1 Nov 2019

Historical ‘Poet’s Box’ shop relived for festival

A pop-up shop in Dundee’s Wellgate Centre, inspired by the Poet’s Box where Dundonians of yesteryear performed and printed their latest creations, will serve as the regional headquarters of a national festival taking place this month. The University of Dundee is the Scottish hub for Being Human, the UK’s national celebration of the humanities, which takes place from 14-23 November. The programme is built around the theme of ‘The Aquatic City’, with events showcasing the range of scholarship at the University. The Festival HQ, hosting a series of events in partnership with Du...

31 Oct 2019

Discovery may help derail Parkinson’s ‘runaway train’

Researchers at the University of Dundee have made a discovery they believe has the potential to put the brakes on the ‘runaway train’ that is Parkinson’s disease. The team, based at the Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC-PPU) in the School of Life Sciences, have discovered a new enzyme that inhibits the LRRK2 pathway. Mutations of the LRRK2 gene are the most common cause of genetic Parkinson’s. Enzymes are molecular machines that regulate the biological processes required to maintain healthy functioning life. They can also be targeted by ...

31 Oct 2019

University launches scholarship in honour of Dr Jainti Dass Saggar

The University of Dundee has launched a new scholarship in memory of an Indian student who went on to use his degree to help transform the lives of people living in Dundee, so much so that a street in the city is named after him. Born in Deharru, Punjab in 1898, Jainti Dass Saggar undertook a 26-day sea journey to study Medicine at University College Dundee (forerunner of the University of Dundee), arriving in the city in 1919, one hundred years ago. Graduating in 1923, Dr Saggar became a local GP. In 1931, he married a Dundonian woman Jean Quinn, and they had two daughters, Sheila and Kamala. Dr Saggar ...

30 Oct 2019

Puppies help students ponder paw-sitive possibilities

University of Dundee students will have the chance to paws for thought and consider how they can unleash their potential at a dog-friendly event on Wednesday 6th November. Students, staff and members of the public keen for walkies are invited to bring along their four-legged friends to a free, lunchtime event which includes a dog-walk to Magdalen Green, networking and dog treats. The Paws 4 Thought event, organised by Craig Reoch, Student Experience Co-ordinator at the University, will launch SWITCH – the Student Wellbeing Initiative Targeting Community Health. A new initiative aimed at removing ba...

29 Oct 2019

Reception honours contribution to cancer research

The achievements of Lady Fiona Fraser, who has helped raise more than £22 million for cancer research at the University of Dundee over the past few decades, have been celebrated by colleagues, scientists and members of the public. A reception in honour of Lady Fraser, who stepped down as Chair of the Ninewells Cancer Campaign earlier this year, took place at the Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre on Tuesday 29 October. Lady Fraser served the organisation firstly as a committee member then as Vice-Chair and, since 2011, as Chair, overseeing multi-million pound fundraising efforts to bring the best cancer sci...