24 Jan 2018

Dundee student named Young Plant Scientist 2018

A PhD student from the University of Dundee has been selected as Young Plant Scientist 2018 in the fundamental research category by the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO). Shumei Wang, based at the James Hutton Institute, was named one of two Young Plant Scientists for 2018, after she discovered a new pathway involved in infection by Phytophthora infestans, the pathogen responsible for potato late blight. Her work significantly improves the understanding of plant-pathogen interactions and may open new possibilities in the development of defence strategies. She will be present...

24 Jan 2018

Explosive research has implications for landmine clearing and fracking

Blowing up landmines and other undetonated explosives may be safer and more environmentally friendly than physically removing them from contaminated land, according to new research by the University of Dundee and partner institutions. Explosives can be a common soil contaminant at a range of sites, including military training facilities, manufacturing plants and post and current conflict zones. If these areas are to be brought back into productive use then they need to be cleared of the explosive and any toxic residue of explosives in the soil. The Dundee research, carried out in conjunction with an inte...

24 Jan 2018

£200,000 'Dragons Den' boost for cancer research

The charity Worldwide Cancer Research has awarded a University of Dundee researcher just over £200,000 to study ways to improve the use of chemotherapy. The research, led by Professor Anton Gartner, could one day help identify people who would benefit the most from a particular type of treatment. The award, which Professor Gartner secured after a 'Dragons Den' style meeting involving some of the world’s leading cancer researchers, will support two years of research at the University. Professor Gartner will be using microscopic worms, called nematode worms, to investigate ways to make chemothe...

23 Jan 2018

‘Reanimating Rabbie’ – rare film screenings for Burns Night

A free event at the University of Dundee this week will celebrate Burns Night with screenings of rare films from Scotland’s National Moving Image Archive.  The programme includes two rare animated films from the 50s and 70s, Tam o’ Shanter and Tam o’ Shanter Rides Again, as well as a rare 1933 silent documentary, Homes and Haunts of Scotland's Ploughman Poet Robert Burns. Silent screen pianist and composer, Steven Gellatly will provide live musical accompaniment. Honorary Research Fellow Dr David Robb will give a short talk on Burns’ ‘Tam o’Shanter’ and Crea...

22 Jan 2018

Fearless fourteen to freefall for ARCHIE Foundation

Child-nursing students from the University of Dundee will take a 10,000ft skydive later this year as they fundraise for the ARCHIE Foundation. A team of 14 students will make the jump on Saturday 9 June, 2018 in order to raise money for ARCHIE’s Tayside Children's Hospital appeal. All the donations they raise will go towards a new children's surgical day care unit, with two paediatric operating theatres. This new unit will not only double the current operating capacity in Tayside but it will also transform the experience of the 3000 children who need operations in Ninewells every year, by...