This thematic area investigates complex biological questions with a strong emphasis on determining the molecular basis of disease, in particular in the fields of diabetes and vascular biology, neuroscience and cancer. It aligns with one of the key themes of Ireland's Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (2006-2013), in the area of Health and Healthcare Delivery. Within health and healthcare delivery, UCD is focusing on Biopharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Nanobiology, Food & Health and Translational Medicine. An interdisciplinary approach is needed to realise the objectives of the Health and Healthcare Delivery theme, which will be achieved through collaboration with other Schools in UCD in particular the School of Medicine and Medical Sciences (SMMS) and the School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine (SAFVM).
Research within this thematic area has contributed to the knowledge transfer mission of the University and in particular has fostered programmes that involve the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Key examples include:
- The SFI-funded ANRG, a partnership between the Conway Institute (including SBBS and SMMS), the Institute of Neuroscience at TCD is committed to identifying novel drug targets relevant to structural plasticity;
- The Diabetes Research Centre (DRC), funded through SFI, to which three members of the school belong and which brings together academic researchers from SMMS, clinican investigators from the DMMC and industrial partners Fibrogen. The UCD Diabetes Research Centre studies "Molecular mechanisms underlying the Initation, Progression and Potentional Regression of Diabetic kidney Disease".
The main remit of the Disease Mechanisms theme is to develop core underpinning technologies and supports for basic reseach (needed to investigate complex biological questions and to determine the molecualr basis od disease), translational research and new drug development. These will include:
- Development of a core imaging suite to enable in vivo imaging of molecular events in small animals;
- Enhancement of small animal and transgenicanimal facilities;
- Development of pharmacology capabilities.
Sub-thematic areas:
'Lab Skills: Three Places at Once' by Marco Monopoli