ABOUT US
Clinical Translational Research & Innovation Centre
OUR VALUES
Providing access to cutting edge technology
Passionate for patient involvement
Enriching the NW and our cross-border community
Forefront of regional development
Bringing Research to Your Community
WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO
The Clinical Translational Research & Innovation Centre is a state-of-the-art clinical research facility (CRF), and not-for-profit company based on the Altnagelvin Hospital site in Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is part of the UKCRF network of 54 clinical research facilities across the UK and Ireland.
C-TRIC is a regional asset that facilitates collaboration between universities and life and health science companies with the NHS, enabling clinical research aimed at improving patient care in our community.
We aim to enhance clinical research by providing access to world-class facilities specialising in cutting-edge, high-throughput single-cell multiomics, which is essential for understanding complex diseases. Our mission is to pave the way for more effective treatments and to become an NGS Training Centre of Excellence.
Powered by a unique collaboration between Derry City and Strabane District Council, Ulster University, and the Western Health and Social Care Trust.
Our strategic location provides unparalleled opportunities for patients to participate in national and international clinical research, fostering direct connections with transformative research initiatives aimed at enhancing patient care standards.
Within C-TRIC, Ulster University’s Personalised Medicine Centre spearheads efforts to tailor treatments based on individual genetic and molecular profiles. Moreover, the Western Trust R&D office ensures that patients have access to diverse clinical research opportunities.
OUR PARTNERS
OUR TEAM
Our Team
Prof. Aaron Peace
CEO
Patricia Moran
Facilities Manager
Mark Watson PhD
Scientific Lead
Joe McLaughlin PhD
Senior Scientific Officer
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors
Neil Guckian
Chief Executive, Western Health and Social Care Trust
Dr. Brendan Lavery
Medical Director, Western Health & Social Care Trust
Joann Rhodes
Chief Executive, Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland
Stephen Gillespie
Director of Business & Culture, Derry City & Strabane District Council
Professor Liam Maguire
Pro Vice Chancellor Research, Ulster University
Professor Victor Gault
Associate Dean, Research and Innovation, Ulster University
Councillor Rory Farrell
Councillor, Derry City & Strabane District Council
Case Studies
Learn about the innovative and successful studies C-TRIC have contributed to.
C-TRIC investigated the anti-cancer therapy (LP-184) in its preliminary stages determining how effectively it will treat locally advanced prostate cancer in patients recruited from the WHSCT, while Lantern Pharma used their innovative software (RADR) to determine how each individual participant responded to the therapy.
Lantern Pharma is a biotechnology company based in the US using AI and genomics to develop precision oncology therapies, aiming to create targeted cancer treatments more efficiently and effectively. Their approach seeks to reduce the cost and time associated with drug development while improving patient outcomes through personalised medicine.
EVALUATING THE USE OF LP-184 FOR PROTATE CANCERLantern Pharma Lantern Pharma is a biotechnology company based in the US using AI and genomics to develop precision oncology therapies, aiming to create targeted cancer treatments more efficiently and effectively. Their approach seeks to reduce the cost and time associated with drug development while improving patient outcomes through personalised medicine.
C-TRIC assessed the antibacterial properties of one of their shower components to be implemented in hospitals, namely the Medi-Shower TM hose. Medi-Shower is a brand known for its range of hygienic and user-friendly shower heads designed specifically for healthcare environments. These products are engineered to meet stringent health and safety standards, often featuring antimicrobial properties to reduce the risk of infection and enhance the safety and well-being of patients and healthcare providers.
ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDI-SHOWER HOSEMedi-Shower 
C-TRIC performed analytical and clinical evaluations of Nova Biomedical glucose monitors, to assess their precision on the intended user population (125 patients with diabetes from the Western Health and Social Care Trust) against the gold standard HbA1c levels provided by the Altnagelvin Hospital’s diagnostic biochemistry laboratory, which is conveniently located opposite C-TRIC.
Nova Biomedical is a US based company specialising in the development and manufacturing of advanced diagnostic and monitoring devices for clinical and biotechnology settings. They focus on providing innovative solutions for blood glucose, critical care analytes, and other essential medical diagnostics to improve patient care and clinical outcomes.
ANALYTICAL AND CLINICAL EVALUATION OF POCT GLUCOSE METERS:Nova Biomedical Nova Biomedical is a US based company specialising in the development and manufacturing of advanced diagnostic and monitoring devices for clinical and biotechnology settings. They focus on providing innovative solutions for blood glucose, critical care analytes, and other essential medical diagnostics to improve patient care and clinical outcomes.
C-TRIC facilitated the comparative assessment of two Cirdan specimen X-ray cabinets namely the SolasOR (dedicated X-ray specimen cabinet designed for surgical and biopsy suites) and the CoreLite (rapid verification of tissue biopsy cores) against the current gold standard Faxitron systems within the WHSCT.
Cirdan is a medical technology company based in NI with offices in Canada and Australia, that designs and manufactures innovative solutions for pathology imaging and diagnostics, including laboratory information systems and imaging tools. Their products aim to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of disease diagnosis and workflow in clinical laboratories and medical institutions.
COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF SPECIMEN X-RAY CABINETSCirdan 
C-TRIC scientifically tested the anti-bacterial properties of Bespoke Candle’s room sprays and candles which contained differing concentrations of essential oils with known anti-bacterial properties to evaluate the product's effectiveness and scope. It was important to test the candles effectiveness in a real-world scenario rather than sterile lab conditions.
