Breakthrough Cancer Research event showcases ground-breaking cancer research at UL
A showcase of cancer research at University of Limerick has brought members of the public behind the laboratory doors.
The event, co-hosted by Breakthrough Cancer Research and UL’s Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre, was held recently at UL’s Bernal Institute and showcased the ground-breaking cancer research happening across the University.
Organised by UL’s Bernal Institute, Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre and Health Research Institute, the event gave members of the public the opportunity to meet the teams behind the research as they explored the full journey of cancer research across six interactive stations.
From patient involvement to cutting‑edge technologies shaping the future of treatment, UL researchers demonstrated how they are working with clinicians and patients to drive new breakthroughs in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Member of the public were shown cancer cells under microscopes and state-of-the-art equipment used for making cancer therapies. Devices designed to improve the lives of people affected by cancer were also showcased at the event, including a fibre optic sensing of radiotherapy dosage and a personalised 3D printed breast prothesis for breast cancer patients post-mastectomy.
The links between UL and University Hospital Limerick across clinical trials, sample donation and biobanking were also highlighted at the event.
Professor Aedín Culhane, director of the Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre and Professor of Cancer Genomics at UL, said: “We are living through an extraordinary era for cancer research. Scientific advances that once seemed decades away are now happening at an incredible pace, transforming our understanding of cancer and opening new possibilities for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
“We are delighted to welcome our local community to the Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre to see this progress firsthand – from our pioneering biomedical engineering, our laboratories developing advanced cell culture models and bioinformatics teams using cutting-edge data science to unlock new discoveries and bring clinical trials to Midwest patients.
“Our research centre and the UL School of Medicine are young but have a passionate vision and expertise to impact and improve health outcomes in the Midwest.”
Breakthrough Cancer Research invests in world-class research in Ireland to impact the quality of life for people with cancer and save lives.
Orla Dolan, Chief Executive of Breakthrough Cancer Research, said: “We have over 220,000 people in Ireland who are cancer survivors – that’s more than we ever had before. But that’s all off the back of scientists and researchers challenging themselves to find new and better ways to treat cancer.”
At the event, John Lawler, a member of UL’s Public Patient Involvement (PPI) panel, spoke of the importance of patient involvement in cancer research and encouraged other cancer patients and carers to share their lived experiences.
John described the cancer research showcase at UL’s Bernal Institute as ‘inspiring’.
“The scientists are delivering groundbreaking cancer research using the latest equipment and knowledge. The dedication and passion of the scientists was clear at all levels, from students to qualified scientists,” he said.
“The event, for me, highlighted the importance of PPI in the research process as the scientists are able to use our lived experience in their research for more meaningful outcomes.”
