Pharmacy researchers at Queen's University in Belfast are working on a way to deliver the photosensitiser drug directly to the colon, avoiding side effects.

BBC: Shining a light on bowel cancer

Queen's University in Belfast has seen an increase in demand but the University of Ulster - while still well oversubscribed - has had fewer applications.

BBC: NI students choose local universities

Panos Lioulias, chief executive of Qubis, a venture-capital outfit that nurtures spin-offs from Queen's University in Belfast, thinks indigenous entrepreneurs are a big part of the remedy.

ECONOMIST: Northern Ireland's economy