Node 1 - Tallaght Site
This site already encompasses rich expertise in preventative medicine, biostatistics, epidemiology, risk assessment and biomarker development. The strategic plan now sees regeneration of an integrated strategy uniting all the disciplines and creating real critical mass in the area which will unite with the overall streams of the TCD research strategy.
The proposed strategy sees the creation of a powerful core of bioformatics and biostatistics at the Tallaght site, linking directly with discovery science and with the translational medicine nodes. It also sees the development of genetic epidemiology as a crucial element of strategy with the expanding catchment area and the requirement for the capture of detailed data on this population. This research strategy also sees the critical importance of development of research links with the IT Tallaght and with the generation of international research links in these key areas such that this node could form an integrated node in many international networks of bioinformatics.
Should the Coombe Women's Hospital move to Tallaght, it is clear that there will be direct synergies at a research level in terms of epidemiology, genetic epidemiology and bio-marker discovery with the capacity to enhance very strongly the critical mass in these areas of research if appropriate integration takes place.
The presence of paediatrics on-site provides unique opportunities for cradle-to-grave population studies based around informatics, biostatistics and genetic epidemiology in areas of strength such as cardiac risk factor assessment, endocrine and metabolic diseases and cancer prevention. Such long term studies could capitalise on existing expertise in high-end computing at TCD.
The research at this site will encompass considerable interactions with research performed at TCIN within the Trinity structures and with information technology on the main campus at TCD. Within this research strategy this node should aim to be a leading international centre of critical mass within this very important bio-discipline. The potential for participation in industry-led research is enormous given the importance of detailed population data at an international level at this point in time. Biomarker discovery is a specific strength within the Discipline of Psychiatry with considerable links with neuro-imaging. The development of this research strategy will require capital development for the creation of the Institute of Population Health. This development will now proceed following Board approval in 2012.
It is highly critical within this strategy that strong links are built with IT Tallaght and these links should be established at a senior level in order to maximise the capacity for both institutions to develop to the highest level.
It is anticipated that the development of new clinical strategies at the AMNCH site will require the development of new research strategies. The development of bioengineering capacity at this site alone or in combination with IT Tallaght is a critical requirement going forward and it may well be important that there is a material science capability at this node.
A number of crucial appointments are anticipated within our new strategic plan going forward to support research within this node. Of note is the recent appointment of a Professor of Population Health and Professor of Nephrology to Tallaght.
Node 2 - Translational Medicine at the St. James's Hospital Site
