Exciting changes are underway at the Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI), a leading centre for biomedical and clinical research. With the appointment of a new director, Professor Mark Little, and the launch of a bold five-year strategy, TTMI is set to enhance its role in bridging cutting-edge research with real-world healthcare solutions. This new direction will officially be introduced at the institute’s annual conference on March 28th, which will highlight TTMI’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and patient-centred research.
The TTMI was officially opened in 2017 by former Provost, Dr. Patrick Prendergast. The institute is at the forefront of cutting-edge research, clinical application, and industry collaboration, driving advancements in healthcare. Located on St. James’ campus, TTMI works with clinical partners in Tallaght University Hospital, Sir Patrick Dunne laboratory, Coombe Hospital, and Children’s Health Ireland, highlighting their focus on collaboration in their new strategy. This unique positioning allows TTMI to bridge laboratory discoveries with patient care, tackling critical challenges and harnessing emerging opportunities.
In 2018, TTMI established key objectives, such as fostering collaborative partnerships, enhancing core facilities, navigating challenges such as GDPR and Big Data, and integrating patient voices into research. These goals have largely been achieved, leaving a solid foundation for the next phase of growth under its new director, Professor Mark Little, Fottrell Professor of Nephrology at Trinity College Dublin.
TTMI’s bold new strategy will come into effect this year, outlining the steps to be taken over the next 5 years to ensure continued growth and success. The key focus of their strategy is collaboration in all its forms – across disciplines, with industry partners, and on an international scale. In his statement, Professor Little explained “By fostering a dynamic environment where clinicians, scientists, and academics work in unison, we can accelerate the development of novel diagnostics, therapeutics, and interventions that will improve the quality of life for countless individuals.”
From its inception, TTMI aimed to bridge and consolidate all areas of expertise, and this mission will continue in its new strategy. A key focus is creating a bridge for research-active clinicians to engage with world-class bench scientists, easing the path for development of disease cohorts and unlocking biobanking opportunities.
TTMI have developed a new “THRIVE” framework to define its key focuses for the next five years. This acronym highlights their core aims: Transformative Discovery, Harmonised Collaboration, Research Talent Development, Impactful Health Solutions, Visionary Sustainability, and Excellence in Science. Biobanking involves the storage of patient biological samples, such as DNA and blood cells, to drive a personalised medicine approach that aligns an individual’s genetic and cellular patterns with diagnostic and treatment approaches. This ensures that the right therapies are applied to the right patients at the right time.
Currently, TTMI is consolidating its biobanking pathways in line with the newly ratified large-scale biobank build on the St James’ hospital campus. This development will dramatically increase TTMI’s capacity for sample usage and lay the groundwork for national approaches.
When asking TTMI’s new director Professor Little, about his personal vision for the institute, he stated that TTMI aspires to be recognised as a global leader in translational health research. His goal is to drive patient-centred, innovative solutions that transform scientific discoveries into tangible improvements in patient care and overall health outcomes. The passion and ambition of Dr. Little is clear, as well as his resolve to contribute to bettering our world. In his own words ‘We aspire to set new standards in bridging the gap between laboratory research and clinical application, ultimately enhancing the well-being of individuals and communities worldwide.’
TTMI’s annual conference will be held onFriday, March 28th, showcasing exciting new research in the fields of cancer, vaccines, stroke, and iron metabolism. Key speakers include Dr. Angela O’Neill, a Trinity Research Fellow in radiation therapy, and consultant neurologist Professor. Dominick McCabe. The conference will also illustrate TTMI’s renewed focus on clinician-scientist engagement, with Professor Little giving a talk titled “TTMI – the Next Five Years and Beyond”.
With its bold new strategy, a strengthened focus on collaboration, and a visionary leader at the helm, TTMI is positioning itself as a global force in translational medicine. Over the next five years, we have a front-row seat to witness how TTMI will transform patient care through innovation, setting new standards in medical research and clinical application.
