Four UCC researchers receiving a combined €890,000 funding in the Marie Skłodowska -Curie Actions (MCSA) Postdoctoral Fellowship awards 2023.
Understanding the role of the gut microbiome in the early postnatal brain function and development of newborns is amongst the University College Cork (UCC) projects to receive funding in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MCSA) Postdoctoral Fellowship awards 2023.
Led by Dr Lorena Morales García, from APC Microbiome Ireland (APC), a world leading SFI Research Centre in the study of the microbiome, and the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience in UCC, the AVALON project will investigate the changes in newborn brain development due to an altered early life microbiota as a result of C-section birth. This surgical intervention is lifesaving, and is commonly performed. Therefore, understanding the effect of C-section on the brain of the newborns is an urgent societal need.
Dr Morales García is one of 1,249 postdoctoral researchers announced by the European Commission in the results of the 2023 call for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships. MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships aim to foster excellence through training and mobility and to equip researchers with new skills and competences to identify solutions to current and future challenges. Among the new UCC research projects funded a combined €890,000 by the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship awards are:
Dr Vincent Oliviero (Macroscopic Quantum Matter Group, School of Physics)
Project Title: Sub-Nanoscale Observation of Magnetic Monopole Noise (SNOMAN)
Funding Amount: €199,695
The magnetic version of the electron, the Dirac magnetic monopole, although predicted to exist, has yet to be discovered. Recently, the search for emergent magnetic monopoles in quantum materials has focused on spin-ice compounds, which host magnetic monopoles as emergent quasiparticles. Even though emergent monopoles have been studied using the toolbox of quantum matter research, the long-awaited monopole detection is still lacking because of the limited low spatial resolution probes and temperature range of the experiments. The SNOMAN project is a plan to develop a novel concept called Scanned Spin-Noise Microscope and provide a cutting-edge instrument for realising a Sub-Nanoscale Observation of magnetic monopole Noise. The microscope will be designed to operate in a cryogen-free dilution refrigerator to slow down the monopole dynamics and realise the long-awaited single monopole detection.
Dr Jamie Darby (School of Biological Environmental and Earth Sciences)
Project Title: Biologging to inform the Prevention of Seabird bYcatch (BioPSy)
Funding Amount: €274,426
As the global footprint of fisheries increases to match market demands, interactions between seabirds and vessels become more frequent leading to scavenging opportunities for many species, but also increase bycatch risk. Many seabird populations are in rapid decline, and bycatch in fishing gears has been identified as a leading cause. BioPSy is a global project, where the candidate will develop skills pertinent to seabird bycatch prevention in New Zealand, a country with an internationally recognised track record in applied conservation and seabird bycatch management. On the return phase, these skills will be applied to areas of Europe with severe seabird bycatch issues and little to no legislated corrective measures. Cutting-edge analyses will be developed and applied to seabird biologging data to design effective seabird bycatch prevention measures (SBPMs). BioPSy relies on stakeholder engagement for experimental design, with engagement skills and implementation focal point of the program.
Dr Vilas Patil (MicroNano Systems Centre, Tyndall National Institute)
Project Title: Gated Twisted 2D Superconductor Devices for Quantum Technologies (G-TScon2D)
Funding Amount: €215,534
G-TScon2D delves into the exciting realm of superconducting (SC) twistronics, where the manipulation of the twist angle between the layers has opened new avenues for investigating unconventional superconductivity, quantum transport, and emergent phenomena. A significant research gap exists in understanding and harnessing the unique properties of twisted 2D SC materials. G-TScon2D will bridge the scientific gap through a correlated experimental and simulation approach. Its technological advantage lies behind the inherent SC nature of the planned materials, which is expected to lead to higher operating temperature, a critical condition in quantum computing application.
Dr Lorena Morales García (APC Microbiome Ireland, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience)
Project Title: Investigating the consequences of birth by Caesarean Section in hypothalamic and Amygdala neurovascular development (AVALON)
Funding Amount: €199,695
Early postnatal development is a vulnerable period during which environmental factors significantly influence brain development. Among these factors, the gut microbiota has been found to impact brain function and development. However, there is a lack of mechanistic understanding regarding how changes in early-life microbiota composition can lead to brain dysfunction. AVALON aims to investigate the interactions between neonatal microbiota and neurovascular development in the hypothalamus and amygdala at molecular and cellular levels. I will utilize a C-section mouse model to disrupt early-life microbiota and assess its impact on neurovascular development through in-vivo tracer imaging and integrated multi-omics analysis. Additionally, AVALON will use a reporter mouse line to trace amygdala and hypothalamic neuronal populations. To ensure broad awareness of AVALON's outcomes, a dissemination strategy will be implemented, targeting scientific, public, and industry audiences. The strategy will aim to underscore the critical role of perinatal microbiota in shaping postnatal brain development.
Congratulating the four recipients from University College Cork on their awards, Professor John F. Cryan, UCC Vice President for Research and Innovation said:
“Congratulations to these early-career researchers in receiving Marie Curie awards, in key areas which will address critical scientific, health, and environmental challenges. These awards will provide important support to these emerging researchers, enabling them to develop their track record and transition to become independent research leaders.”