1 August 2004

Donation to Diabetes Research

Photo opportunity: 7 pm, Monday, 2 August, Camperdown Lodge, 1a Wellington Street, Dundee

Diabetes research at the University of Dundee is to benefit from the generosity of the local community following a Gala Day organised by Camperdown Lodge.

The members of Camperdown Lodge ran a successful Gala Day on 10 July in aid of diabetes research, specifically the research being undertaken in the laboratory of Professor Dario Alessi.

Mr Abbie Clark and members of the Lodge will present a cheque for £2,012 to Professor Alessi at the Camperdown Lodge at 7 pm on Monday, 2 August.

Dario is a Principal Investigator in the Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation Unit at the University of Dundee and leads a research team in biochemical studies of insulin-regulated signalling transduction pathways.

Dario discovered a key enzyme molecule called PDK1, which controls both the growth of cells and how they respond to insulin, a discovery that has implications for research into cures for both diabetes and cancer, and has received many prizes in recognition of his ground-breaking work.

Professor Alessi said "Diabetes is a very serious and debilitating disease affecting over ten thousand people in Tayside. Compared to other ailments such as cancer, funds available for research into the causes and treatments of diabetes are extremely limited. I would like to thank all those of the Camperdown Lodge who made a tremendous effort in their Gala Day to raise over £2000 that will enable us to perform research into understanding the causes of Type II Diabetes. It is a great privilege to receive support for our research from the local community of Dundee."

Established in 1826, Camperdown Lodge No. 317 was the 7th Lodge to be formed in the city of Dundee.

For further information please contact Abbie Clark on 01382 345830 or Dario Alessi on 01382 348058

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk