Named after Anu, the celtic goddess of fertility and prosperity, the Research Centre located within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology UCC, on the top floor of CUMH, is a world-class research centre concentrating on the mother and the unborn baby specialising in the molecular basis of human reproduction, perinatal clinical trials and epidemiology, and innovation in gynaecological surgery.

The Anu Research Centre has a number of studies currently underway. One project involves recruiting 3,000 first time mothers to investigate the causes of pre-eclampsia and low birth weight babies. Another will develop biomarkers to predict intra-uterine growth restriction. The Research Centre also has responsibility for the collection of data on perinatal health on a national basis. Its overall objective is to translate outcome data from Irish maternity hospitals and evidence-based best practice into improved clinical services for Irish patients.
 
In welcoming the opening of the Anu Research Centre focusing on women's health and reproduction, the President of UCC, Dr Michael Murphy, said: "UCC is positioning itself to be at the forefront of innovation and research in all aspects of healthcare.  Healthcare is the world's biggest industry and the university is committed to ensuring that healthcare disciplines are fully represented in its portfolio of fourth level education aimed at delivering Government policy and meeting Government objectives in creating a knowledge economy."

Professor John Higgins, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, UCC said the opening of the Research Centre has been possible because of the co-operation between UCC and HSE South.   "The development of the Anu Research Centre and Women's Health and Reproduction emphasises the benefits of integrating research and innovation with service delivery.  An important philosophy in Cork University Maternity Hospital is to ensure that we lead change and improvement in patient care."
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NOTES:

The Anu Research Centre comprises:
Centre for Human Molecular Reproduction - bringing together research in molecular biology and human reproduction.
Projects currently being undertaken are:
SCOPE Ireland Research Award - €1.7m
The Health Research Board has funded SCOPE Ireland, the single largest international consortium of obstetric scientists, to conduct a four-year research study. The SCOPE study is already being conducted in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. The study aims to develop predictive tests for poor pregnancy outcomes and will recruit 3,000 women over 4 years.  This research will have a major impact on health outcomes for Irish women and their babies. Recruitment began in February 2008.  To be eligible, women must be healthy, be in their first pregnancy, or have had no more than 3 miscarriages or terminations, or a combination of both.  Further information, visit http://www.scopestudy.net, or call +021 420 5026.

Predicting Fetal Growth Restriction     
Dr Richard Horgan was awarded a HRB Clinical Training Fellowship in 2007 to complete a three year PhD under the supervision of Dr Louise Kenny, Professor John Higgins and collaborators in the UK and New Zealand. This award is particularly significant; it is the first time the HRB have given a Clinical Training Fellowship to an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in training. Richard is using metabolomic technology to develop biomarkers that will predict intra-uterine growth restriction. He is using high through-put mass spectrometry combined with powerful machine learning methodology to assess the predictive power of a range of novel metabolomic biomarkers, both alone and in combination with other parameters such as fetal biometry.

Science Foundation Ireland Award (SFI) - €180,000
A Research Frontiers Programme grant, in excess of €180,000, has been awarded by SFI to Dr Louise Kenny to undertake research investigating the role of the overactivity of poly(ADP) ribosylation and vascular dysfunction in pre-eclampsia. This research project will take the form of a postdoctoral fellowship (carried out by Dr Sarah Walsh) and will aim to not only elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia but will also examine possible therapeutic interventions for this condition. It is endeavoured that the novel data generated by this project will lead to a further acquisition of funding and the expansion of the basic scientific research being undertaken by this department in the future.

National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre - gathering national perinatal data, interpreting it and translating evidence into clinical guidelines to be distributed nationally. Its mission is to improve the health and translate outcome data from Irish maternity hospitals and evidence-based best practice into improved clinical services for Irish patients.  The specific roles of the Centre are:

• Collaborating with government agencies (including the ESRI) to collate outcome data from maternity hospitals in Ireland
• Evaluating outcome data from all maternity units including:
• Maternity and perinatal mortality
• Birth defects
• Outcomes of fertility
• Publishing the analysis of perinatal data and outcomes, on an annual basis
• Developing clinical protocols/guidelines based on analysis of data
• Acting as a resource for the  Minister and the Department for Health and Children

Centre for Research and Innovation in Gynaecological Surgery - facilitated by audiovisual links installed between theatres, ultrasound and teaching rooms in the CUMH as well as simulation teaching.

Pictured at the Official Opening of the Anu Research Centre were: Kathryn Neville, Developmental Manager, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, UCC, Professor John Higgins, Head, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, UCC and Mr Micheál Martin, TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment.

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