New Cross-Institutional PhD Programme to Bridge Gap between Research and Industry

Posted on: 24 March 2011

An exciting new research programme in which Trinity College is a key partner was recently launched by Molecular Medicine Ireland (MMI).    The MMI Clinical and Translational Research Scholars Programme (CTRSP) is a unique cross-institutional programme which will develop graduates with knowledge and skills to pursue disease-focused research and bridge gaps between basic scientists, clinical scientists and industry.

The new PhD programme is integrated with industry and clinical research centres and is designed to foster biomedical entrepreneurs and prepare graduates for careers in industry and academic medical centres.  It will be run over 4 years with year 1 comprising taught modules and placements in industry, in academic research labs and in clinical research facilities.  Scholars will then select PhD projects in areas including drug discovery, discovery or validation of biomarkers and patient-oriented research in clinical research facilities.  Scholars pursuing the course will be based in either TCD, NUI Galway, UCD or UCC. 

Commenting on the significance of the new programme Head of Trinity’s School of Medicine and Vice-Provost for Medical Affairs, Professor Dermot Kelleher said: “This programme is designed to train translational scientists.  We feel that this provides a “missing link” in the educational process for the biomedical sciences in Ireland.”

Twenty CTRSP scholarships will be awarded to commence the programme in 2011 with five based in each of the academic partners.  The programme has been developed with and includes significant involvement of industry and of the Irish Medicines Board.  Industry partners include Amgen, Creganna-Tactx Medical, Merrion Pharmaceuticals, Medtronic, Opsona, and Pfizer.  Scholars will benefit from placements in industry and from the involvement of industry and the regulator in the design and delivery of taught modules.

The MMI Clinical and Translational Research Scholars Programme is funded through Cycle 5 of the Government’s Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions.

Further details and application procedure are available at: http://www.molecularmedicineireland.ie/ctrsp.  The closing date for applications is 5pm Tuesday 26 April 2011.

Molecular Medicine Ireland was established in 2008 as a research partnership by TCD, UCD, UCC, NUI Galway and RCSI to accelerate the translation of biomedical research into improved diagnostics and therapies for patients.