All-Ireland Chromatin Consortium forges scientific relationships across research institutes and borders

Posted on: 02 June 2023

The AICC has grown into a network of several hundred scientists with a common focus of investigating epigenetics and chromatin regulation in development and disease.

Researchers from institutes across Ireland presented their work on topics ranging from stem cell development to neurodevelopmental disorders, and cancer biology. Darragh Nimmo, a PhD candidate from Trinity, was awarded best research poster for work investigating noncoding driver mutations in breast cancer. 

Winners of the AICC best research talk and posters awards: (left to right) Dr Michael Rainey (University of Galway), Darragh Nimmo (Trinity College Dublin), Ellen Finnegan (RCSI).

Professor Haruhiko Koseki, from Japan’s renowned RIKEN research institute, delivered a keynote lecture on the latest developmental genetics research from his lab. Professor Koseki was introduced by Trinity’s Professor Adrian Bracken as “an incredibly collaborative scientist who has contributed to the most important progress in chromatin biology in recent decades.”

Special guests and AICC committee members: (left to right) Professor Haruhiko Koseki (RIKEN, Japan), Professor Adrian Bracken (Trinity College Dublin), Dr Sara Miller (Molecular Cell) and Dr Eric Conway (UCD).

Special guest Dr Sara Miller, editor of leading scientific journal, Molecular Cell also presented at the conference, advising on the process of publishing research in high-impact journals.

Professor Bracken, from Trinity’s School of Genetics and Microbiology, said of the conference: “It was an enormous success, showcasing the world-class research being carried out in Ireland. This first meeting provides an ideal springboard for the future of the AICC as we expand our consortium and gain international recognition.” 

Dr Eric Conway, Assistant Professor in UCD and PhD graduate of Trinity College Dublin, organised this first conference of the AICC, along with Dr Elaine Dunleavy, senior lecturer in the University of Galway. Dr Conway said “Initiatives like the AICC are critical for maintaining strong research connections across the island, especially in a post-Brexit Ireland. We are hopeful that this network will lead to future research funding, healthcare innovations and breakthroughs in the field of chromatin biology.”  

More information about the All-Ireland Chromatin Consortium can be found on the AICC website.

This piece was written by Ellen Tuck, PhD Candidate, School of Genetics and Microbiology.

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