newsletter May 2010 News from the University of Birmingham newsletter Fingerprint for the future The research revolution that marries technology and mathematics with biology to make personalised medicine a reality. Imagine if you could remove any element of ‘This is quite simply a revolution in terms guesswork in medical treatment. If, instead of biosciences so it is very exciting,’ says of doctors having to experiment with different Professor Kevin Chipman, Head of the School drugs and dosages to determine the best of Biosciences. ‘The diverse expertise and course of action, there could be a guarantee cutting-edge technology we have at the of the right medicine for each individual patient. University is backed by a world-class clinical trials unit; a large, diverse local population, That is just one application of a major new and the new super hospital opening in 2010. research initiative at the University, bringing Having all these elements together makes together experts in Biosciences, Mathematics, us unique and we are aiming to build on this Computer Science and Medicine to improve platform to become world leaders in the field.’ disease diagnosis and treatment worldwide. Some of the different elements involved in Systems Science for Health (SSFH) uses SSFH are brought together through the Centre Professor Paul Moss, Head of the School of technologies known as ‘omics’ to measure for Systems Biology (CSB), an interdisciplinary Cancer Sciences. ‘All patients are different, concentrations of molecules in blood and research centre allowing colleagues to as are all diseases, and this allows us to tissues. The pattern, or ‘fingerprint’, of these work closely together. An investment of £1 characterise this in much more detail and molecules can then be used to learn about million – part of a raft of investment in areas precisely treat the individual. cells’ health. of outstanding research at the University – will create ten new research posts this year and ‘There are obvious major benefits to patients These techniques produce such huge amounts next, initially focused on cancer (specifically but there are also serious advantages for of data that bioscientists need mathematicians blood cancers), obesity and inflammation. medical professionals. Confirming the right drug and computer scientists to help to organise and combination and dosage quickly and accurately analyse it, creating information which can be ‘This system gives us a much more complete saves time and money and improves treatment used by medical professionals in real clinical understanding of cells’ health which helps outcomes, thereby benefiting the entire situations. hugely in diagnosis and treatment,’ says healthcare system.’ Continued on page 4. The reluctant Autism research A life less Archer’s legacy gathers pace ordinary page 4 page 7 page 11 2 University of Birmingham Newsletter Socialise online The fi rst word with alumni groups To help stay in touch with past students, the Alumni Excellence Offi ce now has offi cial groups on international networking websites will prevail LinkedIn and Facebook. in the face Using social media as a tool for networking is becoming a popular way for professionals to exchange information, ideas and of cuts opportunities with one another. Dr Russell Beale, of the School of Computer As Britain became the last of the G7 nations to emerge from Science, says: ‘What used to be called recession at the end of 2009, the muted celebrations took on networking, and in fact was someone sending you something you didn’t need or want and a further pallor for the country’s universities. couldn’t do much with either way, is now a platform for discourse and debate, providing Higher education funding cuts of more than To tackle our signifi cant funding reductions, opportunity and value.’ £500 million are casting a long shadow over we will need to save £10 million and earn the sector’s immediate future, with the spectre £10 million more per year. This will be achieved To become a member of these fast-growing of further cuts looming large. If government through increased income from postgraduate groups, register for free at www.linkedin.com plans reach fruition, universities will lose recruitment and research grants, alongside and search for the University of Birmingham almost £1 billion over the next three years, savings addressing underperformance Alumni and Friends group. You can also in the context of record increases in in some areas. These decisions are not register for free at www.facebook.com and student applications. painless, but surely necessary to achieve join the University of Birmingham Alumni our goal of being in the top 50 universities Offi ce group. But, standing sentry against the seemingly globally by 2015. all-pervading gloom, we have an ambitious strategy to save, earn and invest – always with All our investment decisions will be intrinsically an unwavering focus on sustainable excellence. linked to our intention to attract outstanding staff and students, regardless of their personal Investing in areas of research where the circumstances, increase our