In this issue:

Welcome to Issue 2 - May 2009
MMI Clinician Scientist Fellowships awarded in UCC
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Applications in Research Workshop - MMI invites expressions of interest
New Report published by ICRIN: Clinical Research - Irish Situation Analysis
ICRIN with the State Claims Agency host Clinical Research Insurance and Indemnity Workshop
Second in series of ICRIN GCP courses held in April
MMI Workshop: Biostatistics
MMI mapping Research Technology Platforms
GeneLibrary Ireland Stakeholder Seminar
Collaborative Clinical Research Underway at the Dublin Centre for Clinical Research
News In Brief
Upcoming Events

Welcome to Issue 2 - May 2009

Building a sustainable national system to coordinate, support and promote translational and clinical research

Damian O'Connell, Chair of Molecular Medicine Ireland Clinicians know that carefully designed clinical trials provide the best way to assess the effectiveness and safety of clinical therapies and devices; basic scientists are well aware that these trials often allow access to precious clinical material for basic investigation and translational research; and participants acknowledge that clinical trials provide access to new therapies and procedures and the possibility of better outcomes. Yet, despite a general consensus of the value of clinical trials and translational research, implementation of such work remains hindered by at least 3 challenges: suboptimal patient participation, suboptimal training, and physician reluctance to engage in research or refer patients. These represent formidable challenges and going forward our MMI mission aims to address these challenges. Our plans are to mobilise the strengths of the five partner institutions and their associated hospitals to build a sustainable national system to coordinate, support and promote translational and clinical research. This will be achieved by

connecting the key players in health, research and industry
attracting, training and retaining world-class researchers
working to provide state-of-the-art facilities, bio-resources and harmonised processes
representing Ireland in clinical and translational research infrastructures/networks in Europe and internationally, and
building collaborative research initiatives and opportunities.

In the meantime, clinicians, researchers, and trainees should join in efforts designed to educate practitioners and potential participants about the benefits of clinical trials and about their impact on our ability to deliver care, but mostly, about how these programmes enhance our healthcare environment. Basic scientists should engage in collaborations with others involved in clinical research not just because of access to clinical material, but because of the unique perspective they bring to the research team. Students, SHO’s, and Registrars should demand training in clinical trial design and implementation in translational research to develop the next generation of clinician investigators and/or translational researchers. Ultimately, the Irish healthcare community as a whole should expect that medical and scientific communities work together with patients to foster clinical investigation.

Damian O'Connell MD BSc PhD
Chair of Molecular Medicine Ireland

Damian O'Connell is Executive Director, Clinical Research Group Head, Pfizer Clinical R&D; Sandwich, Kent, UK and was appointed Chair of Molecular Medicine Ireland in December 2008.

MMI Clinician Scientist Fellowships awarded in UCC

Three Clinician Scientist Fellowships have been awarded following the second call for the prestigious programme in September 2008. The fellowships, hosted by University College Cork, were awarded following a rigorous selection process led by Molecular Medicine Ireland.

Funding of €10m awarded by the Higher Education Authority allowed Molecular Medicine Ireland to put this fellowship programme in place to train medical graduates as clinician scientists. Each Fellow undertakes a PhD in one of the five member institutions and also participates in a shared national structured training programme, organised by MMI. The 19 Fellows appointed following the first call began the programme in July 2008. This training programme transcends institutional boundaries to give fellows unparalleled access to the top biomedical researchers in the country and to state-of-the-art basic and clinical research facilities.

Dr Damian O'Connell, Chair of MMI; Dr Ruth Barrington, CEO of MMI; Dr Michael Murphy, President of UCC; Dr Daniel Schimdt, MMI Clinician Scientist Fellow; Dr Deirdre Murray, UCC; Dr Liam Fanning, UCC

The Chair of Molecular Medicine Ireland (MMI), Dr Damian O'Connell and the CEO of MMI, Dr Ruth Barrington visited the President of UCC, Dr Michael Murphy, on 29 January and also met with one of the UCC Clinician Scientist Fellows, Dr Daniel Schmidt, and CSFP supervisors Dr Liam Fanning, Dr Deirdre Murray and Dr Geraldine Boylan.

