13 Jun 2017
Cerebral palsy champion calls for end to care gap
A University of Dundee PhD student has called upon the Scottish Government to develop and provide funding for a clinical pathway and services for adults with cerebral palsy (CP). Rachael Wallace from Alyth, who has suffered from the condition since birth, has petitioned the Scottish Parliament to improve the care for adults with CP. She is also calling for patients to contact her with their own experiences. Rachael, 26, who is studying for her PhD in Disability and Employment Law, said, “Cerebral palsy affects 15,000 people in Scotland, so it is not a local health board issue but a national is...
12 Jun 2017
‘Big Data’ resource raises possibility of research revolution
A group of UK scientists led by the University of Dundee have demonstrated how aggregating image data from laboratories all around the world has the potential to revolutionise scientific research. A team headed by Professor Jason Swedlow in the University’s School of Life Sciences has built the Image Data Resource (IDR), a public database that collects and integrates imaging data related to experiments published in leading scientific journals. This means that ‘Big Data’ from imaging experiments conducted by scientists all over the world that were previously too large and difficult to sha...
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...
