25 August 2004

Dundee cancer expert appointed to Scottish committee

A cancer expert from the University of Dundee has been appointed to the new Scottish Science Advisory Committee (SSAC) by the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE).

Dr Barbara Spruce is one of 17 individuals who will help to shape the future of science and technology in Scotland. The SSAC is an independent committee set-up in 2002, under the auspices of the RSE to provide independent advice to Scottish Executive Ministers on scientific issues of strategic importance. Under the ongoing chairmanship of the eminent physicist, Professor Wilson Sibbett, CBE, FRS, FRSE, its newly appointed committee will meet for the first time today (Wednesday 25 August) in Our Dynamic Earth where it is expected to plan its programme of work.

Leader of the Translational Cancer Research group at the University of Dundee, Dr Spruce has just recently published an exciting development in her work in a prestigious American oncology journal - Cancer Research. Barbara and her team have outlined their work on a new target for cancer treatment - the sigma receptor. It usually takes years to develop drugs for newly discovered cancer treatment targets. In this case, drugs that target the sigma receptor have been tested in humans for other medical indications, providing a potential fast-track to the cancer clinic.

Dr Barbara Spruce said: "I am delighted to have been appointed and feel very honoured to help serve the interests of the scientific community in Scotland through the work of this important committee. I am particularly committed to the practical implementation of research and, in the biomedical sphere, the delivery of discoveries from the bench to the bedside. Key to this mission is the transfer of technology to the commercial sector in order that prospective new therapies have the best chance of reaching patients on a wide scale. Partnerships between academia and commerce, whilst not only of great potential benefit to each other in terms of revenue generation, have the potential ultimately to deliver the best drugs - their common goal."

Of the 17 members, 11 are new appointments, with six members of the Committee being re-appointed for a second term. This scheduled refreshing of Committee membership is undertaken at regular intervals in order to promote a high level of new and innovative thinking and to ensure that the make-up of the committee remains well in tune with its evolving programme.

In its first term, following wide-ranging consultation and meetings with stakeholders throughout Scotland, the SSAC published Science Matters: Making the Right Connections for Scotland (January 2004), one of the most comprehensive overviews of the science-base in Scotland to date. In November 2003 its report: Why Science Education Matters, addressed key issues on the subject of supporting and improving science education in Scottish schools. The committee will now seek to consolidate its work, providing advice and recommendations to the Executive on the strategic priorities for the science base in Scotland, including prioritisation on expenditure.

The broadly based membership of the committee has been chosen by the Council of the RSE from over seventy high quality applications, received in response to public advertisements and widespread consultation. The membership encompasses a spectrum of expertise in science, engineering and technology, business, education and public engagement. Experts in their respective fields, the members who have been invited to take up these prestigious positions were selected on individual merit. The members will serve on the committee for up to two years.

The President of The Royal Society of Edinburgh, Lord Sutherland of Houndwood, KT, FBA, PRSE said: "The range of expertise and breadth of experience represented in the SSAC's membership make it a tremendous resource. I am delighted that, under the Chairmanship of Professor Wilson Sibbett, it will continue to offer the Scottish Executive robust, independent and valuable advice."

Professor Wilson Sibbett, CBE, FRS, FRSE, Chair of the Scottish Science Advisory Committee said: "I am delighted that we have been able to bring together such an outstanding group of talented individuals. The Committee membership includes persons having a wide range of backgrounds covering scientific interests, expertise, and experiences which, when taken together, should provide a balance of perspectives and views.

I am looking forward to working with the committee members on the challenges that lie ahead in providing recommendations relating to the policies and priorities in science that can be expected to help shape the future of Scotland."

Full membership of the SSAC is:

Professor Wilson Sibbett - Chair Scottish Science Advisory Committee and Wardlaw Professor of Physics, University of St Andrews

Professor Steven Beaumont - Director, Institute of System Level Integration

Professor Geoffrey Boulton - Vice Principal and Regius Professor of Geology, University of Edinburgh

Professor Muffy Calder - Head of Department and Professor of Computing Science, University of Glasgow

Professor Sir Kenneth Calman - Vice Chancellor, University of Durham

Professor John Coggins - Dean of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick - Chief Executive and Scientific Director of the Moredun Group

Professor Peter Grant - Head of School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh

Professor Peter Morgan - Director of the Rowett Research Institute

Dr Stuart Monro - Scientific Director, Our Dynamic Earth

Professor Richard Morris - Professor of Neuroscience, University of Edinburgh

Dr John Nicholls - CEO, Photonic Materials

Dr Barbara Spruce - Group Leader: Translational Cancer Research, University of Dundee

Professor Stuart Reid - Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology (joint position), University of Glasgow and University of Strathclyde

Professor Jonathan Seckl - Head, School of Molecular and Clinical Medicine & Professor of Medicine, University of Edinburgh

Professor Joyce Tait - Director ESRC Innogen Centre, University of Edinburgh

Chris van der Kuyl - Founder, President and CEO of VIS entertainment Ltd

Graham Wren - Director, Scotland, AEA Technology plc

By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk