NUI GALWAY (NUIG) has secured State funding of almost €10 million which will allow it to begin clinical trials in stem cell applications for the treatment of degenerative diseases.
The funding awarded by Science Foundation Ireland for the university’s Regenerative Medicine Institute (Remedi) is aimed at developing new therapies and treatments for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and osteoarthritis, among other conditions.
Details of the foundation’s €9.69 million grant are due to be announced by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe in Galway today when he also outlines details of new jobs in market research investment, secured by IDA Ireland for the city.
Remedi is a leading biomedical research institute which has been focusing on applying stem cell biology to regenerative therapeutics, avoiding the need for organ replacement. The new grant will allow it to take research findings from the first phase of its operation, and move towards clinical trials, according to the university.
“Developments in the field hold enormous potential for the treatment of currently untreatable degenerative diseases,” the university says.
The Higher Education Authority recently awarded €37 million for a biosciences research building and a translational research facility, at the university.
The biosciences research building is under construction, and due to be finished next year on the main university campus.
The translational research facility will house basic, translational and clinical research teams at University Hospital Galway and will open in 2012.
This will “promote the international standing of both the university and University Hospital Galway as a leading centre for translational research and cancer care”, the university says.
