The key individual objectives of the CREATE research strategy are consistent with the strategic goals of the Institute as outlined below.

 To establish a skill base in core technologies for diagnosis and disease monitoring with identification of compatible sensor technologies and hybrid sensor arrangements which provide real time, accurate and in depth information regarding a number of disease states with necessary clinical diagnostic information. Key thematic areas currently include nanostructured materials (bioscience and molecular electronics applications), micro and nanosensor technology (applications in neurochemical monitoring, electrolyte detection and bedside disease state monitoring) electrocatalytic materials (applications in biomedical, fuel cell and environmental science);

 To establish R+D collaborations with SMEs within Ireland to improve the commercial and economic vitality of the country. Our commercialisation centre (MiCRA) has to date actively engaged with 12 companies in the diagnostic/medical device sector in Ireland on a variety of projects covering a number of disciplines developing working prototypes for next generation multi-analyte bio-sensor technologies. 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 we have targeted establishment of a spin-out company by end 2011.

 To act as an educational resource within ITT Dublin with input at 3rd (via new course development, programmatic reviews, and final year projects) and 4th level programmes (see section 7) in order to contribute towards output of highly skilled, employable, innovative and motivated graduates and postgraduates.

 To continue to attract research funding to develop pre-commercialisation research programmes, the outputs of which will be harnessed and assessed for commercial viability. A series of programmes to develop novel, non-invasive, multi-analyte diagnostic platforms are currently in preparation.

 To build upon existing academic collaborative links at NUI Maynooth (Prof. John Lowry and Prof. Carmel Breslin) and DCU (Dr. Tony Killard and Dr. Fiona Regan), University of Limerick (Dr. Calum Dickinson, Dr. Wynette Redington) other ITs (Dr. Tim McCormac DkIT, Dr. Helen Hughes WIT, Dr. John Cassidy DIT) and international institutions ( USA, Ukraine, South Africa, France, Spain, Germany, UK). This is based on complimentary research activities, historical links, and physical proximity and is compatible with the strategic alliances proposed under the PRTLI Cycle 4 funded Centre of Applied Science for Health and the ITT Dublin Research Strategy.

These core objectives will enable us to deliver world class research outputs in thematic areas of national importance, while establishing an adaptive technology base with solid foundations in the chemical and biomedical sciences. We will continue to facilitate transfer of knowledge generated, contributing towards key learning outcomes at 3rd and 4th level while effectively managing IP and subsequent commercialisation outputs. Our long term strategy is to ensure a complimentary approach with respect to national activity within this space (e.g. DCU (BDI/NCSR), University of Limerick (MSSI) and Tyndall Institute) consolidated by collaborative links, bringing added value to existing centres. To date we have leveraged significant funding arising from national strategic partnerships under PRTLI (Cycle 2 and 4) with further envisaged under Cycle 5. We will continue to be informed by national reports e.g. SSTI, HEA Forfas review and relevant EU policy to respond to changing directions with respect to prioritisation of activities all of which will ensure the outputs outlined below.