Irish research ranks with the best
The news that Trinity College Dublin and other colleges have helped the country to reach second in immunology research emerged as plans were announced for more than 400 events next week to mark Science Week.
The global ranking in Lab Times journal is based on the number of times papers from each country’s immunology research was cited by other scientists between 2000 and 2006, with Ireland behind first-placed Switzerland and ahead of the United States in third place.
About nine in 10 top papers in immunology here are published by researchers at TCD, making the ranking a testament to their performance in recent years.
“Very exciting research is being carried out in Trinity which is helping in the effort to find new treatments for diseases involving the immune system, such as tuberculosis, malaria and inflammatory bowel disease, and also in the effort to find new vaccines. It is especially rewarding to see our work being recognised in this way,” said Professor Luke O’Neill, head of TCD’s school of biochemistry and immunology.
The country’s future researchers could have their first taste of all things scientific during Science Week which runs from next Sunday to the following Sunday, November 18. More than 90,000 people are expected to attend the 400-plus events organised around the country to increase awareness of science, engineering and technology in our everyday lives.
Launching the programme yesterday, Education Minister Mary Hanafin said that encouraging children to follow a career in the sciences is critical to the country’s continued economic success.
Science Week is organised by Discover Science and Engineering. A lecture series in Dublin will include talks by former Liverpool player Craig Johnston who invented the Adidas Predator football boot, Dr Sheila Willis who heads the State Forensic Science Laboratory, and a former NASA astronaut.
www.scienceweek.ie.
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