23 January 2013
Café Science celebrates 5th anniversary with talk from leading researcher
Professor Irwin McLean, one of the UK's foremost skin disease experts, will next week deliver the latest Café Science talk in Dundee, five years to the day since the series' inception.
Professor McLean, Chair of Human Genetics, will discuss 'Eczema and Skin Disease - Fixing Faulty Genes' at Chambers Coffee House and Restaurant on Monday, 28th January. This will be the 93rd Café Science event since its launch in 2008, with more than 4000 people taking the opportunity to hear about the ground-breaking scientific research happening locally in that time
The popularity of these informal discussions led by leading researchers from the Universities of Dundee and Abertay, James Hutton Institute and across Scotland has helped to enhance public understanding of science, and topics ranging from sea-monsters to the search for E.T. have been covered.
In addition to the main series, Café Science Extra events are organised with a focus is on up-and-coming scientists working locally, as well as occasional guest speakers.
Many health-focussed talks that reach out to people affected by debilitating conditions have taken place, according to Dr Jon Urch, series organiser and Public Engagement Coordinator at the University of Dundee.
"It is fitting that our fifth anniversary should be marked by a talk from one of the UK's top researchers into little-understood conditions that cause discomfort or misery for thousands," he said.
"This shows the calibre of scientist working in Dundee, and how they are making a real difference to people's lives. Communicating this message and increasing the public's interest in science has been the aim of Café Science from day one and we're delighted with the success we've enjoyed over the past five years.
"We've covered a huge variety of subjects and shown to thousands of people how the research taking place here is relevant to them. Our average attendances have been steadily rising and we passed the 4000 mark in November. We have several more events taking place this year and are already looking to the 2013/14 series of talks."
One in six visits to doctor surgeries involves a skin condition but the study of our skin is one of the most neglected areas of medical research. Researchers at the University have a strong track record in uncovering faulty genes involved in skin disorders and more recently, in developing new treatments based on their discoveries.
Professor McLean's lab has discovered many gene defects causing both common skin diseases such as eczema, and rare skin disorders such as the skin blistering condition epidermolysis bullosa. He will outline recent advances in the understanding of skin conditions and the on-going efforts to develop better treatments during his talk.
'Eczema and Skin Disease - Fixing Faulty Genes' takes place at Chambers Coffee House and Restaurant at 7pm, Monday 28th January. Entry is free and open to all, and while the event is not ticketed people are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.
To celebrate Café Science's fifth birthday, five free drinks will be offered to the first five people to place orders on the night.
If you would like to suggest a topic or are interested in speaking at Café Science please contact cafescience@dundee.ac.uk.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
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