Immune system expert emerges from shortlist to win Boyle medal

Wednesday October 7th 2009 The Irish Times

Prof Luke O’Neill wins the medal and an accompanying €20,000 cash prize. He was selected yesterday from among a group of four shortlisted candidates. The four were assessed by seven international scientific peers based outside of Ireland.

The judges came to their decision after a study of the candidates’ research records and also a direct discussion with each candidate. These interviews took place in Dublin at the RDS, and Prof O’Neill emerged as the unanimous winner. “I am extremely honoured to have my research recognised in this way,” he said.

Prof O’Neill has conducted extensive research into the immune system, which protects us against infection and disease. He has degrees from Trinity College Dublin and University of London, and is based in Trinity’s School of Biochemistry and Immunology.

His research focuses on the molecular and cellular basis of inflammation. He also studies innate immunity, the part of our immune system that does not make use of antibodies but fights infection in a non-specific way.

The judges said that “in Luke O’Neill you have an individual who has made a significant contribution to international research into the immune system”.

They praised his involvement in education and industry and also for his participation in international research meetings. “Luke is a fantastic ambassador for Irish science,” the judges added.

Prof O’Neill has brought his research discoveries to market via campus company Opsona Therapeutics, which he co-founded with colleagues Prof Kingston Mills and Prof Dermot Kelleher.

The company successfully raised €6.25 million in “A round” financing in February 2005, the largest such support for a biotech start-up company at that time anywhere in Europe. The company has since announced “B round” finance totalling €21.3 million.

The Boyle Medal for Scientific Excellence was established by the RDS more than a century ago in 1899. Over that time there have been 37 Boyle medal awards given to leading scientists who have conducted research of global importance.

The Irish Times joined with the RDS to relaunch the medal programme in its centenary year and since then the two organisations have jointly conferred the Boyle medal.

This is the first year the medal award also includes a cash prize. As the Boyle medal laureate, Prof O’Neill will give a free public lecture describing his research at a special presentation at the RDS on Monday, November 16th. It takes place at 7pm in the RDS Concert Hall.

Prof O’Neill is married with two children.
 

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