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issue FOUR SUMMER 2009
A Shared
Vision at RDC
Baby dragon finds its feet
Fergal McCaffery profiled
Super seaweed
Contents Foreword Enterprise 3
LINK
3 Targeting Fusing RDC to spearhead regional ICE project –
Issue 4
SME Jobs
talents enterprise project key facts
4 Credit Union
Fund for Startups
the link
Time was, researchers did
their thing and businesses
regional development centre
5 Out of the
Dragons' Den
A Shared
Vision at RDC
Times have changed. Today,
researchers know that if
Baby dragon finds its feet
Fergal McCaffery profiled
Super seaweed
6
such a way that it can make Northern Ireland and western Scotland. In total, 270 companies will attend 27
Focus on a big difference to people’s lives, then they will need to information sessions to be held The project will promote and
Applied Research work with commercial partners. Similarly, technology The project, called ICE (Innovation for between now and 2011 with 135 of encourage the development of
entrepreneurs understand that to have business acumen Competitive Enterprise), will see the these to undergo an innovation audit an innovation culture through a
is no longer enough to succeed; ideas and innovation are Regional Development Centre at DkIT to measure progress. dedicated in-house project-led
7 needed, too, and where better to find them than in a partnering with the University of Ulster, approach focusing on commercial
SMRC Bonds
third-level institute? University of Glasgow and Glasgow Irene McCausland, External Services rewards and supported by a
with Andor Caledonian and has been allocated €2.48 Manager, DkIT said ICE was a timely regional network (the Tri-regional
The benefits of business and research working together, million in funding by Interreg IVA, the and relevant initiative in the current Innovation Network).
8
and the supportive role played by the Regional cross-border co-operation programme economic climate. “Small and medium
Looking at the Big Development Centre (RDC), is the theme of this issue ’managed by the Special EU Programmes enterprises have tremendous potential The four main supports delivered by
of The Link. The RDC is Dundalk IT’s innovation support Body (SEUPB). to help lay the foundations for economic the Network are:
Research Picture
and technology transfer organisation. The fact that it is recovery and this is especially true A regional information resource
celebrating its 20th anniversary this year says much about Small and medium enterprises in the border region as well as in and network of SMEs for sharing
’
the RDC has incubated some 80 hi-tech startups and of entrepreneurship. Their business Access to regional panel of experts
economic recovery prospects will improve as they gain a Access to technology transfer and
supported 430 entrepreneurs through technology-
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training programmes. competitive edge by innovating across licensing opportunities
Turning Seaweed The initiative will concentrate on all their operations. Specialist SME innovation learning
into Energy At the same time, the Institute has continued to develop counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, programme coupled with in-
its research base through the creation of new research Monaghan and Sligo in the Republic, “The businesses that participate in company mentoring and assistance
groups, the recruitment of quality research professionals all of Northern Ireland, and western this programme over the next three with innovation planning and
11 and the supervision of the Institute’s first homegrown Scotland. years will be facilitated in introducing implementation
Africa's new or radically changed products and
PhDs. The past five years in particular have seen a massive
Fresh Water Challenge increase in research activity. And not just in scientific Focused on skills development in a services as well as internal processes and The key project targets include:
disciplines but also in areas of the humanities such as network across the three areas involved, changed business models. In addition, The creation of 90 new sustainable
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music and creative media where, under the visionary ICE will work with 90 companies in an we will work with them on opening new jobs/placements
Calling All leadership of Dr Eibhlís Farrell, the Music and Creative intensive innovation programme aimed market segments or niches,” she added. At least 15 technology transfer or
Business Brains Media Department is carving an international reputation at increasing turnover in participating licensing opportunities identified
for itself through the efforts of its large team of senior companies by at “The approach will be very and investigated
researchers. least 10 much one of ‘learning by A 10pc increase in turnover at
The Regional Development Centre (RDC) is a centre to promote per cent. doing’ and the role of participating companies
innovation, technology transfer and enterprise in the wider region and is
The coming months and years will see more and more It is also this Institute and our 270 SMEs attend information
based on the DkIT Campus.
