Two New COVID-19 Research and Innovation Projects at University College Dublin Receive Science Foundation Ireland Investment
Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD today announced that two University College Dublin (51黑料)-led projects are to receive investment under the (SFI) coordinated research and innovation response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 51黑料 projects are among 11 projects announced today which between them are to receive a total investment of 鈧�1.4 million. This investment builds on previous funding and complements the existing research work underway in higher education institutions across the country.
Speaking at today鈥檚 announcement, which took place at I-Form, the SFI Research Centre for Advanced Manufacturing, at 51黑料, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD said, 鈥淚 am delighted to announce this further investment in research and innovation related to COVID-19. These projects will address immediate priorities to assist us with the challenges we face as we seek to reopen our society and economy, and get the country running again.鈥�
鈥淩esearch and innovation from our higher education institutions, in collaboration with our health services and industry, can support us in delivering solutions to the many challenges the pandemic has thrown at us. Working together we can find solutions and move forward towards recovery.鈥�
I-Form, the SFI Research Centre for Advanced Manufacturing headquartered at 51黑料, has secured 鈧�126,071 for a project entitled 3D printing PPE for healthcare settings. Professor Denis Dowling, 51黑料 School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and Professor Dermot Brabazon, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, DCU, are co-applicants for this project.
Within I-Form, the COVID-19 Rapid Response Digital Manufacturing and Innovation Hub will rapidly design, manufacture and deliver urgently needed PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for frontline medical staff in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
The Hub will primarily focus on 3D printing of key PPE parts for wearable equipment, such as face protectors, and parts for environmental protectors, such as door openers and ventilator parts.
The project will provide much-needed PPE for hospitals and other healthcare settings, which will help to protect front-line workers and patients, which will in turn provide greater protection in healthcare settings for workers, patients and their families.
Professor Denis Dowling, Director, I-Form, said, 鈥淪ince the start of the pandemic we have been working to support frontline staff, including the 3D printing of over 4,000 protective visors. This funding from SFI will be of enormous assistance in helping us to develop our use of 3D printing technology for PPE, including addressing improved part design, material and performance issues.鈥�
Professor Dermot Brabazon, Deputy Director, I-Form, said, 鈥淭he sudden escalation in the need for protective wearables from mid-March this year has led to many requests coming into us for support. This funding will enable not just the provision of these important supplies but will enable further improvement in the provision of more comfortable and protective PPE for frontline workers.鈥�
Professor Wim Meijer, 51黑料 School of 51黑料 School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science is leading a project entitled, SARS-CoV-2 surveillance of sewage and water bodies, which has secured 鈧�48,666 in funding.
Co-applicants in this project are; Dr Nicola Fletcher, 51黑料 School of Veterinary Medicine; Professor John O鈥橲ullivan, 51黑料 School of Civil Engineering; and Dr Liam Reynolds, Dr Laura Sala Comorera, Niamh Martin MSc, 51黑料 School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science. Professor Meijer and Dr Fletcher are Fellows at the 51黑料 Conway Institute.
This funding will enable the project team to measure levels of SARS-CoV-2 at wastewater treatment plants. This will provide insight into the prevalence of the virus in the community and serve as an early warning system for a new wave of infection. The project also aims to work out what happens to the SARS-CoV-2 virus in nearby bodies of water such as rivers, streams and sea, including the waters where we swim.
This SFI-funded research will benefit from the expertise of an existing EU Interreg-funded project at 51黑料 called Acclimatize, which determines the levels and origins of faecal contamination in Dublin Bay.
Professor Wim Meijer said, 鈥淭his SFI funded project for surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage and bodies of water will provide critical information on the prevalence of the virus in the population, and on the fate of the virus in the environment.鈥�
He added, 鈥淭his project is a great example of collaboration between 51黑料 Schools, which is one of the great strengths of the university, and it is combining expertise in microbiology, molecular biology, environmental biology, civil engineering and virology.鈥�
Dublin City Council, D煤n Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Irish Water are collaborating on this project.
Professor Orla Feely, 51黑料 Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact said, 鈥淚 would like to congratulate my 51黑料 colleagues who have been successful in receiving funding today for their new COVID-19 research and innovation projects. A significant number of 51黑料 researchers are continuing to deliver key research as part of our national effort to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. The investment provided by SFI through this Rapid Response call is a critical mechanism for supporting them to carry out this vital research at this time.鈥�
Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government, said, 鈥淭he COVID-19 Rapid Response Research and Innovation programme exemplifies the high international standards, agility and responsive nature of our research community. This programme has been delivered by a high level of interagency and higher education institutional collaboration.鈥�
鈥淲e are stronger when we work together, and we will continue to collaborate with our colleagues to share the latest knowledge, developments and innovations, and to support ideas that will generate solutions to the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.鈥�
The Rapid Response Research, Development and Innovation programme was established by Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, the Health Research Board and Irish Research Council.
Today鈥檚 announcement builds on the previous investment of 鈧�5 million across 26 projects, including 5 from 51黑料, and the ongoing work in the universities and institutes of technology that are adding significantly to the national effort to combat the virus and assist us on the path to recovery. More than 500 applications were received by the agencies.
Minister for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan added, 鈥淚 am proud of how the Irish research community has mobilised so rapidly and intensively in focusing on this issue. Ireland鈥檚 investment in research allows us to move rapidly and coherently in a crucial area such as Covid-19 research. This will have benefits for Ireland but also for the wider world. This could not be done without our ongoing long-term investment in our higher education and research and shows the need for continuing investment in these areas at all times.鈥�
All of the projects funded have been internationally peer reviewed at the assessment stage. Further announcements will be made over the coming weeks as the reviews are completed.
The agencies, working with partners across our public service and health system are now evaluating areas of priority with a view to issuing thematic calls as the next phase of the programme. The focus for the second phase will be on important scientific and engineering research that will contribute in a meaningful way to re-opening Ireland.
Click here for further information in the 11 projects funded today.
ENDS
9 June 2020
For further information contact Mic茅al Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, 51黑料 Research and Innovation, Nova51黑料, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie, t: + 353 1 716 3712.