Researchers at TU Dublin have secured over €650K to develop innovative cancer diagnostic technology under the prestigious Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland Pathway Programme. The award is part of a national €23 million investment announced today by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, aimed at empowering Ireland’s emerging research leaders.
“This investment, through Research Ireland’s Pathway programme, will support emerging researchers in their journey from postdoctoral work towards establishing themselves as independent investigators. The projects receiving funding span a broad range of disciplines, ensuring a broad impact on scientific discovery and societal progress. By aligning with Ireland’s national research priorities, these projects will help drive advancements in key sectors such as healthcare, environmental sustainability, history and education,” stated Minister Lawless
The research, led by Dr Anand V.R., a postdoctoral research fellow at TU Dublin’s Photonics Research Centre (PRC), will combine two advanced light-based technologies—whispering gallery mode (WGM) sensing and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)—to build a powerful new tool for detecting cancer. This new system won’t need chemical labels and will be highly sensitive, making it possible to quickly and accurately detect important cancer signals in the body, even in very small amounts.
Based at TU Dublin’s Photonics Research Centre, the project will benefit from the Centre’s state-of-the-art facilities, including 90m² of specialised lab space and a multidisciplinary research environment. The project will also engage a PhD student under the co-supervision of PRC Director Prof. Yuliya Semenova.
Further collaboration will come from TU Dublin’s Nanolab Research Centre (NRC), led by Dr Furong Tian, whose expertise in nanomaterials and nanoparticle modification will support the development of the sensor’s biomedical capabilities.
A key outcome of the project will be the creation of a proof-of-concept prototype for a rapid, non-invasive diagnostic tool that can detect minute quantities of breast cancer biomarkers in blood samples, offering promise for earlier detection and improved patient outcomes.
“I am honoured to receive this support through the Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland Pathway Programme. This funding will enable us to develop a next-generation biosensing platform that merges the unique advantages of whispering gallery mode resonant sensing and surface-enhanced Raman scattering,” said Dr Anand V.R.
“Our goal is to dramatically improve the speed, sensitivity, and accuracy of breast cancer detection. This project is a testament to the collaborative research environment fostered at the Photonics Research Centre and Nanolab Research Centre, and I look forward to translating our scientific innovation into real-world clinical impact.”
Commenting on the awards, Celine Fitzgerald, Interim CEO, Research Ireland, said “Our Pathway programme equips promising researchers with the resources needed to reach the next level and help drive impactful discoveries. These projects will contribute valuable insights into pressing global and national issues, including public health policy, digital well-being, technological advancements, healthcare and more.”
The Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland Pathway Programme is co-funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), and Met Éireann, contributing a total of €1.7 million to support projects with cross-sectoral relevance in sustainability, environment, and climate.
For more information, please visit www.tudublin.ie/PRC