From Biotechnology to Immunology: a journey of a cell biologist under the microscope

Posted on: 22 April 2024

The inaugural Lecture of Professor Aideen Long, entitled ‘From Biotechnology to Immunology: a  journey of a cell biologist under the microscope’ will take place on Thursday 25 April in The Durkan Lecture Theatre in Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James’s Hospital. The lecture will begin at 6pm followed by a reception, and all are welcome to attend.

Register to attend this event here.

About Aideen's lecture

Aideen Long is a Principal Investigator and currently Director of Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI). Understanding and addressing the challenges of human diseases like cancer, infection and inflammatory disease requires a multi-faceted and multidisciplinary approach. At TTMI, clinicians, scientists, technologists and other healthcare professionals work together to find solutions to these challenges, including diagnostics, therapeutics and innovative approaches like cell therapy.

As an immunologist and cell biologist, Aideen’s research has contributed to our knowledge of how cells (T cells/cancer cells) migrate. Cell migration is the basis of inflammation and cancer metastasis and therefore these diseases share common mechanisms. Over her research career, her group has characterised the specific role of enzymes and structural proteins in the molecular mechanisms required for cells to migrate.

In a translational sense, they have applied the knowledge gained from this fundamental  research to understand how cell function is disturbed in disease. For example, in inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease, T cells migrate to, and accumulate in the skin and GI tract respectively and drive tissue damage and inflammation. Understanding this process forms the basis for design of novel therapeutic interventions.

About Inaugural Lectures

It is the tradition in that newly appointed Professors in Trinity are invited to give an Inaugural Lecture. The lecture represents the official recognition of their appointment to Professor and the lecture itself provides an opportunity to showcase their achievements in research, innovation, engagement and teaching activities before an audience of members of the University community, invited stakeholders and the general public. An inaugural lecture is a significant event in an academic staff member’s career.

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