research being conducted at DkIT, in all disciplines. At intended partners at partners at workshops for the duration of the
the RDC, we look forward to continuing to give our that University of Glasgow, project
researchers the help and support they need to reap the Glasgow Caledonian 135 SMEs undergo an innovation
reward their efforts deserve. and University of Ulster audit and feedback results
will be one of supporting 90 companies to participate in an
We hope that you enjoy this edition of The Link. If you companies to grow a own intensive innovation programme
have any comments or suggestions regarding content, or in-house skills and build an 50 new/modified products/
would like to be included on the mailing list, please email innovation culture. With day- services/ process or business models
developed for commercialisation
Issue 4
Great care has been taken to ensure that this information is accurate, engage in innovation but it is only For further information on Innovation for
but the Regional Development Centre, including its subsidiaries does not Competitive Enterprise (ICE), contact the
accept responsibility or liability for errors or information which is found
by innovating that they can hope to Regional Development Centre at Dundalk
to be misleading. survive and prosper." Institute of Technology on (042) 937 0413.
Written & edited by Brian Skelly, The Write Business, + 353 86 857-5829
2
Enterprise Enterprise 5
LINK
Student Tech startup follows its About
Issue 4
enterprise heart using its head Novation EPP
intern in China before resigning to co-found
the new venture.
The main objective of the Novation
Enterprise Platform Programme
most welcome and positive initiative by courses. The Regional Development Enterprise Platform Programme
called ‘Accelerating Campus Dundalk Credit Union – the first of its Centre in DkIT will administer the fund (NEPP), a programme of support Tel: (042) 9331161. Fax: (042) 9351412.
Entrepreneurship’ (ACE). It is a major kind in the country – should serve as a and significant interest is anticipated. Industrial designer Louet-Feisser set up for graduate entrepreneurs with an Email: garrett.duffy@dkit.ie.
cross-Institute programme to promote template for other organisations and the company in January this year along innovative hi-tech business idea (see
entrepreneurship among students Institutes to replicate.” with Ronan Woods, a product design panel). The RDC is currently Closing date for applications is Friday
The Dundalk Credit Union Student Innovation
LINK
and is led by Dundalk IT. The student engineer and fellow Carlingford promoting the scheme with the 11 September 2009.
Fund will open in September 2009. Applications
enterprise internship is a key element Billy Doyle, General Manager of Dundalk forms are available from Garrett Duffy native who worked with Irish electrical slogan, ‘Follow your heart using
of this programme. Credit Union, expressed his Board’s (garrett.duffy@dkit.ie) products manufacturer Glen Dimplex your head’
4
Applied Research 7
LINK
Getting research to market
Issue 4
Creating a space where research and enterprise can work together for the benefit of both is a
key part of the Regional Development Centre’s mission
Much has been written about the over 80 major research projects with Its research focuses on the cellular
massive national investment in R&D industrial partners. One such initiative mechanisms underlying physiological
through such vehicles as the PRTLI, is the Enterprise Ireland Research function and how this is modified in a
Science Foundation Ireland and the Voucher Scheme, which provides range of conditions including urinary
HEA. But this investment will be of companies with the opportunity to incontinence, erectile dysfunction,
limited value if the intellectual property engage in small research projects lymphoedema, arthritis and ureteric
created in the lab does not find its way with the third-level sector through obstruction.
into commercial products that improve a voucher system. The Institute is
quality of life and generate wealth, currently involved in seven research "The objective of the research is to
employment and the funds to sustain vouchers schemes with industry. find out how different smooth muscles
further research work. The Institute is also engaged in a behave in health and disease. That’s
number of Fusion projects. Funded our end game,"says Hollywood.
