29 Feb 2016

Researchers identify mechanism of rare blinding disorder

Scientists have identified a key mechanism that damages the cornea in Meesmann epithelial corneal dystrophy, a rare blinding disorder which is passed from parents to their children. Researchers at the Universities of Dundee and Ulster, working with colleagues in Denmark, have discovered that faults in a gene that is responsible for corneal cell structure and stability lead to protein misfolding and cell death. Meesmann epithelial corneal dystrophy (MECD) is a rare inherited condition in which very small cysts (microcysts) form in the outer layer (epithelium) of the cornea. Symptoms include sensitivity to...

26 Feb 2016

‘NEW Wheat, NEW Mud, NEW Machine’ – new exhibition by Poster Club at Cooper Gallery

‘NEW Wheat, NEW Mud, NEW Machine’, a major new exhibition from Glasgow-based artists’ group Poster Club will open at the University of Dundee’s Cooper Gallery next month. The show stems from Poster Club’s participation in ‘CURRENT |????: Contemporary Art from Scotland’ at Shanghai Himalayas Art Museum. Curated by Cooper Gallery in collaboration with Chinese curators and organisations, CURRENT is a two year contemporary art exhibition and forum programme in Shanghai that showcases for the first time in China the distinctiveness of contemporary art made in Scotland ...

26 Feb 2016

Comics Club opens for next generation of artists and writers

Dundee Comics Creative Space (DCCS) will next week launch a new after-school workshop for aspiring artists and writers who dream of creating the next Desperate Dan, Ms Marvel, or Jake and Finn. The first Comics Club will take place at the DCCS studio in the Vision Building, Greenmarket, from 4.30-6.30pm on Tuesday, 1st March. The Club will take place each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The workshops are free and open to all, whether the youngsters are artists, writers or simply interested in learning about comics, and regardless of previous experience. All materials will be provided on Tuesdays, which ...

25 Feb 2016

Zoella revealed as UK children’s favourite author

The biggest annual study into British children’s reading habits, authored by the University of Dundee’s Professor Keith Topping, has revealed that the most popular book for secondary school children is ‘Girl Online’ by vlogger Zoe Sugg aka Zoella. Released today, ‘What Kids Are Reading’ reflects the impact of social media on children’s book choices, with Zoella’s 10 million YouTube subscribers helping ‘Girl Online’ to become the most popular book. The report from Renaissance Learning looks in detail at the reading habits of 725,369 children from ...

25 Feb 2016

Dundee Design Festival to take place at DC Thomson building

West Ward Works, the former home of DC Thomson’s annuals in Dundee, will host the first Dundee Design Festival this year. From 25th to 28th May, the former industrial building, one of Dundee’s most important historic centres for magazine and book production, will play host to a range of designers, businesses and design collectives for the Dundee Design Festival. The festival is a four-day celebration of design, marking the city’s first full year as the UK’s UNESCO City of Design. The festival will showcase design from Dundee, Scotland and internationally, through a large exhibitio...