Pictured from L to R: Dr Damian O'Connell, Chair of MMI; Dr Ruth Barrington, CEO of MMI; Dr Michael Murphy, President of UCC; Dr Daniel Schimdt, MMI Clinician Scientist Fellow; Dr Deirdre Murray, UCC; Dr Liam Fanning, UCC

The successful Fellows appointed following the second call and their research projects are as follows:

Dr Fergus McCarthy - The role of PPAR-γ in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia
Dr Daniel Schmidt - Do the dynamics of quasispecies complexity and IP-10 concentration in chronic hepatitis C provide an opportunity to individualise treatment strategies?
Dr Brian Walsh - The investigation and validation of predictive biomarkers in hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy

For details of all 22 MMI Fellows, their supervisors and research projects please see www.molecularmedicineireland.ie/page/g/t/12.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Applications in Research Workshop - MMI invites expressions of interest

Date: September 2009 (Half-day duration)
Venue: St James's Hospital, James's Street, Dublin 8

A Molecular Medicine Ireland (MMI) / Centre for Advanced Medical Imaging (CAMI) workshop

The purpose of this workshop is to describe the potential of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as a research tool in basic and clinical research. MRI allows high resolution imaging of structures and functions in the body without the use of ionising radiation. The high acceptability and low risk of MRI make it very suitable for imaging patient and volunteer cohorts in research studies. Applications include tumour imaging, investigation of cardiovascular function and imaging of neural activity. MRI techniques can follow a concept from an animal model right through to human clinical applications.

The opening of the HRB funded Centre for Advanced Medical Imaging (CAMI) at St. James’s Hospital has made available a hospital based, state of the art human MRI system dedicated purely to research studies. This workshop is designed to help delegates establish how MRI could assist in their current or future research studies.

For more information and to express your interest in this workshop, please click here

New Report published by ICRIN: Clinical Research - Irish Situation Analysis

ICRIN is pleased to announce the publication of Clinical Research - Irish Situation Analysis compiled by Margaret Cooney, former ICRIN Coordinator.

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the requirements for undertaking clinical research in Ireland. It describes the legal and regulatory environment and outlines the day to day operational aspects of clinical research management, including ethics committee approval, safety reporting, data management and quality requirements. It concludes with a summary of the educational opportunities and career paths available in clinical research. The report covers clinical research involving pharmaceutical products, medical devices and nutriceuticals as well as observational and epidemiological studies.

‘This is the first report of its kind in Ireland and will be an invaluable resource for those undertaking clinical research as well as those who are working to build Ireland’s profile in clinical research’, commented Dr Ruth Barrington, CEO of Molecular Medicine Ireland.

Download a copy of Clinical Research - Irish Situation Analysis (PDF)

ICRIN with the State Claims Agency host Clinical Research Insurance and Indemnity Workshop

The much anticipated ICRIN/State Claims Agency Clinical Research Insurance and Indemnity seminar was held at the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland on Thursday, 23 April 2009. Participants at the workshop represented a broad spectrum of organisations including the All Ireland Cooperative Oncology Research Group (ICORG), the Irish Medicines Board (IMB), HRB, Irish Platform for Patients’ Organisations, Science and Industry (IPPOSI), RSCI, UCC and NUIG. Also in attendance at the workshop were representatives from industry and a number of hospitals including Mater, St. James’s, St. Vincent’s, The Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin Incorporating the National Children's Hospital (AMNCH) and Our Lady's Hospital Crumlin.
ICRIN/SCA Clinical Research Insurance and Indemnity Seminar 23 April 2009
Presentations by Mr Ciaran Breen, Director, State Claims Agency and Mr Kieran Ryan, Surgical R&D Manager, RCSI, outlined and discussed the current issues surrounding the Clinical Indemnity Scheme and clarified issues surrounding clinical research insurance and indemnity. The seminar was chaired by Professor Larry Egan, Director, Clinical Research Facility, NUI Galway.