DkIT has long recognised the through InterTrade Ireland, companies
crucial role applied research plays from Northern Ireland partner The Centre has secured approximately
in creating sustained economic and with universities and Institutes €5 million in research funding since
social value. In recent years, through of Technology in the Republic of 2005 from competitive international
the research and developmental Ireland to hire a research assistant and national sources including NIH
endeavours of its academic staff, it to work on a technical project over (USA), Wellcome Trust (UK), Science
has developed a strong applied R&D a 12-month, 18-month or two-year Foundation Ireland, the Health
reputation in software development, period. The Institute is currently Research Board and Enterprise Ireland.
electronics and engineering design, involved in nine such projects. A The Centre has also produced over
applied humanities, cultural studies third initiative is Enterprise Ireland’s 190 publications in high impact peer-
and enterprise development and Innovation Partnership programme. reviewed journals and five of these
innovation, with growing strengths in Here, the Institute is involved in a have been with Andor Technology.
the fields of renewable energy, assistive major innovation partnership with the
technologies and digital media. National Centre for Freshwater Studies Its relationship with Andor began
and has just completed a project with about five years ago when Andor, a
Dr Mark Hollywood in the SMRC's electrophysiology labs
the School of Engineering. manufacturer of high-end scientific
Commercial centre cameras to the physical sciences the rate of imaging for the device to Five years on, and the SMRC has just as urinary incontinence or Hirschprung’s
and astronomy markets, invited the be really useful to the team. So began this month taken delivery of the latest Disease, a condition that causes bowel
Established in 1989, the Regional Smooth operators staff at the SMRC to evaluate the a remarkable, symbiotic development generation of confocal microscope from obstruction in infants, may be treated by
Development Centre is the Institute’s potential biological applications of partnership between Andor and the Andor. The Andor Revolution, which is targeting ion channels.
innovation support and technology In addition to the applied research a new camera it had developed. The SMRC which has lasted to this day. housed in labs newly converted from
transfer organisation. The Centre acts programmes co-ordinated by the RDC, academic staff at the SMRC jumped There are a number of aspects to the offices within the RDC, consists of a In the SMRC’s electrophysiology labs,
as a commercially oriented interface the various research teams within the at this opportunity because they partnership. One is that the SMRC tests motorised microscope attached to a researchers record ion channel activity and
between DkIT and the industrial, Centre have developed and nurtured realised that these sensors could be new equipment and provides feedback to confocal head, a bank of four lasers, a then in the adjacent Cellular Imaging Labs,
commercial and business life of the their own fruitful partnerships with utilised to offer an insight into how Andor – in effect becoming a beta testing number of scientific cameras and various they use Andor technology to create visual
region, and makes available the industry. One of the most successful cells maintained and modulated site for its latest technology. Another is couplers, plus associated software. The images of that activity. In time, Hollywood
expertise, facilities and resources of the is that between the Smooth Muscle intracellular ions such as calcium and that the SMRC uses Andor technology equipment is sufficiently powerful to allow is hopeful that through gaining a better
Institute for the wider benefit of the Research Centre (SMRC) and a fast- sodium. in its experiments and publishes papers the simultaneous imaging of up to four understanding of ion channel behaviour it
regional economy. growing Belfast-based technology firm supported by data obtained using this wavelengths of light. may be possible to develop drugs that can
called Andor Technology. “Imagine you had a piece of tissue equipment. Thirdly, the SMRC acts manage such conditions. And in his view,
The RDC has both on- and off-campus or a single cell and were able to take as a demonstration facility for Andor The equipment will be used to further Andor has played an invaluable role in the
incubation facilities to accommodate With 20 researchers including four an optical bacon slicer to it and take equipment, which means that potential SMRC’s research efforts into studying the research effort by supplying technology
new or start-up technology or principal investigators (PIs), seven very thin slivers – that’s what confocal Andor customers can come to the SMRC role of a variety of ions, such as Ca2+ that allows his researchers to gaze into
knowledge-based businesses in their PhD students and several postdocs, microscopy in essence allows you to and try out the equipment for themselves. within cells and how these are affected by cells and tissue and understand their inner
early developmental phases. Since the SMRC represents the largest do. You take a very thin optical slice Finally, using Andor technology the modulating ion channels. These channels workings.
