Mission

To address key gaps in our understanding of chromosome structure, function, replication, regulation, and migration; with impacts on the understanding and treatment of chromosome diseases such as cancer

Logo

The CCB logo is an abstract representation of the DNA double helix that makes up chromosomes, showing two turns of one strand separated by a 3.4 nm groove. This logo shows that science is in our DNA and that our science is on DNA. Download our logo pack here.

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History

The University of Galway was founded in 1845, the same year as the journal Scientific American. Since then, the university has taught and employed many notable individuals, including renowned historical scientists such as Joseph Larmor (1880) who proposed the existence of electrons, William King (1849) who identified and named Neanderthals, and Thomas Dillon (1919) who investigated the organic chemistry of carbohydrates.

The Centre for Chromosome Biology evolved from the Genome Stability Cluster, founded in 2001 by a group of three researchers interested in the DNA damage response. This research cluster expanded rapidly in both numbers and scientific scope until it included 11 research groups studying the inter-related chromosomal themes of DNA repair, DNA replication, chromosome segregation and transcription regulation.

In 2008 this grouping was recognised with full centre status by the university and continued to grow into a larger group of collaborating researchers investigating a broader scope of chromosome biology including nucleosomes, centromeres, and epigenetics.

In the summer of 2014, a new purpose-built Biosciences Research Building was opened by the former Taoiseach Enda Kenny. The CCB relocated to the ground floor laboratories of this building located on the North campus of the University.

Former Members:

Reputation

Centre

The CCB is at the forefront of chromosome biology with multiple annual publications of cutting-edge research in various high impact journals. The CCB PIs have a mean h-index of 32 and a median of 34, showing a consistently high value of publications across all groups. The centre also has a cumulative i10 index of over 500 which additionally highlights the high volume of high quality publications at the CCB.

Since our establishment, the CCB has been home to hundreds of researchers including research assistants, masters, PhDs, and post-doctoral researchers. The CCB is proud to have many high achieving alumni among them working in both academia and industry:

  • Dr James Gahan (Frank Group), Principal Investigator at the CCB.
  • Dr Muriel Grennon (Lowndes Group), Lecturer at UoG and Founding Director of CellExplorers.
  • Dr Caitríona Collins (Dunleavy Group), Lecturer at TUS.
  • Dr Christine Colleran (McStay Group), Director of Manufacturing at Regeneron.
  • Níamh Ní Chuile, MSc, (Santocanale Group), Scientific Editor at Frontiers, Ireland.

University

The CCB is a part of the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences of the College of Science and Engineering in the University of Galway which has over 60 research centres and institutes. Our university has played a pivotal role in education, research, and innovation since 1845. With annual research funding of over €65M, capital investment of over €400M, partnerships with over 3000 global institutions, and a vast library of knowledge, it is no surprise the University of Galway ranks in the top 2% of universities worldwide.