The workshop was a huge success and it is anticipated that it will lead to greater understanding in the local community and will add impetus to the progression of clinical research in Ireland.

The workshop was also the occasion for the launch of Clinical Research - Irish Situation Analysis, a report compiled by Margaret Cooney, former ICRIN Coordinator.

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the requirements for undertaking clinical research in Ireland. For more information and to download a copy of the report please visit www.molecularmedicineireland.ie/show/item/1/1266

For more details and schedule for the Clinical Research Insurance and Indemnity workshop please visit www.molecularmedicineireland.ie/education/course_info/1/144/1

Second in series of ICRIN GCP courses held in April

The second ICRIN GCP course of 2009 was held at the UCD Catherine McAuley Education and Research centre at the Mater hospital on Wednesday 29 April 2009.

Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training is required by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) for all those involved in carrying out clinical trials. This is a one day course designed to fulfill this requirement and is the second in a number of ICRIN GCP courses which will be held across the country in 2009.

The course on 29 April was attended by a variety of individuals from industry and academia, coming from many different therapeutic backgrounds. Input from participants contributed to information sharing and much lively discussion was generated. The ICRIN GCP course has been highly successful and very well received in the local community, with both courses fully subscribed weeks before the closing date for applications.

The next course will be held at St. Vincent’s University Hospital on Thursday, 30 July 2009. For more information and to apply for the course please visit
www.molecularmedicineireland.ie/education/courses

MMI Workshop: Biostatistics

Workshop poster
Title: Workshop in Biostatistics

Date(s): 6-10 July; 0930-1300 each day

Main Venue:
McKenna Computer Suite, Room 104, Ground Floor, Áras Uí Chathail, NUI Galway, Galway

Fee: Academic rate 200 Euros and non-academic rate 500 Euros

Online Application Period: 6 May – 26 June 2009
Download workshop poster here

A Molecular Medicine Ireland / HRB Clinical Research Facility Galway Workshop

The aim of the workshop is to provide participants with an overview of fundamental biostatistical methods, an understanding of the key concept of variability and a practical working knowledge of the statistical techniques they are likely to encounter in applied medical research.
The workshop takes place over 5 mornings in NUI Galway.

Please go to http://www.molecularmedicineireland.ie/education/courses for more details and to apply
For those travelling, details of possible accomodation are also available on this page

Attendees of the Biostatistics workshop will be eligible to attend additional lectures and workshops covering Biomedical Research Skills. These takes place each afternoon (2pm – 5pm) and the topics include: scientific techniques (e.g. FACs, Real-time PCR, Microarray, Immunohistochemistry), Advanced Imaging, Technology Transfer, Bibliometrics ("Finding the Needle in the e-Stack"), Grant Writing and the Paper Review Process.

Should you have any further queries, please feel free to contact us at education@molecularmedicineireland.ie

MMI mapping Research Technology Platforms

MMI is in the process of mapping the technology platforms and associated expertise available across our partner institutions and proposes to develop a portal on the MMI website which will provide a central location to promote and showcase these technology platforms.

If you would like your technology platform included in MMI's mapping exercise please contact Jan Guerin, Programme Manager Research at jan.guerin@molecularmedicineireland.ie

GeneLibrary Ireland Stakeholder Seminar

Molecular Medicine Ireland was delighted to host a Stakeholder Seminar entitled "GeneLibrary Ireland - building an all-island biobanking framework through collaboration" on May 6th at The Old Physics Theatre, Newman House. This seminar was organised to provide an overview of the vision for GeneLibrary Ireland and to promote the benefits of a structured framework for harmonised biobanking to support clinical and translational research studies on the island of Ireland.

Invited speakers included Professors Louise Kenny and Michael Gill who highlighted the contribution of standardised biobanking and population based control samples to their own research with a particular emphasis on pregnancy (SCOPE Ireland) and neurodevelopment disorders (Autism and Schizrophenia), respectively. Professor Martin Yuille from the University of Manchester, UK presented a comprehensive overview of the developments in biobanking internationally and their contribution to the research landscape. In addition Professor Yuille highlighted the importance for Ireland to participate in the establishment of a pan-European biobanking network being developed by BBMRI.