Issue 4
its creation the RDC has incubated group of researchers investigating the through the tissue and this permits you SMRC offers a variety of services to are proteins, which act as molecular
80 knowledge-based businesses and control of smooth muscle function in to gaze inside the cells and find out pharmaceutical companies. switches to permit various ions such as “It’s been a fantastic journey with Andor;
supported over 430 entrepreneurs Ireland and the UK. The centre was what’s actually happening to them,” sodium, calcium and potassium to flow we’ve really enjoyed it,” he says.
through technology training initiatives. established in 2005 when Dr Mark Hollywood explains. “If a biopharma firm has a candidate in and out of cells. The influx and efflux
Hollywood, along with colleagues drug at the pre-clinical stage and they of the ions modulates the activity of the It is a journey that has proven not only that
LINK
The RDC also engages with industry Drs Noel McHale, Keith Thornbury The sensitivity of the Andor camera have don’t have the expertise to do these cells and therefore can influence their can academics work well with industrial
through a range of applied research and Gerard Sergeant were recruited was spectacular, Andor was told, but experiments, we can do it for them,” contractile state. One focus of the SMRC partners but that the partnership can have
initiatives and to date has undertaken from Queen’s University Belfast. the company would need to improve notes Hollywood. research is to examine if diseases such significant benefits for both sides..
6
Research 9
Code
Institute’s established research themes.
shark
postgraduate researchers to 100 by
2014, in addition to increasing the
number of Principal Investigators and
Postdoctoral Fellows across the Institute.
These strategic research targets will
require an annual research income of
€10-12 million, a target that is already Dr Fergal McCaffery joined
being reached.
DkIT in February 2008 as an
SFI-funded Stokes Lecturer
A better experience within the Department of
Computing & Maths and
We strongly believe in enhancing
the learning experience of our a researcher within the
postgraduate PhD research students. Software Technology Research
We have therefore begun the rollout Centre (STORC)
of structured PhDs in priority research
areas. This will ensure that not only will When interviewed for The Link, Dr in a manufacturing capacity – would
the Institute produce the well motivated Fergal McCaffery had just come back also be prepared to make Ireland their
a question of priorities
destination for undergraduate students in Helsinki. Who said researchers’ lives and his colleagues will, therefore, act
wishing to pursue a research career. aren’t glamorous and exciting? as a crucial bridge between two major
industries in Ireland – medical devices
The principal mechanisms that will drive Well, probably McCaffery himself for and software development.
the development of structured PhD one. The quietly spoken Co Armagh
The Institute’s strategy of the Smooth Muscle Research Centre, success, too, in attracting considerable
programmes include leveraging the native is much more concerned about In addition to this work, McCaffery
is profiled on the previous page. The funding from sources outside the State,
focusing research efforts expertise available through the Research furthering his research interests than is heavily involved in STORC, whose
other five are Netwell (Social Networks, such as the Wellcome Trust, the European
on a small number of key Environments and Technologies for Union Framework Programmes and the
Alliance within the IOT sector, which is he is living a jet-set lifestyle. Those research work is focused on two main
areas where there is critical funded through the Strategic Innovation interests centre on software process areas: software process improvement
Wellness and Ageing-in-place); the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the
Fund, and the Institute’s existing improvement for medical devices. and software spreadsheet engineering.
mass, sustainability and National Freshwater Research Centre; US, is also worth noting.
strategic partnerships with universities. He heads up an international project STORC’s five-person team comprises
relevant expertise has been the Centre for Renewable Energy; the
In addition, the Institute is preparing to called MediSpice, which is working director Dr Gerry Coleman, Dr Kevin
Software Technology Research Centre;
an unequivocal success, writes roll out, in September 2009, a series of to develop an international software McDaid, Ronan McRuairi and Frank
and the Centre for Entrepreneurship
Dr Tim McCormac, Head of generic skills training modules for all improvement assessment standard for Keenan as well as McCaffery himself.
