University of Leicester Newsletter

http://www.le.ac.uk JUNE – JULY 2003 JUNE – JULY

This Issue • Medical School Top in UK • Honorary Graduands • Probe into Major Diseases • Hero Worship MISSION TO MARS

An historic new chapter in the his- tory of the University of Leicester unfolded this month as a new British space odyssey began with the launch to Mars of the European Space Agency’s Mars Express Mis- sion, which is carrying the UK’s Bea- gle 2 lander probe. Beagle 2 took off on June 2 at 1845BST from Baikonur in Kazakstan – and is one of four international missions head- ing to Mars this year. It is due to land on Mars on Christmas Day 2003. The primary scientific aim of Bea- gle 2 is to search for evidence of whether life may have existed- or still exists-on or below the surface of NEW FRONTIERS OF LEARNING: University of Mars. Beagle 2 is equipped with Leicester space scientists Dr Mark Sims, left, and Professor Alan Wells have played a pivotal advanced scientific instruments and role in the Beagle 2 project on board the technology to look for signatures of European Space Agency’s Mars Express mission. lifeforms and to explore the geology Leicester Mercury and environment of the landing site. National Space Centre, co-founded Leicester scientists who have posi- The University of Leicester has by the University of Leicester. This tioned the University as one of played a major role in constructing team will work in collaboration with Europe’s leading academic centres the PAW instrument- the Position the Lander Operations Planning Cen- for space research. Adjustable Workbench – which rep- tre at the Open University, the lead “The international standing of the resents the ‘hands and eyes’ of Bea- organisation for Beagle 2. Physics and Astronomy Department gle 2. Positioned by a robotic arm, it A vital function of the control cen- is reflected in its winning the will examine and collect samples of tre is to test and verify all the com- Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher Martian rock and soil for analysis by mands sent to the probe, using the and Further Education nearly a the Open University’s GAP instru- engineering replica of Beagle 2 decade ago for world class research. ment -the Gas Analysis Package. which is mounted inside the Lander The University played a leading role Beagle 2 operations will be man- Operations Control Centre on a in establishing the £52million aged by University of Leicester scien- panoramic layout of the landing site. National Space Centre. This role is tists and engineers in the Lander Professor Alan Wells, Director of now further strengthened by obtain- Operations Control Centre at the the University of Leicester’s Space ing additional funding from the Mil- All rights reserved www.beagle2.com Beagle 2. Website: Research Centre said: “Our involve- lennium Commission to locate the ment in the mission to Mars is the Beagle 2 Lander Operations Centre More on Beagle 2 latest achievement in over 30 years’ in the University’s research facilities – see page 4 space exploration by University of at the National Space Centre.”

Online Bulletin updated weekly: http://www.le.ac.uk/press/ebulletin University of Leicester Bulletin Bulletin News June-July 2003

