UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science. Excellence in Education & Research.

UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science. Excellence in Education & Research.

Biomedical Science

Academic staff within the School of Medicine are deployed within one of six academic sections which integrate across subject area and geographical location. Academic sections are managed by a Section Leader or by a local Site Lead.  

Academic Sections

 

 

A substantial component of the School’s programmes is delivered by academic staff within the Biomedical Sciences Section, the largest academic section within the School which includes Human Anatomy, Medical Informatics, Medical Microbiology, Pathology and Physiology. Comprising approximately 50 academic and 35 funded research staff, this Section is responsible for much of the preclinical education with our Medicine programmes and contributes strongly to Physiology, Radiography, Biomedical Health & Life Science degree programmes. It also contains academic staff with expertise in molecular, proteomic, genomic, bioinformatics and computational biology. 

The Section coordinates the teaching of over 75 modules to over 750 students.  The majority of the School’s research activity and graduate programmes are also delivered by staff within this Section which has over 75 Graduate Research masters or doctoral students. The group is highly research active and contains a number of principal investigators based within the UCD Health Science Centre, the UCD Conway Institute, Systems Biology Ireland and UCD CASL.

The Biomedical Sciences Section is currently led by Prof Paul McLoughlin, Deputy Head of School, Head of Physiology.

Biomedical Sciences Section

Subject Areas Within this Section

Human Anatomy

Human Anatomy is primarily the study of the morphology of the human body. Our undergraduate teaching correlates the anatomical knowledge learned from independent study and cadaver dissection with the clinical application of anatomical principles, clinical skills sessions illustrating functional anatomy, surface anatomy practical sessions where group numbers allow, and integrate medical imaging in both dissection room and didactic teaching settings

Head of Subject: Professor James Jones

  

Medical Informatics

Medical Informatics is concerned with the convergence of healthcare, information and computer science. The subject includes the study of electronic patient medical records, bioinformatics and technologies arising from the ‘Omics revolution.

Head of Subject: Dr Patrick Felle

 

Medical Microbiology

The branch of medicine and microbiology that deals with the study of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites), which are of medical importance and capable of causing infectious diseases in human beings.

Head of Subject: Dr Koon Meng Chan

 

Pathology

The detailed study of the cause (aetiology), mechanisms of development (pathogenesis), structural alterations in the human body and the clinical consequences of disease.

Head of Subject: Assoc Prof Amanda McCann

 

Physiology

The science of the function of biomolecules, cells, organs, and organ systems within the human body. An understanding of healthy function (normal physiology) is key to understanding disease processes and biological dysfunction.

Head of Subject: Professor Paul McLoughlin

 

Biography: Prof Paul McLoughlin

Paul McLoughlin is a Professor of Physiology at UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research. Professor McLoughlin is a member of the Royal College of Physicians Ireland and gained his PhD from the University of London.

Professor McLoughlin is one of the School's most senior researchers, and his group focuses on the exploration and understanding of key mechanisms in the development and progression of lung diseases. These diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, cystic fibrosis, adult respiratory distress syndrome and occupational lung diseases and are amongst the most common (and increasing) causes of death and disability worldwide. No major therapeutic advances targeting novel molecular pathways have been made for many years due to the extremely limited knowledge of the underlying mechanisms. 

Lung diseases all cause reduced oxygen in the lung which then activates mechanisms that are pro-inflammatory, pro-thrombotic and promote maladaptive vascular remodelling.  Our current research is focused on understanding the specific mechanisms in the lung through which hypoxia promotes these disease responses. An understanding of these mechanisms enables the identification of potential therapeutic strategies that can be used to target the disease process within the lung without causing unwanted adverse effects in other organs.

Positions Held

  • 2004-present Professor of Physiology, UCD
  • 1998-2004 Associate Professor of Physiology, UCD1996-1998 Statutory (Senior) Lecturer in Physiology, UCD
  • 1993-1996 Lecturer in Physiology, UCD
  • 1992-1993 Postgraduate Medical Training
  • 1989-1993 Wellcome Research Fellow, UMDS, University of London
  • 1987-1989 Lecturer in Medicine, Trinity College Dublin
  • 1985-1987 Postgraduate Medical Training Dublin Hospitals
  • 1984-1985 Medical Demonstrator, Physiology UCD
  • 1983-1984 Postgraduate Medical Training St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin

Education

  • 1993 PhD, University of London
  • 1987 Member Royal College of Physicians in Ireland
  • 1985 BSc Physiology (Hons) University College Dublin
  • 1983 MB BCh, BAO (Hons) University College Dublin

 

Academic Support

Biomedical Sciences Admin Team

Biomedical Sciences Admin Team