The University of Ulster’s ground-breaking research in life sciences will be showcased at a series of high profile international events in Derry~Londonderry next month.
C-TRIC's 5th Annual Translational Medicine Conference (TMED5) on the theme ‘Enabling Healthy Ageing’ will take place in the City Hotel from May 2 – 3 and has attracted some of the world’s leading players in life sciences research and innovation.
C-TRIC, a purpose built, award-winning clinical research facility at Altnagelvin Hospital, was developed as a joint partnership between the University of Ulster at Magee, Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) and Derry City Council, with funding from Ilex (urban regeneration company) and Invest Northern Ireland.
The annual C-TRIC conference, which is widely recognised as a leading international conference in translational medicine and healthcare innovation, has gone from strength to strength. Last year it was attended by over 160 delegates from across Europe, the USA and Asia.
A number of world renowned players in life sciences research and innovation will speak at this year’s event, including Anne Snowdon, Chair of the International Centre for Health Innovation, Canada, Dr Zahid Latif, Technology Strategy Board and Professor Bob Langer from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston who will address delegates via video.
TMED5 will explore the challenges of delivering healthcare to an ageing population and showcase novel approaches in disease prevention and disease management, including diagnosis and therapy interventions.
The programme for the three day event includes presentations by experts in nursing, psychology, computing, biomedical science and bioengineering who will outline novel approaches and solutions to key global challenges in managing and caring for an ageing population.
Professor Tony Bjourson, C-TRIC Board Member and Chair of the conference organising committee explained: "Translational medicine is a term used to describe for ‘bench-to-bedside’ approach and the speeding up of the time for research to be converted into real advances that actually benefit patients and society.
"It requires a multi-disciplinary approach to reduce R&D costs involved in the development of innovative health technologies, medical devices and therapeutics and it is a multi-million pound industry.”
Professor Bjourson, who is also Director of the Biomedical Sciences Research Institute at Ulster’s Coleraine campus, said the aim of the conference is to encourage greater collaboration and communication between the stakeholders including academics, clinicians, researchers and industry R&D managers to inform research and clinical interventions and explore novel approaches to enable healthy ageing.
Dr Maurice O'Kane, Chief Executive of C-TRIC and Head of Research and Development, Western Trust said: “TMED5 demonstrates how in partnership we can play a vital role in translating medical advances from the laboratory bench to the patient's bedside. This is an essential step that will ultimately lead to improving the care we offer patients and the public.
"TMED5 has attracted a range of national and international sponsors including Boston based Partners Healthcare, the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries, Celerion, the University of Ulster NORIBIC, the Public Health Agency for Northern Ireland, the Western Health and Social Care Trust and Invest Northern Ireland.
Other life sciences related events taking place in Derry~Londonderry next month which highlight the pivotal role of university-led research in this burgeoning sector related events include: the ‘Innovation for Health and Wealth Forum’ which will explore the future development of the life sciences sector in Northern Ireland and 'TMED Health Hack' aimed at developing new apps and technology for health and wellbeing
The full conference programme can be accessed athttp://www.c-tric.com/tmed5