MiCRA Strategy

Our core objective is development of next generation innovative sensor technology platforms in collaboration with our industrial partners. To date, integrated nano/microsensors have been designed for clinical (human and veterinary) diagnostics in addition to environmental (water testing) applications.

The centre’s research and commercialisation strategy is reviewed by an external industry steering group together with an internal management committee ordinarily composed of the following members:

Dr Eithne Dempsey – Joint Co-ordinator of CREATE and Lecturer in Chemistry.
Dr Fathi Akkari – Co-ordinator of NCAM and Lecturer in Electronic Engineering.
Dr Mary Deasy – Co-Supervisor and Senior Lecturer in Chemistry.
James Wright – Head of Dept. Electronic Engineering

The key strategic objectives of MiCRA are:

  1. To date MiCRA has actively engaged with 12 companies in the diagnostic/medical device sector in Ireland. We aim to target 5 new active collaborations by end 2010.
  2. MiCRA’s strategy is to commercialise our technology in the most appropriate manner. The identification of licensing opportunities will be our main focus over the period 2010-2012 and based upon existing and future IP developed we have targeted two license agreements by end of 2011.
  3. The potential for a start up spin out company will be assessed during 2012.
  4. To target niche areas of medical device and diagnostic innovation by development of core research projects utilising the expertise of the multidisciplinary team at ITT Dublin and collaborating institutions.
  5. To continue to attract research funding to develop pre-commercialisation research programmes, the outputs of which will be harnessed and assessed for commercial viability.
  6. To act as a vehicle to capture, evaluate and subsequently commercialise appropriate knowledge arising from the PRTLI funded Centre of Applied Science for Health at ITT Dublin.
  7. Production of high level research outputs, intellectual property (IP), peer-reviewed publications and know-how in the thematic areas.