Bespoke Candles is a NI-based company that specializes in creating custom-made, high-quality candles tailored to individual preferences and specifications.
SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT OF ANTI-BACTERIAL ESSENTIAL OILSBespoke Candles Bespoke Candles is a NI-based company that specializes in creating custom-made, high-quality candles tailored to individual preferences and specifications.
Partnering with C-TRIC, Axial3D accesses the necessary CTCA scans and clinical expertise, essential for developing an effective machine learning algorithm.
Axial3D, leveraging patented AI and machine learning technologies, provides automated solutions to transform DICOM images into 3D data, aiming to make patient-specific care routine and improve patient outcomes through personalised surgical solutions. To address the limitations of 2D CTCA imaging for coronary heart disease (CHD), the leading cause of death worldwide, Axial3D is developing software to create 3D reconstructions from 2D scans, accurately identifying and labelling coronary arteries and plaque.
AXIAL3D'S AI-DRIVEN 3D IMAGING FOR ENHANCED CORONARY DIAGNOSTICSAxial3D Axial3D, leveraging patented AI and machine learning technologies, provides automated solutions to transform DICOM images into 3D data, aiming to make patient-specific care routine and improve patient outcomes through personalised surgical solutions. To address the limitations of 2D CTCA imaging for coronary heart disease (CHD), the leading cause of death worldwide, Axial3D is developing software to create 3D reconstructions from 2D scans, accurately identifying and labelling coronary arteries and plaque.
Expressed Human Breast Milk Microbiota Study (EHBMMS) is a collaboration between three organisations – C-TRIC, the Human Milk Bank at South West Acute Hospital (WHSCT) and Medicon Ireland. The project to date has involved the development and optimisation of a 16s ribosomal RNA sequencing protocol to identify and quantity bacterial species within human breast milk samples. In addition, corresponding immunological/nutritional assays have been developed to correlate bacteria which appear to be beneficial for newborns immune system and development. The multi-year project plans to create a diagnostic test for mothers’ breast milk to have access to a reliable, robust and accurate breast milk analysis service to analyse the nutritional and immunological qualities of their breastmilk, this will allow mothers’ and clinicians to make informed decisions for breastfeeding and newborn nutrition.
The Western Trust Milk Bank opened in August 2000. Since then it has helped thousands of neonatal babies all over Ireland. Through the generosity of its donors, the milk bank provides very special help for the nation’s most vulnerable babies.
Medicon Ireland are one of Ireland’s fastest growing companies within the Diagnostic and Wholesale Pharmaceutical Sectors. Specialising in laboratory diagnostic equipment, point of care systems, blood glucose meters and pharmaceuticals.
EXPRESSED HUMAN BREAST MILK MICROBIOTA STUDY (EHBMMS)Medicon Ireland Limited The Western Trust Milk Bank opened in August 2000. Since then it has helped thousands of neonatal babies all over Ireland. Through the generosity of its donors, the milk bank provides very special help for the nation’s most vulnerable babies.
Medicon Ireland are one of Ireland’s fastest growing companies within the Diagnostic and Wholesale Pharmaceutical Sectors. Specialising in laboratory diagnostic equipment, point of care systems, blood glucose meters and pharmaceuticals.
In collaboration with C-TRIC and Altnagelvin Hospital, which recently implemented a digital ECG system, PulseAI aims to create a new digital database of 12-lead ECG data for developing and validating their advanced ECG interpretation software. The Altnagelvin database, containing over 13,000 ECGs and growing, will enable large-scale validation and the creation of a proprietary ECG database.
PulseAI are a startup company focused on improving the detection and management of cardiovascular disease using artificial intelligence (AI), and are currently developing an online platform for analysis of long-term ambulatory ECG recordings from wearable ECG patches using AI. Within Europe, most hospitals rely on paper printouts for electrocardiogram (ECG) data, limiting the development of AI-based cardiac diagnostics.
COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF SPECIMEN X-RAY CABINETSPulseAI PulseAI are a startup company focused on improving the detection and management of cardiovascular disease using artificial intelligence (AI), and are currently developing an online platform for analysis of long-term ambulatory ECG recordings from wearable ECG patches using AI. Within Europe, most hospitals rely on paper printouts for electrocardiogram (ECG) data, limiting the development of AI-based cardiac diagnostics.
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unknown cause characterized by inflammation in various organs especially the lung. The exact mechanisms underlying this disease and promoting sustained inflammation are still unknown, it is likely that the interplay of immune cells, genes and environmental including metabolic derangements may play a role in the development and progression of the disease. C-TRIC aims to assess the role of telomeres, epigenetic, and metabolomics in the pathogenesis and clinical phenotypes of sarcoidosis throughout this multi-year project.
TELOMERES, EPIGENETICS AND METABOLOMICS IN PULMONARY SARCOIDOSISPulseAI 
RNA sequencing of patients with atrial fibrillation and patients with chronic kidney disease to find changes in gene expression which may lead to novel biomarkers of disease and potential targets for new personalised treatments.
RNA sequencing and T-cell receptor expression analysis of immune cells to uncover molecular changes following COVID virus exposure.
PERSONALISED MEDICINE CENTRE | ULSTER UNIVERSITY PROJECT Personalised Medicine Centre & Ulster University RNA sequencing and T-cell receptor expression analysis of immune cells to uncover molecular changes following COVID virus exposure.
