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Fuelled by these revelations, the researchers embarked on a mission that would push the boundaries of scientific inquiry. The team, hailing from diverse corners of the globe, collaborated to design an ingenious method involving the deployment of temperature probes onto free-swimming basking sharks. This endeavour required ingenuity and precision, as the elusive nature of these creatures forbade any direct contact. After meticulous planning and execution, the team’s persistence bore fruit. Retrieving the temperature devices after a 12-hour interval, the data unveiled a startling truth: the muscle temperature of the basking sharks consistently exceeded the ambient temperature by 1 to 1.5°C. This revelation left no room for doubt – basking sharks are indeed warm-blooded, a discovery that defies the conventional boundaries of marine biology. This newfound understanding has transcended the realm of scientific curiosity, resonating deeply with the urgency of conservation. Basking sharks, an endangered species, now assume an even more profound significance. Armed with this revolutionary insight, conservation efforts can be tailored to account for the true nature of these creatures, potentially safeguarding their future against encroaching threats in a rapidly changing world. As we delve deeper into the ocean’s mysteries, the basking shark stands as a testament to the hidden wonders that still await discovery. This chapter, authored by the collaboration between Trinity and a global network of researchers, exemplifies the power of unwavering curiosity to unearth nature’s most profound enigmas. In the embrace of their alma mater’s legacy, these scholars continue to illuminate the shadows of the deep, revealing the intricate tapestry of life that thrives beneath the waves.
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Portal - Trinity’s innovation space in Silicon Docks Discover how Trinity’s new innovation space, Portal, is driving collaboration and sustainability at the heart of Dublin’s Docklands Space for brilliant researchers and innovators across all disciplines to come together and do great things Trinity is recognised as one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities and our research continues to address issues of global, societal and economic importance. Trinity is creating a new gateway to access its world-renowned research, innovation and enterprise activities, called Portal. When it opens in the Spring of 2025, Portal will provide much-needed co-working and innovation space for Trinity researchers, founders, freelancers and innovation teams to work together at scale for the first time. It will create a home for Trinity campus companies. Portal marks the first phase of the regeneration of the 5.2 acre Trinity East campus. Two bonded warehouses are being refurbished to create an exciting space for 300 people and will include meeting rooms, events spaces and a café. The design, by Richard Murphy Architects from Edinburgh also includes a new public square that will enable Portal to host a vibrant programme of activities, such as talks, festivals, pitches, competitions and social gatherings. This mix has been carefully designed to optimise the broad innovation mission of Portal, provide a dynamic, integrated working space for members, entice visitors and generate exciting, unexpected outcomes. Trinity East is in Grand Canal Quay, at the heart of a thriving business district home to 25,000 jobs across leading multinationals, scale- ups and start-ups. This proximity will enable Trinity to develop corporate partnerships and research collaborations, and expand mentoring and talent development opportunities within our innovation and enterprise community. Portal is financed through a combination of government support, philanthropy and university investment with critical support from philanthropist Carol Grigor, a member of Trinity’s Provost’s Council and a generous donor to college. This strategic investment will stimulate innovation, driving growth and creativity for Dublin and Ireland. The Trinity East campus is being developed with a strong sustainability focus, both environmentally and financially, through radical refurbishment, retrofitting and regeneration. In time, it will become home to a vibrant community of researchers, innovators, cultural practitioners and collaborators across disciplines under the broad umbrella of sustainability. Research laboratories already in place and led by Trinity’s world class scientists and engineers include facilities to explore turbine propulsion for sustainable aviation and experimentally controlled plant chambers to inform a sustainable future. Trinity East is also home to The Lir Academy, Ireland’s National Academy of Dramatic Art and Unit 18, Trinity’s first dedicated space for civic and community engagement which delivers a vibrant programme of events for local resident.
