7 July 2004

Necklace of the pulse protein

Photo opportunity of women scientists modelling the jewellery, 2.30pm, Thursday 8th July, Visual Research Centre, Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre, Nethergate, Dundee.

The UK's first 3D protein structure will adorn the necks of scientists at the University of Dundee tomorrow as women scientists model silver proteins in necklaces created by jewellers inspired by science.

Scientists from the University of Dundee will wear necklaces with an exact silver replica of the protein that regulates the electrical impulses of the heart to launch a new exhibition called "Pulse".

Dr Pauline Schapp, Dr Alison Cleland and Dr Elizabeth Farrell together with PhD student Ava Tiecke from the School of Life Sciences will model the stunning jewellery.

The exhibition, funded by both the University of Dundee and the Scottish Arts Council is the result of a collaboration between jeweller Sandra Wilson from the University of Dundee, jeweller Jivan Astfalck from the University of Central England and a scientist, Dr Bernard de Bono from the Medical Research Council in Cambridge. Sandra has taken real data of protein forms and through sourcing software from America has been able to produce models of these forms using a rapid prototyping machine.

Sandra got the raw data to put into the prototype machine from Dr Bernard de Bono at the Medical Research Council in Cambridge.

Sandra explained: "When I started looking at proteins during my undergraduate degree I contact Dr de Bono who was immediately interested and wanted to work with me to create a 3D protein with his real data. Previously my jewellery has been inspired by my own interpretation of how proteins loop and fold but now these pieces contain exact replicas of the proteins in the human body."

"This unique protein form could not have been created by handcrafted methods", says Sandra. "We have produced the proteins in silver with a rapid prototyping machine. I think they will be of great interest to the scientific community as well as the jewellery and craft world."

Sandra, a PhD student in contemporary jewellery design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design became interested in DNA and proteins in 2000 when the media was reporting the decoding of the human genome. She says: "All the stories and speculation on how genetic science was going to change our lives made me think further about nature and how artists and scientists make things, their creative process."

Sandra will showcase the jewellery and prototyped wax models showing the developmental process of the silver protein at "Pulse - the stuff of life" exhibition from 17th July until 1st August in the Visual Research Centre in Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre.

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