Research (CER). The Institute has also
Research Funding €M
their part in creating the smart economy software of a more consistently high Nortel Networks in Belfast.
a result, the Institute has established a the latter agency, primarily through the of the Institute’s research centres and that is needed to set the country on quality and more quickly than they
strong reputation in several research areas, Commercialisation Fund, represents groups, and their immediate impact a course of sustainable growth and can at present. He argues that if can Outside of work, he has been just as
including ageing and health, energy and nearly one-quarter of the total research on its research activities. At present, prosperity. Ireland can demonstrate that it has busy. Married to Caitlin, he has five
the environment, software engineering, funding secured in the past five years, approximately half of all research
expertise in the development of high- children under ten years of age. So,
LINK
music and entrepreneurship. thus highlighting our researchers’ ability postgraduate students work within the
For more information on the Institute's research quality medical device software, then whether at work or at home, there’s
The research activity is spearheaded to secure funding for technology transfer six research centres, with close to 90%
activities please contact Dr Tim McCormac global medical device firms – many of hardly a dull moment for this high
by six research centres, one of which, activities as well as actual research. Their involved in research consistent with the
researchoffice@dkit.ie which are already present in Ireland achiever.
8
Dr Caroline Gilleran, Lecturer, DKIT
and Dr Paul MacArtain, Credit
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LINK
west coast of Ireland. Seaweeds can grow
quite fast and you can get a lot of biomass
Issue 4
out of them. The aim of our research is
first of all characterising what’s in them
and, secondly, investigating their potential
for energy use. This will involve fermenting
them for biogas and experimenting with
bioethanol production from seaweed.”
The latter will be done using the biofuel-
testing laboratory at DkIT.
energy
The €6 million BioMara research project heading up a major research project looking at ways in which water quality can be permanently
was launched in April and is expected to
improved throughout the continent of Africa
last four years. It has received €4.9 million
from the EU’s Interreg IVA programme,
with additional funding coming from Last year a consortium led by DkIT and The project is extremely broad in its provides a lead supervisor in Ireland.
Highlands & Islands Enterprise, the Crown including NUIM, DCU, TCD, DIT, RCSI, scope. Research being undertaken There is also a co-supervisor based in
Estate, Northern Ireland Executive and the UCD and QUB secured €1.5 million in ranges from technical aspects of Makerere University who oversees
Using seaweed to power your car may seem far-fetched but funding under the Irish Aid and HEA water management, such as water the fieldwork of the researchers. It
Irish Government. DkIT’s research partners
DkIT researchers are involved in a project which is exploring on BioMara are Sams, the University of Programme for Strategic Co-operation sourcing, pump design, rainwater is envisaged that most of these will
this and other possibilities for the humble marine plant. Strathclyde, Queen’s University Belfast, the between Irish Aid and Higher harvesting and solar disinfection of be African but there will be some
University of Ulster and the Institute of Education and Research Institutes water, to the social impact of water – Irish researchers working there as
DkIT’s Centre for Renewable Energy BioMara is being led by the Scottish Technology, Sligo. (2007-2011) for a project called the effect clean water provision has well. All of them will be qualified to
(Credit) is one of the six academic partners Association for Marine Science (Sams), ‘Water is life’. on women and children for example honours degree or masters level in an
involved in Sustainable Fuels from Marine an independent marine research institute The four-person research team at DkIT will – and participation in the governance appropriate discipline such as geology,
Biomass (BioMara), a new UK and Irish whose particular expertise is in microalgae. include two PhDs and two postgraduate According to Dr Suzanne Linnane, of local water supplies. “It’s very mechanical engineering or social
joint project that aims to demonstrate the Credit’s focus, on the other hand, is on researchers, along with a cross-border Director of the National Centre broad but at the centre of it all is studies.
