DCU excels in obtaining EU funding for training young researchers
DCU has had unprecedented success in the recently announced Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action: Innovative Training Networks (ITN) awards. Four DCU researchers (Dr Donnacha Ó Beacháin (Coordinator), Dr Andrew Kellett (Coordinator), Dr Niall Barron (Partner) and Dr Brian Kelleher (Partner)) were awarded funding in this highly competitive international programme.
Drs Ó Beacháin, Kellet, Barron and Kelleher have proposed exciting researcher training networks which will offer significant scope for developing research capacity and key expertise in their discipline areas but which will also enhance the reputation of DCU for the provision of targeted, relevant and cross-disciplinary research training opportunities.
The aim of the ITN programme is to create original and innovative training programmes which will lead to a new generation of creative and entrepreneurial early-stage researchers equipped to face current and future economic and societal challenges through the conversion of knowledge into practice, products and/or services.
Further details of each of the successful awards are below:
Dr Andrew Kellett: ClickGene – Click Chemistry for Future Gene Therapies to Benefit Citizens, Researchers and Industry
The ClickGene training network aims to address current limitations in the area of gene therapy by providing expert training to the next generation of researchers in the fields of biomaterials chemistry and epigenetic probe development. In collaboration with renowned European academic partners and highly competitive industry partners, Dr Kellett along with researchers at the NICB and School of Chemical Sciences will provide postgraduate training to ensure participants develop expertise in cutting edge applications relevant to the areas of gene therapy, nanotechnology, and biodiagnostics. Postgraduates will gain invaluable exposure during inter-disciplinary secondments and attendance at industry workshops. ClickGene will enable the advancement of gene-targeted technology, enhance European competitiveness in the biopharmaceutical sector, and educate the next-generation of research leaders within this field.
Dr Donnacha Ó Beacháin and Dr Eileen Connolly: CASPIAN
The main goal of this project is to train the next generation of experts on the Caspian region in order to establish, and make sustainable, a network of excellence. This will be achieved through an integrated PhD programme on the Caspian region that boosts researchers’ theoretical, empirical and administrative skills. The training will enhance the skills of the Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) while also giving them a first-hand experience with a partner operating in a different environment, thus learning how to apply their skills to different fields and sectors. The network and training is expected to become a leading voice on issues related to the Caspian region both in academia and other sectors. The consortium, which is led by the Institute for International Conflict Resolution and Reconstruction at DCU, is formed by seven leading universities based in a wide range of countries, and each of them hosts some of the leading specialists on the region. The Project Coordinator will be Dr Donnacha Ó Beacháin, who has already successfully completed several Marie Curie projects under FP7. The award is worth €3.81 million.
Dr Niall Barron and Dr. Paula Meleady: Enhancing CHO by Mammalian Systems Biotechnology (eCHO systems)
DCU is one of four universities involved in the delivery of this exciting, inter-disciplinary ITN graduate training programme entitled ‘eCHO Systems’. The programme takes advantage of the recent sequencing of the Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell genome in order to optimize the production of therapeutic proteins, Biopharmaceuticals. CHO cells are the main production host for the >€70billion/year Biopharmaceutical market and advancement of more flexible and lower cost production options will greatly impact and benefit this global industry. The award is coordinated by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and is also supported by 15 industrial participants. The researcher training provided will be an intense preparation in computational systems biology, cell and molecular biology, as well as business and entrepreneurship - producing a cadre of researchers poised to transform Biopharmaceutical manufacturing technology.
Dr Brian Kelleher: REMEDIATE
The REMEDIATE ETN will focus on the provision of innovative research and training for more cost effective and sustainable remediation of contaminated land. The network comprises 11 beneficiaries (from 6 EU Member States – the UK, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and Italy) and 13 partner organisations. The participants will greatly benefit from the multidisciplinary collaboration between internationally renowned research teams (from both the academic and non-academic sectors) each with complementary expertise in a wide range of site investigation and risk assessment technologies.
https://www.dcu.ie/info/staff_member.php?id_no=3593
Picture of ITN awardees: Dr Brian Kelleher, Dr Paula Meleady, Dr Niall Barron, Dr Andrew Kellett.