21 Jul 2014
RNA determination opens up the possibility of evolutionary discoveries
Researchers from the University of Dundee have defined the structure of a recently discovered enzyme, raising the possibility of learning more about the evolution of organisms over billions of years. Using X-ray crystallography, Professor David Lilley and a team from the Cancer Research UK Nucleic Acid Structure Research Group at Dundee’s College of Life Sciences were able to determine the three-dimensional structure and mechanism of action of the ‘twister’ ribozyme, discovered by scientists at the University of Yale earlier this year. While most enzymes are made up of protein, ribozyme...
18 Jul 2014
Chinese students to attend CASE Summer School
Photo opportunity: 12.30pm on Monday, 21st July at Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA). Dozens of Chinese students will visit the University of Dundee over the next month for an educational and cultural programme designed to encourage them to consider undertaking exchange or postgraduate studies in the City of Discovery. The University’s College of Art, Science and Engineering (CASE) is holding its first-ever Summer School between 20th July and 17th August, with around 30- 40 students attending from partner universities in China. The students, from 2nd and 3rd-year level, ...
18 Jul 2014
Genetic blueprint of bread wheat genome unveiled
The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) published today in the international journal Science a chromosome-based draft sequence of the bread wheat genome. This genetic blueprint provides new insights into the structure, organisation, and evolution of the large, complex genome of the world’s most widely grown cereal crop, and is the last step before a full genome sequence is reached. The sequence is an invaluable resource to plant science researchers and breeders. For the first time, they have at their disposal a set of tools enabling them to rapidly locate specific genes on indiv...
18 Jul 2014
Physicists reveal random nature of metastasis
The spreading of a cancerous tumour from one part of the body to another may occur through pure chance instead of key genetic mutations, a new study has shown. Physicists from the University of Dundee and Arizona State University have used a statistical model to show that the formation of a new secondary tumour—commonly known as a metastasis—could just as likely derive from “common” cancer cells that circulate in the bloodstream, as from “specialist” cancer cells. Their results, which have been published today (FRI) in IOP Publishing’s journal Physical Biology, c...
16 Jul 2014
Fulbright scholars to receive warm welcome at Consulate and CAHID
Photo opportunity: 10am-5pm on Thursday, 17th July. The US students will be seeing the work carried out at the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID). A reception will this evening be held at the US Consulate in Edinburgh for 10 American students currently visiting the University of Dundee as part of the prestigious 2014 Fulbright-Scotland Summer Institute. The undergraduates from across the United States are spending the day in the city learning more about Scotland’s unique legal and political system as well as its culture and history. They will then return to Dundee and spend...