Medical School is top in UK PROBE INTO MAJOR DISEASES The University of Leicester Medical A team of academics at the Univer- their own grandchildren. only help medical scientists to devel- School has been rated as Britain’s sity of Leicester are to play a leading In the past, studies have only op new treatments, but it will also best school to study Medicine. It came top in the Guardian sub- role in a £45 million national study been able to take into account allow us to target health promotion ject league tables published last that could make a major contribution lifestyle issues, such as diet and more successfully and to give a clear- month – and the University of to our understanding of the causes of exercise, when predicting what fac- er message to people about what fac- Leicester also leads the country in common life-threatening and debili- tors may increase the risk of certain tors might substantially increase their terms of the level of its taught post- tating illnesses such as breast can- diseases. However, recent break- personal risk of developing a serious graduate provision according to the cer, diabetes, heart disease and throughs in the human genome pro- illness and what they might be able Financial Times. Alzheimer’s disease. ject, which have already identified to do to stay fit and healthy.” Some of the strongest teaching Leicester will host the administra- the function of many genes, mean Professor Nilesh Samani, British assessments in the country, signifi- tion centre for a consortium of seven that through simple blood tests the Heart Foundation Professor of Cardi- cant investment in facilities and a universities tasked with recruiting Biobank project will be able to study ology at the University of Leicester, is student completion rate few beyond Oxbridge can exceed has seen the 120,000 patients from GPs surg- participants’ genetic information as heading up Leicester’s clinical team University once again rated in the eries across the Trent, West Midlands well and to see how the genes inter- on the project. He said: “This is a Financial Times’ and Sunday Times’ and South West Regions. These act with lifestyle. bold step by the government and the group of 20 leading UK Universities. patients will become part of half a Professor Paul Burton, who is funding agencies – to follow the The University of Leicester Med- million people nationally who will based in the University of Leicester’s health and lifestyle of half a million ical School, founded in 1974, is have their genetic make-up and Department of Health Sciences and people over 15 years is a huge now among the biggest Medical lifestyles studied over a 15-year peri- Institute of Genetics, and who is undertaking. However, the end ben- Schools in the UK, following its od under the ambitious UK Biobank leading the team from Leicester said: efits of the project could be enor- partnership in 1999 with the Uni- project, being funded by the Medical “This is a very exciting study. It will mous and we look forward to work- versity of Warwick. Research Council, the Wellcome help us to tie together genetic infor- ing with the people of Leicester and Dean of the Leicester Warwick Medical Schools Professor Ian Trust and the Department of Health. mation from the human genome pro- the whole of Trent. By donating their Lauder said: “The Medical School By allowing the researchers to fol- ject with the major diseases that time, these volunteers could realisti- is delighted to receive this accolade low their health over this time, the affect our modern society. This will cally help us to pinpoint the causes which is a reflection of the enor- volunteers could be helping to save help us to understand how genes and of many common diseases – in short mous amount of hard work put in the lives of thousands of people in life style work together to make us they could help us to save thousands by everyone in the School.” generations to come – possibly even healthy or unwell. This should not of lives.” Having the last laugh Research presented by the Uni- DRUG USE IN FOOTBALL versity of Leicester reveals that humour can play a key role in The University of Leicester Centre “We undertook the survey a Sports Council survey in 1995 international business meetings – for Research into Sport and Society because it is widely recognised found that 75% of track and field and can influence the power-play has recently, with the cooperation of among anti-doping experts that the athletes had been tested during the within meetings. the Professional Footballers Associa- number of positive test results is a previous year, and only 16% A study by Dr Pamela Rogerson- tion (PFA), completed the first ever poor indication of the extent of dop- thought that they were not likely to Revell, of the University’s School of Education found that humour is an survey of drug use in English foot- ing in sport. Anonymous surveys of be tested in the next 12 months. important linguistic resource which ball. Using the PFA database ques- participants have, in the past, pro- • Almost 6% of our sample indicated can be used to include and exclude tionnaires were sent to all 2863 vided much more realistic estimates that they had been told in advance people – to the extent that members player members of whom 708, of the extent of drug use within sport. that they would be tested. This rep- at a meeting can subvert the meet- almost 25%, have so far replied. In this regard our survey provides a resents a clear breach of drug test- ing and even usurp the power of The responses were evenly spread more accurate picture of the extent of ing protocol. the Chair. between Premiership players and drug use in football than do the • 70% of players indicated that Her study of international busi- players in the three divisions of the results of the UK Sport/Football Asso- recreational drugs were used by ness meetings attended by man- Nationwide League, and the distribu- ciation testing programme. footballers and 46% of players per- agers of a large international organ- tion of responses from younger and The key findings of the survey sonally knew other players who isation provides a picture of what might happen behind closed board- older players, from regular first team were: had used them. 1 in 8 respondents room doors at international con- and fringe players, also indicates that • Although there is greater absolute estimated that 6% or more of play- glomerates. the respondents are representative of number of tests in football than any ers in the game used recreational Dr Rogerson-Revell said: “One professional players as a whole. other sport, the large number of drugs. commonly recurring interactive strat- Dr Ivan Waddington, Director of professional footballers means that • 50% of players indicated that per- egy in meetings was the use of the Centre said, “Considering the they are tested on average just once formance enhancing drugs were humour. The findings of the study delicate nature of the issues raised in every three years. 36% of respon- used by footballers and 5.6% of show that humour is present in all the questionnaire, this was a good dents had not been tested at all in players personally knew other meetings but the frequency and tone response rate. The number and dis- the last two years and 60% of play- players who had used them. 1 in of the humour varies. It appears that tribution of players who responded to ers felt that they were not likely to 9 respondents estimated that the humour is used strategically to show solidarity and power, particularly by the questionnaire enables us to have be tested in the next 12 months. proportion of players in the game the dominant ‘in-group’ of western, a good deal of confidence in the This compares unfavourably with using performance enhancing male participants.” results of the survey. the level of testing in track and field; drugs was over 3%. 2 University of Leicester Bulletin June-July 2003 People

