APC Microbiome Ireland - 15 years of impact

Hogan, David

APC Microbiome Ireland - 15 years of impact

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APC-15-years-of-IMPACT.pdf(3.6 MB)

Published Version

Date

2018-12

Authors

Hogan, David

Publisher

APC Microbiome Ireland

Abstract

Ambitious, dynamic, transdisciplinary, APC Microbiome Ireland (APC) is a flagship Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre…and much more. It is a global leader in microbiome science and an agent of change. From the outset the APC has adhered to its mission: ‘Linking Irish science with industry and society through excellence in research, education and public engagement in gastrointestinal health’. Impact has been wide-ranging and includes economic growth, development of human skills, scientific and medical discovery with translation to new medical and dietary therapy, public health policy, and societal engagement. APC investigates the microscopic organisms (microbes) that live in and on the body in health and disease. This community of microbes (microbiota) includes bacteria, yeasts and viruses which are beneficial and necessary for optimal human development but may occasionally represent a risk for development of disease in susceptible individuals. APC has pursued three main lines of scientific pursuit: firstly, to develop new diagnostics or biomarkers of health or risk of disease based on analysis of the microbiota; secondly, to explore mechanisms by which the microbiota may be favourably mobilised or manipulated; and thirdly to ‘mine’ the microbiota for new drugs and/or functional food ingredients. In addition to research, APC trains the next generation of scientists to become the industry and academic leaders of tomorrow. APC encourages the general public, including students from 1st to 4th level, to think scientifically and to engage in scientific debate of societal relevance. Since its foundation in 2003, APC has leveraged four successive phases of seed funding from SFI to attract additional investment from industry collaborators and funding sources including the European Union, and philanthropy. Simply stated, for every €1 of core investment by SFI, the APC has realised an additional €1.84 externally. This multiplier effect – a doubling of taxpayer investment – is a rarity in any field of public endeavour. Indeed, when economic hardship struck Ireland a decade ago, our scientists delivered and APC flourished. This report is an acknowledgement of government support for research and human capital development. It is testimony to the achievements of a dedicated group of scientists, and provides an overview of the economic, scientific, human capital and societal impacts of APC Microbiome Ireland. We intend it to serve as a benchmark for the future.

Keywords

APC Microbiome Ireland , Economic impact , Scientific impact , Human capital , Societal impact , Microbes , Microbiome

Citation

Hogan, D. (2018) APC Microbiome Ireland - 15 years of impact. Cork: APC Microbiome Ireland, pp. 1-19. Available at: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2019/APC-15-years-of-IMPACT.pdf (Accessed: 26 February 2025)