The Institute was established in collaboration with National University of Ireland, Galway as a Centre for Science, Engineering & Technology (CSET) and has been supported with funding of €14.9 million by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) to conduct basic and applied research in regenerative medicine, an emerging field that combines the technologies of gene therapy and adult stem cell therapy.
Centres for Science, Engineering & Technology help link scientists and engineers in partnerships across academia and industry to address crucial research questions, foster the development of new and existing Irish-based technology companies, attract industry that could make an important contribution to Ireland and its economy, and expand educational and career opportunities in Ireland in science and engineering.
O'Brien graduated from University College Cork with a MB BCh BAO (Honours) and a PhD.
He returned to Ireland from the United States in 2000 where he held positions at University of California-San Francisco and in Endocrinology at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN.
He focuses his research on cardiovascular disease and has a special interest in diabetic vascular disorders.