Molecular Medicine IrelandSupporting Biomedical Research through
Network Development
Dr Suzanne Bracken, Programme Officer Translational Research
Overview
•
•
•
Outline of Molecular Medicine Ireland (MMI)
MMI Network
N t
k branches:
b
h
– Education & Training
– ICRIN/ ECRIN
– Disease Networks e.g. Biomarker Network
– Biobanking
– Technology Platform Web-portal
Conclusions
Molecular Medicine Ireland (MMI)
Vision - improved healthcare through the development of
diagnostics and therapies from concept to realisation
The mission of MMI is 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
Why MMI?
Ireland – a small
island in global
world
• Critical
C iti l mass off excellence
ll
• Clinical research infrastructure
Structure of MMI
MMI
Translational
research
Technologies
Biocollections
Knowledge
Education &
Training
Clinical observations
Clinical
research
MMI Network
Education & Training
• Short Courses & Workshops in Clinical and Translational Research:
e g MMI/Pfizer course: Molecules to Medicines
e.g.
• MMI
PhD Training Programmes in Clinical & Translational Research
- 22 medical graduates undertaking PhD studies in 5 academic institutions as MMI
Clinician Scientist Fellows (funded through PRTLI Cycle 4).
- 20 science graduates to undertake PhD studies as MMI Clinical & Translational
Research Scholars with industry involvement (funded through PRTLI Cycle 5).
Irish Clinical Research Infrastructure Network
(ICRIN)
•Ireland as a countryy of choice for scientificallyy relevant multi-centre clinical studies
and trials in specialist fields where partners are strong.
•Requires a national,
national distributed clinical research infrastructure
•ICRIN formed as business unit of MMI in 2006.
Research Functions
Europe as Single Area for Clinical Research
Pan-European, distributed infrastructure providing coordinated services to
multinational clinical research in Europe:
• Access to p
patients and expertise
p
throughout Europe
-despite the fragmentation
of health and
legislative systems
•Support to investigators
and sponsors in
multinational studies
Finland
Finn-Medi
UK
NIHRCRN
Ireland
ICRIN
Sweden
SweCRIN
Denmark
DCRIN
EORTC
Germany
KKSN
France
Inserm
Spain
CAIBER
Poland
POLCRIN
Switzerland
SCTO
Austria
ATCRIN
Italy
ISS
Hungary
HECRIN
Irish Biomarker Network
•
MMI was approached by Principal Investigators from their
partner institutions to facilitate a biomarker network
•
Aim of the network: to connect scientists and clinicians
interested in biomarker research to share expertise in discovery,
translation and commercialisation of biomarkers across disease
areas.
•
The Network was launched
at a workshop in Dublin
on 4 November 2010:
FDA, IMB, academics and
industry were present.
Irish Biomarker Network
Common requirements
q
of researchers arose at workshop:
p
– appropriate study design & statistics
– high-quality, phenotyped clinical samples obtained using SOPs
– appropriate patient cohorts which are adequately powered
– quality control and quality assurance
– future-proofing and harmonisation
– advice on IP protection & commercialisation routes
MMI Network:
Bi b ki
Biobanking
•
National Biobanking Initiative → National approach for biobanking
– Link
Li k existing
i ti biobanks
bi b k
– Structured & harmonised high quality samples and data
– Sustainable
•
EU Network: BBMRI - Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources
Research Infrastructure
– Preparatory phase funded by European Framework FP7
– To develop a pan-European biobanking network of all biobank
sample types
– MMI is scientific partner for Ireland with BBMRI
MMI Blueprint for National Biobanking Model
– GeneLibrary Ireland Design Phase Report
– Governance and management structure
– Ethical/ legal issues e.g. ownership of tissue
– Access to samples and/or data
– MMI Guidelines for Standardised Biobanking
– To ensure consistent sample
p q
quality
y and harmonisation across the
different clinical research centres
– Internationally peer reviewed
– ISBER Biopreservation and Biobanking Journal 2010 8;1: 3
3-63
63
www.liebertonline.com/toc/bio/8/1
– Adopted by BBMRI
MMI Technology Platform Web-Portal
•
Centralised Web-Portal to showcase and promote Technology
Platforms and associated expertise that support clinical and
translational research in molecular medicine in academic
institutions across Ireland
•
Methodology:
– Questionnaire for details of TP
– Identification of TPs across partner institutions: websites,
word of mouth, etc.
– Initiated site visits to get an overview of technology and the
issues and discuss information to be captured
MMI Technology Platform Web-Portal
http://www.molecularmedicineireland.ie/tp_web_portal
SFI/MMI Technology Platform Workshop
Some of the key points raised as part of this session include:
• Sustainability of technology platforms – funding based on international models
• Inclusion of direct access costs to infrastructure in programme grants
• Encourage industry to engage with the technologies & associated expertise
• Opportunities to trade equipment across universities
• Effectiveness of national technology platforms should be evaluated
• Identify key national research infrastructures/platforms, on a similar basis as in
other European countries, and for agencies to fund them as national resources in
the way for example that the Tyndall National Institute is funded.
• The Wellcome Trust more likely to fund a piece of equipment in institution if is
integrated as part of Core Facility rather than remaining with PI programme.
Conclusions
•
MMI is a good example of a network
•
Sharing
g technology
gy and expertise:
p
– reduces duplication
– aids collaboration
– more efficient use of funding
– more efficient use of resources
Molecular Medicine Ireland
Ireland, Newman House
House, 85a St
St. Stephens Green
Green, Dublin 2
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S
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l tt
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