ERC funding to help cross ‘Valley of Death’

Two leading Irish blue-sky researchers have again successfully secured European Research Grants.

Professor Fergal O’Brien of the Royal College of Surgeons has been awarded €150,000 in funding from the excellent science scheme to further his research into tissue regeneration, helping repair damage joint cartilage. The research builds upon a previous ERC-funded project, when he secured a €2m grant in 2009.

Meanwhile, Professor Valeria Nicolosi of Trinity College Dublin will use her grant, also €150,000, to develop 3D printing research using material one atom thick to create electronic components and advanced batteries. She had previously won a Starting Grant and Proof-of-Concept Grant from the ERC in 2011 and 2014 respectively.