRTLI 5: Establishment of National Bioanalytical Research Facility (NRF), and structured PhD 'BioAnalysis and Therapeutics' (BioAT) programme with NUI Maynooth and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
2011
Head of School
Dr. Michael O'Connell (2011)
2011
Event/Milestone
Launch of PRTLI Cycle 5-funded BioAnalysis and Therapeutics Structured PhD Programme (BioAT) with RCSI, NUI Maynooth (members with DCU of the 3U Partnership) and IT Tallaght to recruit 29 graduates.
2011
Event/Milestone
Chancellor’s Medal (Postgraduate) awarded to Paul Conroy.
2011
Alumni Wall Awardees
John Jordan
2011
Publication Metrics
Publication of 'Protein Chromatography', edited by Dr. Dermot Walls & Dr. Sinéad T Loughran and featuring chapters by several School staff members.
2011
Key Tools and Breakthroughs
Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded for the discovery of innate immunity and dendritic cells.
2012
Head of School
Dr. Ciarán Fagan (2012 - 2014)
2012
Publication Metrics
'MicroRNAs as Tools in Biopharmaceutical Production' book is edited by Dr. Niall Barron, and featuring chapters by School and NICB staff members
2012
Event/Milestone
Launch of 3U Partnership, a major collaboration between NUI Maynooth, Dublin City University (DCU) and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), on 26 June.
2012
Biotechnology in Ireland
Amgen expands its Dún Laoghaire facility.
2012
National Research Funds
Irish Research Council established as successor to IRCSET & IRCHSS
2012
Key Tools and Breakthroughs
Nobel prize in Chemistry awarded for the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent.
2013
Event/Milestone
Faculty Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award presented to Sean Fitzgerald
2013
Publication Metrics
Publication of 'Membrane Filtration' by Dr. Greg Foley.
2013
Publication Metrics
Paper co-authored by Dr. Bríd Quilty is featured on front cover of ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 1: (4) 393-402.
2013
Alumni Wall Awardees
Marian Corcoran
2013
Biotechnology Industry in Ireland
Alexion establishes its global supply chain and operations headquarters in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
2014
Event/Milestone
Prof Richard O’Kennedy is elected to Membership of the Royal Irish Academy
2014
Event/Milestone
Prof. Martin Clynes received a Nature Lifetime Achievement Award in Postgraduate Supervision.
2014
Event/Milestone
The Faculty Outstanding Graduate Researcher Awards presented to Valerie Fitzgerald and Sarah Gilgunn.
2015
Head of School
Dr. Sandra O'Neill
2015
Event/Milestone
First presentation of the Dr. Michael O'Connell Memorial Award to the top graduating student in the BSc Genetics & Cell Biology.
2015
Publication Metrics
Dr. Bríd Quilty co-authors two chapters in book: 'Water is Life, Progress to secure safe water provision in rural Uganda'.
2016
Event/Milestone
DCU commissions a new logo for the university
2016
Event/Milestone
The School celebrates its 300th PhD graduation from the School.
Chancellor's Medal presented to PhD graduate Sarah Gilgunn.
2016
Event/Milestone
Completion of the DCU Incorporation programme on 30 Sept: Church of Ireland College of Education, Mater Dei Institute of Education and St Patrick's College, Drumcondra fully integrated on the Drumcondra and All Hallows DCU campuses.
2016
Biotechnology in Ireland
BMS constructs biologics manufacturing plant in Cruiserath, Dublin 15. Shire announces major biotechnology investment in Dunboyne, Co. Meath.
2016
Publication Metrics
Paper co-authored by Dr. Brendan O' Connor and Dr. Dermot Walls is featured on front cover of Soft Matter, 12: (45) 9158-9169.
2017
Event/Milestone
Expansion of INTRA to 30 credits for Year 3 Biotechnology and Genetics and Cell Biology.
Introduction of choice between Biopharma and Life Science streams for Year 4 students.
Cumulative number of graduates from BSc in Biotechnology exceeds 1,000.
2017
Publication Metrics
Publication of 'Protein Chromatography' (2nd ed), edited by Dr. Dermot Walls and Dr. Sinéad T Loughran, featuring chapters by several School staff members.
2017
Alumni Wall Awardees
John McGrath
2017
Biotechnology in Ireland
Almac Group establishes its European campus in Dundalk, Co. Louth.
2017
Chief Technical Officer
Mr. Graham Dodrill (2017 - Present)
2018
Event/Milestone
The Faculty Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award is presented to Emma Harper.
2018
Event/Milestone
The School's 10th School Research Day is held.
2018
Event/Milestone
On 19 April, the Applied Bioprocessing Laboratory is presented with the '2017 DCU Invent Award for Industrial Engagement'.
2018
Event/Milestone
The President's Award for Engagement (Student Category: Special Merit) is awarded to the Biological Research Society for its outreach work on the Ballymun Aisling project.
2018
Event/Milestone
The School's MSc in Bioprocess Engineering wins best taught course award at Grad Ireland dinner on 26 November.
2018
Head of School
Prof. Anne Parle-McDermott (2018 - 2020)
2018
Alumni Wall Awardees
Sinéad McCluskey
2018
Biotechnology in Ireland
MSD Biotech to construct new plant in Swords, Co. Dublin.
WuXi Biologics announces new single-use technology facility in Dundalk, Co. Louth.
2018
Publication Metrics
The School's total number of published papers exceeds 900.