research funding University excels and could excel further, and signifi cance, and deliver an excellent we will create 100 posts in projects including educational experience. globally signifi cant infectious diseases, brain injury rehabilitation and nuclear energy. In the wake of the General Election results, higher education funding will undoubtedly Our £60 million Circles of Infl uence fundraising return to the spotlight but whatever lies campaign is closely linked with this investment. in store we will remain, as ever, resolute It will help the University make a real and lasting in our continuing pursuit of excellence. impact on global health and lifestyle, society, heritage and culture, and provide opportunity Professor David Eastwood to the leaders of tomorrow. Vice-Chancellor Magazine competition Keep in touch with your University winners Contact Rebecca Kilcullen or Jo Clark, Alumni Communications Offi cers Congratulations to the Tel: +44 (0)121 414 2789 two winners of the 2009 Email: [email protected] Birmingham Magazine competitions. Post: Development and Alumni Relations Offi ce, University of Birmingham, Patricia Winder (BSocSc Economics, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, England Politics and Sociology, 1970) solved our Sudoku challenge and John Nurcombe The views and opinions expressed in the UB Newsletter are not necessarily (MSc Pure Mathematics, 1978) won those of the Alumni Offi ce or the University of Birmingham. If you have the crossword competition. Both winners diffi culties reading any part of this publication, please contact us to will receive University merchandise. request a plain text version. University of Birmingham Newsletter 3 ‘Inmyview,it’seasytocriticise thecommercialisminvolved buttheWorldCupprovides excitementformanypeople aroundtheglobe.’ Football experts: Alumna Celina Hinchcliffe and the former On the ball: (l-r) Alumnus David Gill, Birmingham France international and World Cup winner Marcel Desailly Business School Director David Dickinson and broadcasting in Germany at the last World Cup Professor John Samuels And what of the England team’s chances? The wonder of the BBC sports broadcaster Celina Hinchcliffe (BA Drama and English, 1997) doesn’t think the controversy surrounding John Terry World Cup (recently stripped of the England captaincy) will affect the team’s performance on the pitch. ‘Terry will play his heart out and the team has Football fans all over the world are looking forward to the World plenty of leaders on the field but I think there Cup this summer and the competition raises many questions. are weaknesses in the spine of the team. The new captain Rio Ferdinand is looking What will the championship mean for its host country South vulnerable, as is Ashley Cole, and we don’t Africa, has it become too commercialised and what are have a regular goal keeper,’ she says. the England team’s chances? For Celina, the England manager Fabio Capello may be the key to England’s success. ‘Fabio We selected a team of experts from our ‘The government and FIFA are very aware of Capello has brought back discipline to the alumni and academic communities to security because the reputation of the country team. He has an incredible presence and the provide some answers. is at stake. They’re doing everything they can.’ players know who’s boss,’ she adds. South African-born Dr Keith Shear, a lecturer Birmingham Business School Professor Manchester United Chief Executive David Gill in the School of History and Cultures, believes John Samuels (BCom Industrial Economics (BCom Industrial Economics and Business the competition provides a great opportunity for and Business Studies, 1972 ), author of The Studies, 1978) agrees that Capello has the country to position itself as a premier tourist Globalisation of Football, says poor ticket sales had a positive effect. ‘I think England has destination and a place where people can will not be a disaster for the competition as it a very good chance. When it comes to other do business. is mainly a television event. countries, Sir Alex Ferguson is a much better authority on these matters and rates Brazil ‘A lot of hope has been placed on the 2010 ‘The current FIFA president Sepp Blatter has and Spain. However, it wouldn’t surprise me World Cup as a feel good moment to indicate been in charge for 12 years and has built if something unexpected happens and that’s the country is recovering from the economic the championship into a massive commercial the great thing about the competition,’ he says. downturn,’ he says. business event with global appeal for advertisers,’ he says. ‘ A lotofhopehasbeenplaced Ticket sales for the event have been affected by fans’ security concerns, heightened by the ‘In my view, it’s easy to criticise the onthe2010WorldCupasafeel attack on the Togo team during the African commercialism involved but the World goodmomenttoindicateSouth Cup of Nations, but Dr Shear believes they Cup provides excitement for many people Africaisrecoveringfromthe should not be too worried if they are sensible around the globe.’ and aware of their surroundings.