To end the seminar Maeve O Brien from the Department of Health and Children presented an outline of the principles of the proposed Human Tissue Bill and the implications for research involving human tissue donated from living donors.

We are delighted to note the significant interest in this stakeholder seminar which was attended by a broad spectrum of stakeholders from academia, industry, patient and industry groups, healthcare professionals and funding agencies.

To download a copy of the GeneLibrary Ireland - an all island biomedical research infrastructure Design Phase report please click here

Collaborative Clinical Research Underway at the Dublin Centre for Clinical Research

DCCR initiated studies are now underway across Dublin city in the areas of Diabetes and Coeliac Disease. The Diabetes and Metabolism Group is participating in an eight-country European funded study into the care provided to Type 2 Diabetes patients. The study involves surveying 1000 Type 2 Diabetes patients in Ireland. The plan is to survey approximately 300 in hospital based Diabetes clinics and 700 in primary care settings. To date, patients have already been recruited into this study in Beaumont, St. James’s and Tallaght Hospitals and will be underway soon following Research Ethics Approval at the Mater, St. Vincent’s and James Connolly Hospitals.

A collection of blood samples from patients diagnosed with Coeliac Disease is also underway across the city. Samples have been collected at Mater, St. Vincent’s and St. James’s Hospital and further collections at Beaumont and at University College Hospital, Galway will be underway shortly. This will facilitate further studies into genetic factors associated with Coeliac Disease.

For further information, please contact:
Jeremy Towns,
Programme Manager, Dublin Centre for Clinical Research,
M: +353 87 281 8707,
jeremy.towns@molecularmedicineireland.ie

News in Brief

MMI with QUB and UU submit report on design phase of GeneLibrary Ireland

GeneLibrary Ireland – an all-island resource in the search for genes associated with common diseases and new treatments.

Molecular Medicine Ireland, in association with Queens University Belfast and the University of Ulster and with Dr Peter Doran as principal applicant, is pleased to announce the submission of the report of… More »

MMI CSFP Annual Meeting to be held on 11 July 2009

The first Annual Meeting of MMI Clinician Scientist Fellows and their supervisors will take place on Saturday, 11 July 2009 in NUI Galway. The Keynote Lecture will be delivered by Professor Sherine Gabriel (William J. and Charles H. Mayo Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, Mayo Clinic, MN, US). 22 Clinician Scientist Fellows are currently on this programme, the objective… More »

New Appointment to ICRIN

ICRIN is pleased to announce the appointment of Fionnuala Gibbons as Clinical Trial Liaison Officer, with responsibility for the development of clinical research process knowledge and awareness among indigenous and multi-national pharmaceutical, medical device, nutriceutical, food and biotechnology companies. Fionnuala brings to the position a wealth of experience in… More »

Seminar to discuss Common Ethics Application Form for Investigator Led multisite Studies

MMI is convening a seminar on 5th June to examine how a common ethics application form could streamline academic clinical research activities. For academic and investigator led research studies that do not involve medicinal products covered by SI 190, the conduct of multi-site clinical research requires that a separate application is made to the ethics… More »

Report of the Expert Group on a National Cancer Biobank

On Thursday 14th May, Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney TD, launched the Report of the Expert Group on a National Cancer Biobank which recommends the establishment of an Irish national cancer biobank. The Report sets out the Expert Group’s vision of a working national cancer biobank and is informed by the views of stakeholders, as… More »

First MMI Clinician Scientist Fellowship Programme Annual Meeting held at NUI Galway

The first MMI Clinician Scientist Fellowship Programme (CSFP) Annual Meeting took place on Saturday 11 July 2009 at NUI Galway.

The objective of the CSFP is to train the next generation of clinician scientists with the unique and specialised knowledge essential to fulfil Ireland’s research needs in translational medicine. The CSFP… More »

Issue 2 - May 2009

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