University of Galway’s publishing platform, Cois Coiribe, discusses the University’s community research and achievements and its alumni successes. The well-regarded digital magazine has covered topics ranging from Mary Robinson: Trailblazer for Global Justice and Human Rights to Water Is at the Centre of the Climate Crisis – an interview with Rory Moses McKeown, senior technical consultant at WHO.
Today, we explore an article featuring Abigail Martin, chief executive, co-founder and director of ImmuONE, and how horses inspired one scientist’s big invention. Speaking with Cois Coiribe’s editorial team, University of Galway alumna, Dr Martin, shared her inspired ambitions to make animals’ lives better through science, and how that same science contributed to her research regarding human health.
Martin’s company, ImmuONE, developed a groundbreaking human in vitro lung product and has influenced the way that companies conduct testing, improving human safety practices. The methods used have led to a measurable reduction in animal testing, providing an ethical alternative to crucial tests needed to bring products to market.
In the article, Martin discusses her upbringing in Schull, Co Cork as well as her transition year spent in England. Horses were a large part of her life and she found herself immersed in the equestrian domain. This afforded her hands-on insight into the challenges that come with competition horses, including accidents and diseases. It was ultimately this trajectory that led Martin to explore the field of biotechnology, informing her decision to complete a science degree, awarded to her by the university in 2007.
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Following a placement at Ontario Veterinary College as a research assistant, Martin’s work with reproductive toxicology established her growing interest in the subject, as well as its translation to human patients. After earning an MA in Toxicology from University of Galway, and a PhD in Respiratory Toxicology from University of Hertfordshire, 2019 saw Martin founding ImmuONE in partnership with Prof Victoria Hutter, CSO. Martin’s achievements and patented 3D human lung model had an eager market waiting, and it was then that Martin realised her research’s true potential. As part of her efforts with the Innovation-to-Commercialisation for University Research (ICURe) initiative, she received enthusiastic feedback, ultimately leading to her project being awarded a fund of £300,000 to begin commercialising proprietary technology.
Now working from a 1,500 square foot state-of-the-art facility, Martin and ImmuONE conducts research in special sterile units. Their manufacturing area provides a space to cultivate deep lung human cells, producing 3D human lung models, a unique selling point being the presence of immune cells. They carefully nourish macrophages in the models, allowing for responsive results among the 3D lungs when exposed to various chemicals. Adaptive and adverse responses are measured for clients across the globe. Incorporating Good Lab Practice (GLP), the findings from the ImmuONE lab help to not only reduce the reliance on animal testing for a wide range of products, but they enable commercial clients to confidently display cruelty-free or animal-free testing labels.
Reflecting on Covid-19, Martin considers how much remains a mystery about respiratory health, particularly in the deep lung and lower airways. It’s an area of research that offers an opportunity for growth, and she encourages students to engage with study areas that inspire them most. She also reminds that exams are not the only indicator of knowledge, and that it’s normal to feel intimidated. To future scholars and researchers, she recommends embracing uncertainty, building a diverse network and allowing space for confidence to grow.
It was through dedication and perseverance that she achieved her well-respected status, ImmuONE’s activities making a true, daily difference in peoples’ lives. From horses to miniature models of lungs that demystify the complex systems keeping our bodies stable, Martin has had an amazing investigative journey. And it’s not done yet! There’s so much more left to uncover, and she is keen to see what more she can illuminate for the ever-growing scientific community.
For more information, see impact.universityofgalway.ie