TU Dublin is delighted to announce that Dr Dinesh Kumar Reddy Medipally, postdoctoral researcher in the Centre for Radiation and Environmental Science (RESC), has been awarded €595,099 under the Taighde Éireann/Research Ireland Pathway Programme 2026 for his project titled ‘Development of a multiclass liquid biopsy for prostate cancer.’ This significant funding will support the establishment of independent research careers and recognise excellence in innovative, interdisciplinary research at TU Dublin.
Revolutionising Prostate Cancer Detection with AI Technology
Dr Medipally’s groundbreaking work builds on more than a decade of research spanning molecular biology, analytical chemistry, optical spectroscopy and machine learning. His research focuses on developing novel liquid biopsy technologies for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, with the potential to transform how we detect and treat prostate cancer.
Current screening methods, such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, suffer from low specificity and can lead to over-diagnosis and unnecessary invasive procedures. The proposed multiclass liquid biopsy aims to provide a more accurate and less invasive alternative, reducing physical discomfort and financial burden for patients while improving clinical decision-making.
Advanced Expertise in Spectroscopy and Machine Learning
Through previously funded IRC postgraduate and postdoctoral projects, Dr Medipally has developed advanced expertise in spectroscopy-based diagnostic platforms and robust machine learning frameworks for disease detection and stratification. His research in the Centre for Radiation and Environmental Science (RESC) in collaboration with Dr Aidan Meade and Prof Fiona Lyng has centred on translating complex biological signals into clinically actionable insights, particularly in oncology.
Pathway Award Supports Independent Research Careers
The Pathway Award supports the establishment of independent research careers and recognises excellence in innovative, interdisciplinary research. Dr Medipally’s work directly extends this trajectory by advancing an AI-enabled liquid biopsy for prostate cancer capable of both detecting disease and stratifying tumour grade simultaneously.
Speaking about the award, Dr Medipally said: “I am honoured to receive the Research Ireland Pathway award. This support enables me to strengthen my independent research trajectory and to continue developing next-generation liquid biopsy technologies with the potential to transform cancer diagnostics.”
Clinical Impact and Patient Benefits
The Pathway-funded project represents a significant advancement in prostate cancer diagnostics. By developing a more accurate and less invasive testing method, this research could dramatically improve patient outcomes and reduce the physical and emotional burden associated with current diagnostic procedures.
Professor Fiona Lyng, RESC Centre Manager commented: “I’m delighted that Dinesh has been awarded the TÉ-RI Pathway Fellowship. This is a well-deserved recognition which will accelerate this research on minimally invasive prostate cancer diagnostics and bring benefits to patients in the future.”
Strategic Importance for TU Dublin Research
This award supports the structured progression of the platform toward translational validation, in alignment with national priorities in precision oncology and digital health. It also marks an important step in consolidating Dr Medipally’s independent research programme focused on minimally invasive, data-driven cancer diagnostics, while further strengthening TU Dublin’s strategic emphasis on interdisciplinary and translational research.
The funding will enable Dr Medipally to expand his research team, acquire advanced equipment, and establish collaborations with clinical partners to validate the technology in real-world settings. This investment in cutting-edge research demonstrates TU Dublin’s commitment to addressing critical healthcare challenges through innovative technological solutions.
Future Directions and Research Impact
Looking ahead, the research team plans to conduct clinical trials to validate the effectiveness of the AI-enabled liquid biopsy technology. The ultimate goal is to develop a commercially viable diagnostic tool that can be widely adopted in healthcare settings across Ireland and internationally.
This research has the potential to significantly impact prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, potentially saving lives through earlier detection and more accurate staging of the disease. The integration of artificial intelligence with advanced spectroscopy techniques represents a promising approach to addressing one of the most pressing challenges in modern healthcare.
TU Dublin’s Commitment to Research Excellence
This achievement highlights TU Dublin’s growing reputation as a centre of excellence for research in health technologies and artificial intelligence. The university continues to attract talented researchers and secure significant funding to support innovative projects that address real-world challenges.
For more information about research opportunities at TU Dublin or to explore our research centres, visit our Research and Innovation pages. This award demonstrates the university’s commitment to supporting researchers who are developing innovative solutions to improve healthcare outcomes and quality of life for patients worldwide.
