Prof. Gary Walsh

Research Interests

Enzyme biotechnology: The development of renewable sources of liquid fuels as an alternative to fossil fuels is receiving increasing global attention due environmental, economic and energy security concerns. The production of bioethanol from cellulose-based raw materials (e.g. grass, straw & wood) is at the forefront of this technology, but a major stumbling block is how to effectively degrade the cellulose to its glucose building blocks (the glucose is then fermented to ethanol, basically by brewing technology). A major ongoing focus of my research group is the identification and use of enzymes (proteins that speed up chemical reactions) derived from thermoacidophilic bacteria (bugs that grow best in boiling acid) to more efficiently achieve cellulose degradation (a process that currently usually entails the use of boiling acid). These enzymes are also academically interesting because they work best under such extreme conditions. An additional focus of my research group is to identify selected enzymes produced by acidophilic bugs which can be used as digestive supplements in humans or animals (working in the acidic environs of the stomach). For example, the identification of acid-active lactase enzymes to degrade milk lactose in the stomach, thereby alleviating lactose intolerance (which effects up to 75% of the worlds adult population).

Pharmaceutical biotechnology (Biopharmaceuticals): Biopharmaceuticals are drugs (mainly proteins such as insulin and antibodies, but also pieces of DNA called gene therapy products) that are synthesized biologically (as opposed to chemically), usually via genetic engineering. These products are at the cutting edge of the pharmaceutical sector, recording sales of 107 billion in 2011. My research in this area focuses largely upon altering the method of manufacturing (bioprocessing) of these products in order to achieve manufacturing more economically and making it more environmentally friendly in the process (green pharmaceutical manufacturing) We also work on stabilizing such proteins by attaching a chemical called PEG to them, as well as on the identification & analysis of trends/ likely future directions in biopharmaceutical production systems/ products/regulatory science.

Curriculum design.
Curriculum design and development, particularly with reference to pharmaceutical biotechnology/ protein biotechnology.

Professional Activities

Education

2009 University of Limerick - Graduate Diploma in Academic Practice
1989 University College Galway - Ph.D.
1986 University College Galway - B.Sc.

Award

2006 - Special achievement in research award
2003 - University of Limerick excellence in teaching award

Committee

2004 International advisory committee, Pharma BioTec Europe 2004 conference,
2002 Board of governors and executive committee, European Association of Pharma Biotechnology,
2002 Scientific secretary, European Association of Pharma Biotechnology,