Prof William Gallagher, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science and UCD Conway Institute
UCD is leading a major melanoma research project which will investigate the molecular basis underlying this potentially fatal and difficult-to-treat disease. The research will focus on the discovery of new biomarkers, which can be used to measure the progress of the disease, and potential targets for therapy.
Target-Melanoma has received €1.73 million in funding as part of the Marie Curie Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways Programme. According to programme co-ordinator Prof William Gallagher, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science and UCD Conway Institute malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive disease, with minimal treatment options for patients that present in the latter stages.
‘Target-Melanoma is a wide ranging project to investigate several areas of melanoma biology using a range of specialised technologies. This project will support and advance biomedical research capacity with high-level training of scientists, and will point the way towards improvements in the management and treatment of melanoma patients,’ Prof Gallagher said.
Nine partners across five EU countries, including five academic institutions and four SMEs are collaborating on the project. Irish companies Cellix, SlidePath and OncoMark are among the collaborators. The academic partner groups will bring expertise in relation to the study of melanoma progression and will provide access to tumour samples, which will be used throughout the project. Target-Melanoma will support multiple secondments between the Irish SMEs and UCD, as well as the other European-based academic participants.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland. The incidence of malignant melanoma, a potentially fatal skin cancer, is rising in Ireland with over 600 people being diagnosed each year. A further 7,000 people are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer each year.
In June 2008, UCD launched the Charles Institute, the first academic institute devoted to dermatology in Ireland.
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