Athlone Institute of Technology has devoted considerable time and resources to education and research in polymer technology and toxicology � two distinctive niche disciplines long associated with the institute. Their complementary capacity has already spawned the Centre for Biopolymer & Biomolecular Research (CBBR) in AIT and now further synergies have led to the formation of the Centre for Nanotechnology & Materials Research (CNMR). The CNMR will be located in the former Polymer Development Centre, an 18000 sq ft building located adjacent to the AIT East Campus.
The new CNMR Facility
The CNMR will host an extensive analytical laboratory, micro fabrication facilities, clean rooms, a polymer processing hall, physical and mechanical testing laboratory, surface analysis laboratory (AFM and mTA) and support infrastructure. The centre will combine these laboratory capacities with skill sets in technology transfer and development and clinical trial management. The former will ensure that the CBBR effectively acts as a conduit and evaluation filter for mid to late stage research concepts that originate nationally and internationally. CNMR will seek to broker deals that generate development work for the centre and deliver a stream of potential innovative products to Irish based healthcare companies. The healthcare market favours products that are seen as reducing risk and/or reducing the overall cost of treatment and these will be major drivers of the research. There is a significant cluster of established and emerging healthcare companies in the midlands-west region and the CNMR benefiting from the institute's long history of industry partnering research, will provide a tailored research capability for the region and beyond. Future technology demands of next generation medical devices on the part of the �6billion+ Irish industry will require access to micro and nano scale fabrication facilities, new materials and enhanced bioperformance.
Biomedical research centres in AIT
The CNMR will engage in largely near-to-market research in the areas of:
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�Drug delivery/drug devices
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�Wound repair
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�Polymer processing
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�Micromanufacturing technologies applicable to healthcare products
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�Enhanced biocompatibility attainment
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�Nanotoxicology
These are inherently all inter-related research domains, but will be delivered by an interdisciplinary research team comprising polymer engineering, organic and inorganic chemistry, molecular biology, toxicology and electromechanical engineering expertise. The Department of Nursing & Health Science will provide a clinical interface for the research. The CNMR will also provide incubator support for relevant technology start up companies, access to core and wet lab facilities and contract research and services. The latter will be delivered via the AIT company, Bioserv Ltd.
Some seed projects in the new centre include:
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�Electrosterilisation of biomaterials/medical devices.
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�Natural polymer drug delivery for wound healing and sub-chronic systemic delivery.
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�Development of a new catheter for positioning a drug eluting stent.
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�Intelligent polymer utilisation database � Polymer Informatics
The CNMR will host key PIs from the Department of Polymer Engineering and the Department of Life & Physical Sciences. The new centre will work closely with the already established CBBR and other AIT research laboratories to progress research ideas to industry exploitable opportunities.
Differentiating Caco 2 cells grown on a Biocoat membrane visualised by AFM
Contact Dr. Paul Tomkins,
Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath;
Tel: 353 (0) 90 6424544; E-mail:
[email protected]
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