2018
Publication Metrics
Publication of 'Degradation of fat using bioaugmentation: Optimization of a bioaugmentation product' by Dr. Markella Tzirita, Dr. Seraphim Papanikolaou, and Dr. Brid Quilty.
2018
Publication Metrics
Front cover image of article by Dr. Caroline Murphy and Dr. Aoife Crawley (R O’Kennedy lab) on July issue of Diagnostics (DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics8020039).
2018
Publication Metrics
Publication of 'Immunoassays: Development, Applications & Future Trends' by Prof. Richard O'Kennedy and Dr. Caroline Murphy in May.
2018
Key Tools and Breakthroughs
Directed evolution of enzymes and phage display of peptides and antibodies recognized by Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
2018
Event/Milestone
First student intake to taught MSc in Diagnostics and Precision Medicine (in succession to MSc in Biomedical Diagnostics).
2019
Event/Milestone
The official opening of the 'Microbial Bioprocessing Facility' on 29 May
2019
Event/Milestone
Dr. Jenny Lawler wins 'Young Leader of the Year' at the at the Irish Lab Awards on 7 March.
2019
Event/Milestone
On 20 March, Invent Commercialization Awards went to Greg Foley and Brian Freeland (Innovation Partnership), and to Paul Leonard (Start-Up).
2019
Event/Milestone
The Faculty Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award is presented to Alan Costello.
2019
Event/Milestone
The cumulative number of graduates from BSc in Genetics and Cell Biology exceeds 300.
2019
Publication Metrics
A chapter by Dr. Phil Cummins and Dr. Keith Rochfort is published in Springer Protocols: Blood-Brain Barrier.
2019
Alumni Wall Awardees
Fergus Byrne
2019
Event/Milestone
Dr. Keith Rochfort is awarded the O'Donnell Medal for best presentation at the Irish Endocrine Society's 43rd Annual Meeting
2019
National Research Funds
An award of €424,000 was made to Assistant Professor Konstantinos Gkrintzalis for his ground-breaking research project utilizing the fact-finding capabilities of the little known water flea to gather information on the levels of pollutants in freshwater areas is the largest Award made under SFI “Starting Investigator Research Grant” (SIRG).
The aim is to develop an advanced detection system to indicate the presence of toxins in the water before they reach irreversible levels.
This pioneering research was featured on RTE Six-One News on 6th April 2019.
2019
Event/Milestone
Prof. Christine Loscher wins the Faculty of Science and Health 'Richard O'Kennedy Award'
Mr. David Cunningham wins the Faculty of Science and Health 'Best Person in a Supporting Role'
Dr. Keith Rochfort wins the Faculty of Science and Health 'Emerging Investigator Award'
2020 - Present
2020
President
Prof. Daire Keogh (2020 - Present)
2020
Event/Milestone
DCU celebrates its 40th birthday.
2020
Event/Milestone
DCU closes on 12 March as part of public health measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
Classes continue remotely.
2020
Event/Milestone
School postgraduate volunteers work in the COVID-19 PCR testing at Enfer labs in Naas, Co. Kildare.
2020
Event/Milestone
President's Innovation Award, Academic and Research Category: Dr. Caroline Murphy and Prof. Richard O’Kennedy ‘Biosafety for Environmental contaminants using Novel Sensors’ which aims to develop on-site, portable antibody-based sensors for the detection of harmful algal toxins in drinking water.
2020
Event/Milestone
President's Impact Award: Prof. John Crown, Thomas Baldwin Chair for Translation Medicine, National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology and the School of Biotechnology.
2020
Publication Metrics
Wiley Publishing recognizes the paper “The application of CRISPR‐Cas for single species identification from environmental DNA” by M WIlliams et al. (A Parle-McDermott lab) as a Top Downloaded Paper in 2018-2019 and one of the most-read articles in the Molecular Ecology Resources journal (vol 19: pp. 1106-1114. DOI 10.1111/1755-0998.13045). The paper had been featured on the journal cover when published in Sept 2019.
2020
Publication Metrics
The number of non-self citations of School publications exceeds 29,000.
2020
Publication Metrics
Dr. Bríd Quilty is co-author of two chapters in Nutraceutical Fatty Acids from Oleaginous Microalgae: A Human Health Perspective.
2020
Publication Metrics
Dr. Keith Rochfort's collaborative study on concussion in the Ladies Gaelic Football Association is featured in the Spring 2020 issue of Peil Magazine in a piece entitled: 'Concussion in LGFA - We Need Info'.
2020
Event/Milestone
The Faculty Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award is presented to Molly Ann Williams and Berta Capella Roca
2020
National Research Funds
School researchers are awarded national funding towards research into COVID-19
Prof. Paul Cahill, Prof. Christine Loscher, and Dr. Dermot Walls receive SFI Rapid Response Funding to investigate the use of tailored extracellular vesicles as therapeutic strategy against COVID-19 infection.
Dr. Paul Leonard receives funding to validate and test the diagnostic assays used to detect viral infection in the populations.
Dr. Keith Rochfort receives SFI Rapid Response Funding to work with UCD on profiling the influence of COVID-19 infection on the central nervous system.
2020
Event/Milestone
Dr. Brian Freeland wins the Faculty of Science and Health 'Emerging Investigator Award'
We recently had our archive adapted for display within the Lonsdale such that our students, staff, and visitors to the School can take in the history of our School, and learn about what we've achieved in our time. This display is also available to you in the gallery below. Use the 'expand' button in the gallery controls below to read the different displays we had commissioned.
