Our Story

The genesis of DCU Life Sciences Institute (LSI) can be traced to the very foundation of our University when one of the first programmes we offered was a pioneering degree in Biotechnology. Life Science has been a cornerstone of DCU’s research and teaching profile ever since and the University remains a leader and innovator in this field at national and European levels. DCU Life Sciences Institute brings together over 70 leading researchers and their teams across DCU’s faculties to leverage our collective expertise and  ‘Transform Challenges into Impact’.

Life Science research is the study of life itself and the need for initiatives like LSI has never been clearer. We are living in exciting but challenging times that need expertise and knowledge in these disciplines to allow us to sustain our populations across the globe.  Scientists need to work together on the major challenges that our planet faces - from optimising human health and treating disease to protecting food security and biodiversity to solving escalating contamination issues. Ultimately, this research aims to ensure that our activities are sustainable for current and future generations. 

LSI is unique in bringing all Life Science research together in a single, collaborative institute. Our expertise is drawn from Biotechnology, Chemical Sciences, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Physical Sciences, Psychology, Health and Human Performance, Mathematical Sciences, Nursing, Community Health, and Psychotherapy - providing a diversity of thinking and innovative approaches to research.  

Our focus is to ‘Transform Challenges into Impact’ by bringing a multi-disciplinary approach to solving national and global issues. LSI research is underpinned by DCU Core Technologies and school facilities including resources within the Life Science Research Facility and the Nano Research Facility, supporting a range of experimental activities including cell characterisation, mammalian cell culture, microscopy, proteomics, molecular biology, bioinformatics, microbial processing, microbiology and bioprinting.