Patrick Murray Email & Phone Number

Ireland

Limerick

Dr. Patrick Murray is Principal Investigator, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre and lead researcher of CHIMERA (CHemIcal and Molecular microbial biotEchnology ReseArch) Research group at LIT. Dr Murray has been the strategic funding coordinator for LIT for the past 2 years leveraging researchers and companies both national and international to form strategic partnerships in FP7 and Horizon 2020 project opportunities. Dr. Murray a strong track record of collaboration with industry specifically in identification of innovative ingredients and biological products from natural resources including microalgae using novel state of the art processes to obtain lead molecules for drug development and value added food, flavour and medicinal products. Dr. Murray was the Scientific Coordinator and WP4 leader of an FP7 project "BAMMBO" on extraction of high-value bioactive molecules from marine plants and animals with specific interests on environmentally friendly and sustainable extraction processes (using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide). In his research field he has extensive knowledge of biochemical and microbiological techniques necessary for the maintenance of laboratory quality control standards. He also has a proficient knowledge of molecular biology techniques. Shannon ABC focuses on developing, enhancing and commercializing biotechnology by collaborating with industry to promote product diversification and enhancement, increase market growth and aid competitiveness.

Department Of Analytical Science

The aim CHIMERA research group is to screen microbes (bacteria, fungi, yeast, microalgae, cyanobacteria etc.) from varied habitats for bioactive compounds with industrially relevant commercial opportunity. The search for novel biologically active compounds which can act as lead compounds for the development is an ongoing process for multinational biotechnological industries. One of the most important sources of these novel biologically active compounds or secondary metabolites are microbes. For example one of the most important sources of these novel biologically active pharmaceutical compounds or secondary metabolites are fungi which produce a multitude of low molecular weight bioactive compounds. The ability of filamentous fungi to assemble an incredibly diverse array of small molecule natural products from simple and ubiquitous precursors belongs to their most remarkable physiological traits. Approximately 38% of the 22,000 known bioactive, microbial metabolites are of fungal origin. Production of newly discovered bioactive compounds will be further investigated by studying their structure and genetic production. CHIMERA identifies, extracts, characterises and purify’s bioactive compounds from microbial life-forms (fungi, yeast, microalgae, bacteria etc.) with potential innovative applications which falls within the first of LIT’s niche research areas of research ‘Biotechnology and Consumer foods’ as part of the Institutes research strategy 2025.

Doctor Of Philosophy, Biochemistry, Phd

Activities and Societies: . PhD Biochemistry-Microbial Bioenergy Systems

Leaving Certificate