€17m unit tackles health problems
Almost 200 researchers are working at the €17 million Biosciences Institute at University College Cork, which was officially opened by Health Minister Micheál Martin yesterday.
The multi-disciplinary teams have been working together to help improve understanding of health problems.
A study of colon cancer is near completion and is expected to lead to the identification of risk factors for the disease.
Genetic researchers are working to identify causes of miscarriages, while cellular investigations are also being carried out into the onset of Alzheimer’s and muscular disease.
One of the key areas of research is into irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, for which treatments have already been developed.
The purpose-built building is one of the first completed projects under the Higher Education Authority’s Programme for Research in Third Level Education.
Professor John Fraher, the institute director, said the investment could prove very worthwhile.
“The institute will generate success by enhancing the health and well-being of mankind, by generating spin-off biotechnology industries and by bringing multinational investment to the region through the quality of its research training,” he said.
Mr Martin said people should benefit greatly from the work being done at the institute.
“The research activities here cover a wide variety of diseases which take a huge toll here in Ireland and around the world,” he said.
Prof Fraher said the attraction of the institute to potential investors is the unique interlinking between different research areas.
