Enzyme biotechnology:  The development of renewable sources of liquid fuels as an alternative to fossil fuels is receiving increasing global attention due environmental, economic and energy security concerns.  The production of bioethanol from cellulose-based raw materials (e.g. grass, straw & wood) is at the forefront of this technology, but a major stumbling block is how to effectively degrade the cellulose to its glucose building blocks (the glucose is then fermented to ethanol, basically by brewing technology).  A major ongoing focus of my research group is the identification and use of enzymes (proteins that speed up chemical reactions) derived from thermoacidophilic bacteria (bugs that grow best in boiling acid) to more efficiently achieve cellulose degradation (a process that currently usually entails the use of boiling acid).  These enzymes are also academically interesting because they work best under such extreme conditions.  An additional focus of my research group is to identify selected enzymes produced by acidophilic bugs which can be used as digestive supplements in humans or animals (working in the acidic environs of the stomach).  For example, the identification of acid-active ‘lactase’ enzymes to degrade milk lactose in the stomach, thereby alleviating lactose intolerance (which effects up to 75% of the world’s adult population).   

 Pharmaceutical biotechnology (Biopharmaceuticals):  Biopharmaceuticals are drugs (mainly proteins such as insulin and antibodies, but also pieces of DNA called ‘gene therapy’ products) that are synthesized biologically (as opposed to chemically), usually via genetic engineering.  These products are at the cutting edge of the pharmaceutical sector, recording sales of €107 billion in 2011.  My research in this area focuses largely upon altering the method of manufacturing (bioprocessing) of these products in order to achieve manufacturing more economically and making it more environmentally friendly in the process (green pharmaceutical manufacturing)  We also work on stabilizing such proteins by attaching a chemical called PEG to them, as well as on the identification & analysis of trends/ likely future directions in biopharmaceutical production systems/ products/regulatory science.   

Curriculum design.   
Curriculum design and development, particularly with reference to pharmaceutical biotechnology/ protein biotechnology.

A short description of the 3 core modules I teach is provided below, along with teaching quality indicators. 
In addition to these I contribute to a first year introductory biochemistry module and to an introductory science module taught to our first year nursing students.  I have or continue to lecture on taught biotechnology-related courses at the National University of Ireland, Galway, the University of Grenoble, France and the University of Jyvaskla, Finland.  I have/continue to serve as external examiner for a total of 14 taught undergraduate and postgraduate biotechnology-related courses at University College Cork, Dublin City University and several Institutes of Technology.  

BC 4903 (Biomolecules; second year undergraduate level)
The range of biomolecules; their structure, properties, functions & selected biotech applications.                         

BC 4705 (Industrial Biochemistry 1; second year undergraduate level)
Practical Aspects of Pharmaceutical Manufacture: (International Pharmacopoeia, GMP, Clean Rooms, CDS,   Purified water & WFI.  Product Flow Through the Facility and Associated Documentation.  Validation. 
 Industrial enzymes and proteins; range, applications and selected case studies.  the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and IPPC Licensing for biotechnology.

BC 4718 (Industrial Biochemistry 2; final year undergraduate level)
Animal cell culture.  The drug development  process & patenting.  Regulatory route for new drugs in USA & EU and ICH.  Patenting in biotechnology.  Biopharmaceutical manufacture: Sources of biopharmaceuticals.  Upstream processing.  Downstream processing.  Post translational modifications and their significance.  Product  QC and the range and significance of potential product impurities.  Specific biopharmaceuticals; Case studies

Evidence of teaching Quality

Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET) results for Gary Walsh, as independently undertaken by the University’s Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) over the last number of years. 

 Forth year module (assessed 2012)          Overall teaching effectiveness; 5.0 out of 5.0

(BC 4718; to Galway students via            Overall module effectiveness;  5.0 out of 5.0

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Forth year module (assessed 2012)          Overall teaching effectiveness; 4.7 out of 5.0

(BC 4718; to UL students)                       Overall module effectiveness;   4.7 out of 5.0

 

Second year Module (assessed 2012)      Overall teaching effectiveness;  4.7 out of 5.0

(BC 4705; small group teaching)             Overall module effectiveness;   4.7 out of 5.0

 

 Third year Module (assessed 2009)     Overall teaching effectiveness; 5.0 out of 5.0

(BC 4705; small group teaching)         Overall module effectiveness;   4.7 out of 5.0

 

Forth year module (assessed 2009)          Overall teaching effectiveness; 5.0 out of 5.0

(BC 4718; small group teaching)         Overall module effectiveness;   4.7 out of 5.0

                                                           

 Forth year module  (assessed 2003)         Overall teaching effectiveness; 4.9 out of 5.0

(BC 4708; Small group teaching):         Overall module effectiveness;   4.7 out of 5.0

                                                           

 First year module (assessed 2003)           Overall lecture effectiveness;   4.9 out of 5.0

(BC 4401; Small group teaching)         Overall module effectiveness;  not asked

                                                           

 Second year module (assessed 2003)       Overall lecture effectiveness;  4.6 out of 5.0

(BC 4903; Large group teaching):        Overall module effectiveness; 4.5 out of 5.0