Trinity pair win European Research Council Starting Grants

Posted on: 03 September 2026

Dr Platnich, an Assistant Professor based in Trinity’s School of Chemistry, will lead project “SNAPRR”, which aims to transform how scientists detect and understand RNA viruses.

These viruses, which include those responsible for diseases such as COVID-19, Zika and hepatitis C, continue to pose a major threat to global health. Detecting them quickly and accurately is essential for diagnosing infections, tracking outbreaks and developing new treatments. However, current technologies often miss important details about viral chemistry that can influence how these pathogens spread, evolve, and respond to medicines.

SNAPRR will develop a new way to study viral RNA (the genetic material of many viruses) one molecule at a time, using tiny nanopore sensors approximately a thousand times smaller than the width of a human hair. By selectively tagging viral RNA with molecular barcodes, the team will identify individual viruses as they pass through these nanopores while simultaneously detecting subtle genetic changes and chemical features that existing methods often miss. 

Beyond improving our understanding of viral biology, the technology could pave the way for portable diagnostic devices, support the development of new antiviral medicines and vaccines, and strengthen our ability to respond rapidly to emerging infectious diseases.

Dr Platnich said: “Viruses are constantly changing, so keeping pace with them requires entirely new ways of studying their genetic material. 

“I’m passionate about developing technologies that can examine individual RNA molecules in unprecedented detail. By revealing hidden molecular information, I hope this work will deepen our understanding of viruses and help shape the next generation of diagnostic tools and therapeutics. I’m extremely grateful to the ERC and to Trinity College Dublin for the opportunity to tackle these important research questions.”

Dr Casey Platnich (left) with Dr Gabriela Kronemberger in Trinity's Rose Garden.

Dr Kronemberger, based in Trinity’s School of Engineering, will lead project “SMART-MENISCUS”, which sits at the intersection of programmable immune control and advanced biofabrication and aims to enable functional meniscus regeneration in the knee. 

Meniscal injuries are among the most prevalent orthopaedic conditions worldwide. However, current treatment strategies have had limited success in replicating the complex structure and function of the native meniscus. Moreover, they often overlook the post-injury inflammatory microenvironment, an important factor that impairs healing and contributes to progressive knee joint degeneration. 

The project aims to address this critical gap by integrating 3D bioprinting, stem cell engineering and gene delivery technologies to develop an approach that simultaneously targets the structural, cellular and immunological challenges of meniscus repair. 

And in the long term, SMART-MENISCUS may also establish a versatile framework for regenerating other musculoskeletal tissues, paving the way for innovative strategies in the tissue engineering field.

Dr Kronemberger said: “Meniscus injuries are very common, affecting a wide range of people of different ages, from elite athletes suffering sports-related meniscus injuries to our mothers and fathers whose menisci degenerate with age and general wear and tear. Despite their common nature, existing treatments are sub-optimal and new approaches are badly needed.

“Becoming an ERC awardee is the greatest honour of my career. I am deeply grateful to the ERC for this opportunity, which comes at a pivotal moment for me, and I am excited to begin this project, which will allow me to build my own research team and pursue ambitious new directions in tissue engineering to address a critical, unmet need. I would like to sincerely thank all my mentors, collaborators, and lab colleagues for their unwavering support, as well as the outstanding team at Trinity’s Research Development Office.”

ERC Starting Grants enable early career researchers to set up their own independent teams or laboratories and are among the most sought-after and competitive awards in Europe.

Since the inception of the ERC, Trinity has participated in 98 projects with a value of roughly €167 million. These new awards will join 44 active projects hosted at Trinity, including Starting, Consolidator, Advanced and Synergy Grants. For more information on Trinity’s past and present projects, see ERC Awards at Trinity (https://www.tcd.ie/research/people/erc.php).

Prof. Sinéad Ryan, Dean of Research at Trinity, said: “I offer my warmest congratulations to Casey and Gabriela on their awards. The two projects they will lead demonstrate their commitment to trying to improve human health and wellbeing by developing innovative approaches to track the evolution of globally impactful viruses, and create new bio-engineered materials to fill a critical unmet need.

“ERC application numbers have soared in recent years and the competition for these awards has become even more fierce. Trinity’s strategic plan, Thrive, pinpoints our desire to intensify our research from excellent to outstanding and the work that will be supported by these Starting Grants fits that bill. As always, we look forward to seeing how the projects progress in the coming years.”

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