8 Jun 2017

Sunlight discovery could be key to pre-cancerous skin condition treatment

The Great British Weather is among the nation’s favourite subjects of debate, mainly concerned with the perceived lack of sunshine, something which is easy to understand during a wet start to June. But it turns out, according to a research study led by the University of Dundee, even the sunlight we do get is enough to act as an effective medical treatment. Daylight Photodynamic Treatment is a technique which is increasingly being used in countries across Europe and in Australia. It uses visible light from the sun as the source of treatment. During treatment, patients wear sunscreen to protect themse...

7 Jun 2017

‘Everything You Wanted To Know About Evolution’ Café Science on 12th June

An evolutionary biologist from the University of Dundee has had his DNA scanned to find out more about who he is and will be discussing his findings at the next Café Science event. Dr David Booth, from the School of Life Sciences, will share what he has learned about his genes and how his academic background has helped him to understand the hidden story of his DNA on Monday, 12th June at Avery & Co, Dundee. Dr Booth said, “Genetically we are very much a great ape, but much has happened in the seven to 10 million years since we diverged from our chimp cousins. “My discussion will e...

5 Jun 2017

£3.5million of grants for Life Sciences researchers

Three researchers from the University of Dundee’s School of Life Sciences have been awarded grants totalling almost £3.5million to explore a range of subject areas. Professor Pauline Schaap has received a European Research Council (ERC) advance grant of £1.7million for her work exploring cell specialisms while Dr Constance Alabert was awarded a £1.1million ERC Early Career Stage grant to investigate the impact of DNA replication on epigenetics. Professor Paul Birch, a member of the School’s Division of Plant Sciences based at the James Hutton Institute, has secured two Biote...

5 Jun 2017

New crime writing course with a forensic twist to launch in Dundee

A new course that combines crime writing with forensic science will be officially launched at the University of Dundee this month. The MLitt in Crime Writing and Forensic Investigation course will start in September and is designed for anyone who has always wanted to write a crime novel. Experts from the School of Humanities and the Centre for Anatomy & Human Identification (CAHID) will come together to share their expertise and guide students through key aspects of crime, science and the law. This programme is unique to the UK and will provide students with modules in creative writing, the history o...

4 Jun 2017

University greets World Environment Day with fully compostable crockery

The University of Dundee has launched its ‘greenest’ cutlery and crockery to date, coinciding with World Environment Day on Monday, 3rd June. The move to new, fully compostable plates, glasses and coffee/tea cups and lids is a first for any university in Scotland. Plates, glasses, cups and lids can all now go in food waste bins while improved cutlery and plastic pots for desserts and sauces are 100% recyclable. Trudy Cunningham, Environment and Sustainability Officer at the University, said, “I am delighted we are the first institution in Scotland to purchase these fully compostable cup...