Report reveals research triumphs

Funding from Science Foundation Ireland — the Government’s science agency — has contributed to breakthroughs in areas such as sudden infant death syndrome, cancer, superbugs, and blindness.

SFI has been involved in supporting 5,740 scientific publications in 2011. The agency worked across a number of fields to ensure Ireland maintains its image as a leading research and development base, while creating new employment opportunities for Irish graduates.

In its annual report for 2011, SFI revealed it had secured €156m and created nearly 1,000 links between SFI-funded research and companies in Ireland.

The huge investment in science and partnering with industry led to 39 new technologies being licensed, up 73% on 2010.

Yesterday, SFI director general Professor Mark Ferguson said: “SFI’s strategic investment in research in the fields of science and engineering is building on our position in the global rankings and Ireland is internationally recognised for the quality of the work being done by the research community.

“The research breakthroughs which we have seen across Ireland over the past year serve to underscore the importance of investment in Ireland’s future and I look forward to seeing the further discoveries in 2012.”

Some breakthroughs last year included researchers in the Royal College of Surgeons developing a new cancer treatment technology, and Tyndall researchers developing a sensor that allows for monitoring of patients at risk of obstructive apneas.

Innovation minister Seán Sherlock said SFI needed to prioritise research that could result in economic benefit for Ireland. He praised SFI for achieving a more than 150% increase in links between industry and academia.