‘Cystic Fibrosis: The Lung Ranger Project’ – Café Science Extra on 8th October

Published On Fri 3 Oct 2014 by Grant Hill

A team of Dundee students who are developing a device to help combat some of the effects of cystic fibrosis will talk about their work at the next Café Science Extra event in the city.

The iGEM team spent the summer developing the `Lung Ranger’, which they hope will allow faster and more targeted treatment of infection for CF patients, and will talk about their work at Dundee Science Centre from 6pm on Wednesday, 8th October.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common inherited disease in the UK, affecting over 10,000 people. About 1 in 25 of the population in the UK carry a mutation in a gene called CFTR. This gene mutation makes it hard for the body to efficiently fight off infection by bacteria, particularly in the lungs. Currently, it takes 2-3 days to identify pathogens in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients.

The Lung Ranger project focusses on producing a device that detects chemical signatures produced by the most serious bacterial infections. Such a device will increase the speed with which infection can be diagnosed, potentially cutting waiting times from days to just one hour. This rapid diagnosis of infection status would also allow faster and more targeted antibiotic treatment, improving the lives and care of patients.

“We are delighted that the iGEM team will be sharing their work with us,” said Café Science organiser Dr Jon Urch. “The purpose of Café Science is to engage with the public and promote science to a new generation so it is fitting that this talented and enthusiastic young team drawn from across several disciplines will be leading this event.”

iGEM – the International Genetically Engineered Machine competition – asks students to tackle a real world problem by designing and building a new device or system from a kit of biological parts. Last year Dundee won the European leg of the event and scooped two further prizes at the World Final in Boston.

This year’s team comprises 10 undergraduates – Dave Burrell (Computing Science), Gillian Forsyth (Mathematical Biology), Scott McCrimmon (Plant Sciences),  Roddy McNeill (Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery), Jessica Martyn (Microbiology), Dimitrios Michailidis (Molecular Microbiology), Aleksandra Plochocka (Mathematics), Robyn Shuttleworth (Mathematics), Fatima Ulhuq (Pharmacology) and Jenny Wood (Molecular Microbiology).

Café Science was launched in January 2008, and has attracted over 5000 visitors since then. The monthly events are informal discussions led by leading local researchers that allow members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the ground-breaking science happening locally.

Café Science Extra allows members of the public to meet with up-and-coming scientists from the Universities of Dundee, St Andrews and Abertay, the James Hutton Institute, and Dundee Science Centre.

‘Cystic Fibrosis: The Lung Ranger Project’ takes place at Infusion coffee shop, Dundee Science Centre, at 6pm on Wednesday, 8th October. Doors open at 5.30pm, and the event is free and open to all. There is no need to book in advance but an early arrival is recommended.

More information is available at www.cafesciencedundee.co.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
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E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
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