Since the inception of PRTLI in 1998, over €865 million has been allocated to provide state-of-the-art research infrastructure in the State’s higher education sector including research facilities, centres for innovation and world-class research libraries. It has also provided funding for over 1000 researchers and 2000 postgraduate students covering every academic discipline. “The physical footprint of the PRTLI is visible in every university, institute of technology and other higher education institutions” (Page vii).

The book profiles a sample of projects funded under PRTLI which demonstrate how this investment in higher education research has impacted positively on the daily lives of people in Ireland, for example, by helping us to get around faster, live longer and more fully, plan more effectively and understand our environment.
A unique feature of the PRTLI model has been to promote and foster a culture of cooperation and collaboration within and between academic institutions. By identifying and building on the existing strengths of each institution together with support from the private sector, Ireland as a nation can work towards its goal to become an international centre of excellence for research and innovation.

The final chapter of the book, which is entitled “Future”, focuses on the leading role played by Molecular Medicine Ireland in developing a collaborative research environment for biomedical research. As a beneficiary of PRTLI funding, MMI aims to identify and support collaborative research projects among its five partner institutions, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, NUI Galway and University College Cork. “The partner institutions each have strengths which contribute to a strong national profile in molecular medicine” (Page 180).

PRTLI funding has also enabled MMI to take the lead in the training of the next generation of Clinician Scientists thus ensuring the future of clinical research in Ireland which is dependent on highly trained medical experts. To quote MMI’s CEO, Dr Ruth Barrington: “We aim to ensure that Ireland has highly trained leaders in academic medical research who will keep us at the cutting edge of medical research particularly in those areas that we have particular strength. This includes areas such as immunology and infection, neuroscience, vascular biology, aspects of cancer, and food and nutrition” (Page 181).
Further information on “Transformations - How Research is changing Ireland”, including details on how to obtain a copy of this publication, is available at www.hea.ie