Research & Enterprise Services (RES)

Heriot-Watt Inaugural Lecture Series 2011-12

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Botox, Jellyfish and a galaxy of molecules 6th December 2011- Professor Rory Duncan Professor , School of Engineering and Physical Sciences   Cairn Lecture Theatre ,Postgraduate Centre 4.30pm - Refreshments 5.00pm - Lecture

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Abstract:

Twenty-five years of intensive research around the globe has delivered something unique in cell biology: we now know literally every protein required to catalyse the process of secretion in cells. The efforts of in vitro biochemists and electro-physiologists have delivered this prize; however, the real key to understanding a cellular event lies in determining the 'where' and 'when' of an event. More recently, and unusual collection including marine zoologists, molecular biologists, optical physicists and mathematicians has made it possible for the very first time to literally 'see' molecules in action in living samples. This lecture will provide a brief and colourful tour through the cell, explaining how a pacific jellyfish helps us understand how the brain works, as well as hopefully explaining why collaboration between seemingly diverse scientific disciplines is required to further understand biology.

 

Biography:

Rory Duncan started his scientific career as a research technician in the Human Genetics Unit at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. He completed a PhD in Ion Channel Biology in 1997 in the University of Edinburgh Medical School followed by post-docs in the University's Centre for Genome Research and Centre for Integrative Physiology Institutes. Since 2002, he has been an independent researcher, funded by successive Wellcome Trust Fellowship personal awards, then subsequently by grants from the Wellcome Trust, the MRC, EPSRC and BBSRC and STFC. A firm believer in the importance and value of inter-disciplinary research, he moved to Heriot Watt in November 2010, establishing the 'Life Science Interface Laboratory' at that time. This unique laboratory brings together every available molecular imaging approach under one roof; combined with sophisticated cell biological and biochemical analyses, the current work aims to answer fundamental questions in cell biology in close collaboration with the physical, engineering and mathematical sciences. Rory has made a substantial contribution to our understanding of regulated secretion in cells - this is the process where specialised cells, such as neurons or neuroendocrine cells, secrete messengers such as hormones (e.g. insulin) or neurotransmitters - as such, this is essential to normal physiology. Rory has published in the highest impact Journals including Nature. 

Please email to register for this event HWU-Lectures@hw.ac.uk