feasibility of producing third-generation macroalgae (seaweed). education officer whose job will be to for Freshwater Studies at DkIT, the the village pump. Everything just
Seaweed photograph courtesy of Sams
biofuels from marine biomass. produce educational material for schools, project is about building research ripples out from there to the wider In addition to ‘Water for Life’, the
“They grow relatively quickly, depending communities and businesses to make them capacity in sustainable water resource community,” she says. National Centre for Freshwater Studies
Issue 4
“The focus of the project is to harness what part of the world you’re in, and more aware of the bioenergy area and the management in Ireland and Africa. is also involved in a number of other
bioenergy available from the marine they’ve been exploited for food use since opportunities afforded by it. She says that water resource major projects including the National
environment,” explains Dr Paul MacArtain, the second world war,” says MacArtain, management is seen as the The Irish research partners are Source Protection pilot project, whose
Research Manager at Credit. “The who adds that Ireland, particularly its More information: paul.macartain@dkit.ie “catalyst for future sustainable working with Makerere University focus is rural water provision; an EPA-
two major areas we’re looking at are craggy west coast, is extremely rich in the social development and in Uganda and a number of NGOs funded project on waste management;
LINK
macroalgae – otherwise known as marine plant. economic growth” in Africa and on the ground in that country, and the National Onsite Waste Water
seaweed – and microalgae, which are other underdeveloped and including the Medical Missionaries of Treatment Systems study, of which it is
micro-plants.” “There is a lot of seaweed around the developing regions. Mary. Each of the partner institutes project leader.
10
RDC News
Calling all
enterprising
graduates
As part of a wider response to the
economic downturn, Dundalk
Institute of Technology (DkIT) is
encouraging enterprising graduates
with professional experience to
return to the campus to develop
their business ideas.
Pictured launching the President’s Enterprise Development Programme for Alumni, were,
The President’s Enterprise
from left: Aidan Devenney, Programme Mentor; Garrett Duffy, Enterprise Development;
Development Programme for Alumni
Denis Cummins, President; and Sean MacEntee, Incubation Centre Manager (all DkIT)
is likely to be of particular interest
to Institute graduates keen to
develop their own businesses having or more, any surplus places will be The Institute has also introduced a
experienced changed circumstances allocated to those planning to locate taster programme in business for
arising from the ongoing recession. their new enterprise in the northeast those currently out of work while a
The programme will offer participants region. new year-long graduate diploma is
three months of free business training allowing those with a Level-8
and mentoring from July to September It is also envisaged that several primary degree to gain a
and they will also have free access to participants from the programme will postgraduate qualification in
shared office space and funding to go on to join the nine-month Novation information and communications
develop their business concept. Enterprise Platform Programme technology. Also on offer is a Higher
commencing in October. Novation Diploma (HDip) in Small Enterprise
While priority will be given to EPP has helped foster over 60 new Support, which will be available on a
applicants who have graduated from businesses employing more than 300 part-time basis for the first time from
the Institute and worked for five years people over the last eight years. September.
Creative Media. into Luke Donnellan’s Dance Music Foras Feasa (Irish for ‘foundation of
of Oriel. knowledge’) is otherwise known as the
The conference theme was ‘Humanities: Institute for Research in Irish Historical
Challenging the Future’, a premise The strong emphasis on research and Cultural Traditions. Based in NUI
that reflects the growing impact of was not a coincidence. Since it was Maynooth and comprising staff from
digitisation on the arts and humanities. established in 2004, the Department humanities and computer science
Keynote speaker and guest of honour of Music and Creative Media has made departments in four institutions –
[t] 042 9327943
Issue 4
Dr Christopher Cahill, Executive research a core activity, according to DCU, DkIT, NUI Maynooth and St
Director of the American Irish Historical departmental head Eibhlís Farrell. Patrick’s College Drumcondra – it
Society (AIHS), New York City, stressed supports individual and collaborative
the ongoing importance of the arts “It’s important for students to know research projects in the areas of
and humanities and of preserving that you’re not just teaching in humanities and technology. It received
element design
LINK
cultural legacies, particularly in tough a vacuum: you’re part of a wider funding of €5.8 million in 2006 under
economic times when the arts can be research community and contributing the Government’s PRTLI Cycle 4
marginalised and starved of funding. something to your art-form.” programme.
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