A €13.6m research centre, which will study the causes of pre-term births, has opened in Cork.
The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT) aims to improve treatment and care for pregnant women and newborn babies.
INFANT is one of seven world class research centres currently being established by Science Foundation Ireland.
Based at Cork University Maternity Hospital, it will receive €7.6m in public funding and a further €6m from 15 industry partners.
The money will be used to directly support 60 researchers, doctors and scientists.
They will work on addressing the significant absence of predictive and diagnostic tests in perinatal care by developing screening tests and methods of monitoring both pregnancy and newborn babies.
They will also attempt to identify the risks that can lead to pre-term births in an effort to enable early treatment and intervention.
Their work will also involve collaboration with a number of other academic partners based in Ireland and abroad.
Minister for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock said the investment would position Ireland at the forefront of the field, as well as creating potential for economic impact.
