A new US-Ireland research initiative launched yesterday could deliver major advances in the treatment of diabetes, cystic fibrosis and respiratory infections.
Unveiling the new US-Ireland Research and Development Partnership, the US ambassador to Ireland, James Kenny, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin, and Aideen McGinley, permanent secretary at the Department of Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland, called on researchers in the three jurisdictions to submit collaborative proposals for research.
The proposals will go through an international competitive peer review process and compete for government funding.
The partnership says it will seek to encourage and support the best and brightest researchers on the island of Ireland and the US and aims to bring innovations to the marketplace, resulting in major health and economic benefits.
Speaking at the Dublin launch, Mr Kenny said: "This is an exciting opportunity and one that will ultimately benefit all. The first steps will be the personal scientific exchanges of researchers on each side of the Atlantic." He said hopefully the collaboration would yield proposals that could compete for funding, including money from the US.
"With funding these research efforts have the potential to produce improved therapies for those suffering from the effects of diabetes, cystic fibrosis and respiratory infections and to yield exciting new applications in nano and sensor technologies," he added. - (PA)