Six researchers in Irish universities are among almost 300 people being awarded European grants.

Two researchers from Trinity and one each from UCD, NUIG, DIT and UCC will share total Horizon 2020 grants of almost €9m.

Lydia Lynch from Walkinstown in Dublin, has been awarded €1.8m to explore possible ways of fighting obesity.

She is to transfer from Harvard University in Boston to Trinity College to develop her research.

Lydia says recent trials on targeted cells in mice have reversed obesity and she plans to extend the test to humans:

Other funded research will examine indigenous writing in British colonies during the Romantic period; the conversion of hydro-carbons into commodity chemicals and pharmaceuticals; the effects of diabetes on the immune system; immune response in schizophrenia; the monitoring of prisons; and communist-era secret police in Central and Eastern Europe.

Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: "We need to keep our most talented researchers in Europe while attracting the new and diverse perspectives of top researchers from elsewhere in the world.

These grants ensure many of the world's most exciting ideas are developed right here: giving researchers and scientists the freedom and security to pursue their careers and ambitions on our continent."