8 March 2007

Saturday Evening Lecture

6pm D'Arcy Thompson Tower Lecture Theatre, University of Dundee

Professor John Burn, an expert on genetics and the function of DNA will give the next in the acclaimed Saturday Evening Lecture series, held by the University of Dundee.

Professor Burn, from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne will speak on the discovery of the structure and function of DNA, the Human Genome Project and the capacity to control the development of stem cells. Our stem cells could, he argues, influence every aspect of human life from conception to the time of death. Yet there may still be more hype than reality. Will the promise be fulfilled? And do we know the price?

Professor Burn is Executive Director of the Northern Genetics Knowledge Park at the Centre for Life (www.lifeknowledgepark.org.uk). He co-leads a National Lottery funded project, the British Familial Cancer Record, which aims to develop a national register of families at high risk of cancer willing to support future research.

The lecture is free and open to everyone. There will be a drinks reception held afterwards, to which all are welcome.

For media enquiries contact:

Anna Day
Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: a.c.day@dundee.ac.uk