Watch the Latest Science on Screen Animation Commissions 2024

Science on Screen Animation Launch 2024
Science on Screen Animation Launch 2024

Date posted:

31.07.2024

Tags:

  • animation
  • CÚRAM
  • science on screen

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Nature Inspired Adhesion 

“Nature Inspired Adhesion” was made by Brosna O’Donovan of Mighty Grays Studio in Sligo. The animation is based on a research project by Prof. Andreas Heise and Prof. Gerard Wall. The project outlines how researchers at CÚRAM are working to design a new hydrogel that can mimic the mucous layer which protects the colon in a healthy individual.  

“It’s beautifully made – it tells the story really well. A lot better than me standing beside you and just describing what we do. I can meet you at a party – and I do – and describe my work. But this is elegant, nicely made, and much more understandable. And what I like about it too, is that it’s not just the concept, you get a sense of the methodology as well. As scientists, we tend to sit in a lab and develop highly technical language, specific jargon that’s completely impenetrable. And not just to the public, but to anybody who’s not in your field. It becomes important for us to come out of the lab and explain to the public. If you’re going to work in this field of bioscience, biomedicine, or bioengineering, and you’re expecting the public to embrace and adapt and accept your developments and your devices and your medicines, then you’ve got to bring them along the journey with you. You’ve got to give them information in a relatable manner, so they can understand what you’re doing.” Professor Gerard Wall

Developing Biodegradable Coatings for Prevention of Infection in Urinary Stents 

“Developing Biodegradable Coatings for Prevention of Infection in Urinary Stents” was made by Christopher Tierney of Earthbound Films in Galway. This animation is based on a research project by Professor Tofail Syed, Associate Professor & Head of Physics Department, University of Limerick, outlining how researchers at CÚRAM are developing electrically active coatings that will prevent bacteria from colonising stents which are inserted when the path between a person’s kidneys and their bladder becomes restricted.  

“It’s excellent – I couldn’t talk enough about how fantastic that is. Especially for patients that have to deal with that situation and have these urinary stents – someone is listening to them and someone’s working on it and trying to improve their quality of life. To be able to explain it to people that aren’t in the field in such a simple and succinct way, and in a minute – I’m blown away, and Professor Tofail Syed as well. I couldn’t say enough good things – it’s fantastic.” Kristine O’Dwyer, PhD student at University of Limerick 

Solutions for Inflammatory Bowel Disease 

“Solutions for Inflammatory Bowel Disease” was made by Brosna O’Donovan of Mighty Grays Studio in Sligo. The animation is based on a research project by Prof. Yury Rochev, Masroora Hassan and Dr. Giriprasath Ramanathan, outlining how researchers at CÚRAM are aiming to create new and improved bio adhesive materials for tissue repair or delivery of medicines, taking inspiration from nature. The hydrogels being developed can be used in a medical setting and can have a wider application than existing bio adhesives, be simpler to use and more effective for wound healing and in patients post-surgery.  

It’s been very interesting to work with Brosna on this animation project. It’s very new for us to explain our research, to animate it, to make it readable or very visualized for the general public. Anyone can, if they have just one minute, understand the process of this solution for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This was a thrilling experience for us and our group to be part of.” – Dr. Giriprasath Ramanathan 

Watch Science On Screen Animation: Solutions for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Phononic Lenses for Neuromodulation  

“Phononic Lenses for Neuromodulation” was made by Chris Tierney of Earthbound Films in Galway. The animation is based on a research project by Dr. Manus Biggs and Dr. Pravin Bhattarai. The project outlines how researchers at CÚRAM are working to develop a miniaturised, biocompatible lens that directs and focuses sound precisely on targeted brain regions to provide deep brain stimulation as treatment for neurological disorders, including Parkinsons’ disease. The acoustic lens, implanted in the skull, would receive and focus sound from a wearable emitter placed on the skin. The combination of the wearable device and implanted lens will allow physicians to regulate brain function in a minimally invasive manner, improving patient safety and comfort.  

“We’re taking a traditional, quite successful clinical procedure and we’re trying to make it less invasive. Deep brain stimulation has been used for decades; it’s been very successful in treating people with the central tremor derived from Parkinson’s disease. The shaking of the hand makes life very difficult for people with Parkinson’s, and if all else fails with pharmaceutical interventions, deep brain stimulation is looked at as a therapy. This animation gives us a great showcase to be able to present our research, not only to a wider audience, but also so we can engage with government bodies and national broadcasters and say look this is what we’re doing. I’ve been talking to RTÉ this week and they asked, ‘well, what you are doing, what’s going on at CÚRAM?’ And I was able to say ‘well, hang on, we have a couple of videos that show that exactly.’ It’s a great way of breaking down what we do across a broad range of research topics and present it to people whose job it is to spend taxpayers’ money wisely, and to get the message out there. For us, it’s not just the understanding of your work, but it’s the support for your work. That’s really going to make a difference and it feeds through to patients in 5-10 years.” – Dr. Manus Biggs

Watch Science on Screen Animation: Phononic Lenses for Neuromodulation

About Science on Screen

Science on Screen is a partnership project run by CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices (Science Foundation Ireland at University of Galway) & Ardán. The partnership began in 2016 and aims to facilitate, promote and increase the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production through the production of documentary films that incorporate current research at CÚRAM and its partners.  

These animations are the product of a new strand of CÚRAM and Ardan’s Science on Screen scheme which were launched in 2022 in association with the National Talent Academies Ireland Animation. These animations are on display as part of the #Superhuman exhibit at Galway City Museum Ireland. 

For more information on the next round of Science on Screen Animation Commissions get in touch with kenny@ardan.ie  

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