University of Leicester Honorary Degrees

Thirteen celebrated people are to Ms Siobhan Davies, CBE be awarded honorary degrees by the (Doctor of Letters) University of Leicester at degree cer- A leading dancer and choreographer emonies between 9th-11th July in for London Contemporary Dance The- front of thousands of students and atre, Siobhan Davies made her first their families. piece, Relay, in 1972. She was The honorary graduands come named as one of six Creative Britons from across the UK and the USA, in 2000 and awarded a CBE in 2002. and from the worlds of theatre, Thursday 10th July broadcasting, journalism, music, sci- Morning: ence, medicine and education. They include two of the University’s most Professor Sir Martin Harris, CBE distinguished professors. (Doctor of Letters) Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Vice-Chancellor of the University of Burgess said: “We are delighted to Manchester, Sir Martin Harris began honour this group of people whose his academic career at the Universi- achievements have contributed so ty of Leicester in 1967, where he much to so many aspects of public lectured in French Linguistics. He life. They have all been distinguished received the CBE in 1992 and was in their respective areas of expertise knighted in 2000. and in many cases have established Professor John Matthews, DPhil, close links with the University and FRHistS, FSA, FBA the region. They are an inspiration to (Doctor of Letters) our students.” Professor of Roman History at Yale University, John Matthews is a former Recipients of the University of student of Wyggeston Boys’ Grammar Leicester 2002 honorary degrees are School (now Wyggeston & Queen Eliz- as follows: abeth I College), and a graduate of Wednesday 9th July Queen’s College, Oxford. He has been Morning: described as one of the leading schol- ars of the late antique world. Mr Anthony Howard, CBE (Doctor of Letters) Afternoon: A columnist and former Obituaries Dame Gillian Weir, DBE (CBE), Editor at The Times, Anthony (Doctor of Music) Howard received the CBE in 1997. Organist Dame Gillian Weir has per- His publications include contributing formed across the world with leading Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys (top); Sir Paul Nurse to The Baldwin Age (1960), editing orchestras and conductors. Also a (bottom left); Siobhan Davies (top right); Professor Sir Peter Bell and his wife, Anne (bottom right). the Crossman Diaries (1979), writ- broadcaster, teacher and writer, she ing Rab: the life of R A Butler is known for her virtuosity, musician- (1987), and contributing to Secrets ship and charisma. and maths education in the USA, she Research Campaign. In 2001 Sir Paul of the Press (1999). The Honourable Mrs Ann Brooks has long been an Anglophile as well. Nurse was jointly awarded the Nobel Mr Peter Preston (Doctor of Letters) (Doctor of Laws) Dr Adam Hart-Davis Prize for Physiology or Medicine, and Columnist and Editorial Director of A key figure in public life in Leicester (Doctor of Science) received a Knighthood in 1999. the Guardian Media Group, Peter and Leicestershire, Ann Brooks has A familiar face on television as the Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys, FRS Preston was a student at Loughbor- engaged in a variety of charitable enthusiastic presenter of the history (Doctor of Science) ough Grammar School. He has writ- works. She is the wife of the former series What The Stuarts/Tudors Did The Wolfson Research Professor of ten two books and is the recipient of Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire. For Us, Adam has been a freelance the Royal Society at the University of Leicester, Sir Alec Jeffreys discovered numerous newspaper awards. Friday 11th July photographer, writer and broadcaster since 1994. His publications include genetic fingerprinting in 1984 and Afternoon: Morning: numerous books on science, mathe- has been Professor of Genetics since 1987. He was knighted in 1994. Ms Patricia Hodge Dr June Scobee Rodgers matics and ghost stories. (Doctor of Letters) (Doctor of Science) Professor Sir Peter Bell, MD, FRCS Afternoon: Making her debut in Edinburgh in Wife of American astronaut R Francis (Doctor of Science) 1971 with No One Was Saved, “Dick” Scobee, who sadly died in the Professor Sir Paul Nurse, PhD, FRS Knighted in 2002 for services to Patricia Hodge won a Laurence Olivi- 1986 explosion of the Challenger (Doctor of Science) Surgery, Sir Peter Bell has been Pro- er Award for Best Supporting Actress spacecraft, Dr June Scobee Rodgers is Chief Executive of Cancer Research fessor of Surgery at the University of in 2000 for her part in Money. Film the founding Chairman of the Chal- UK since August 2002 following the Leicester since 1973. roles include Betrayal and The Ele- lenger Center for Space Science Edu- merger of the Imperial Cancer •Fuller biographical notes are on phant Man. cation. A lifelong promoter of science Research Fund with The Cancer eBulletin 3 University of Leicester Bulletin Bulletin News June-July 2003 From Here to Eternity...

The University of Leicester has Leicester programme on Beagle 2 played a key role in the development and the Lander Operations Control of Beagle 2 which is the first Euro- Centre team said. “Beagle 2 is pean lander to be sent to Mars. The equipped with scientific instruments Beagle 2 project is led by the Open to look for evidence of life: the pres- University, in partnership with the ence of water, organic residues University of Leicester and Astrium trapped inside Martian rocks or soil UK. The British National Space Cen- and the presence of tell-tale gases tre and the European Space Agency (the waste from living organisms in are also funding partners in Beagle the atmosphere). The PAW, designed 2. The Open University has provided at the University of Leicester repre- the science lead, and Astrium, which sents the eyes and hands of Beagle is the prime industrial contractor, has 2. Positioned by a robotic arm, the been responsible for the main PAW will examine and collect sam- design, development and manage- ples then deliver them to the Open ment of the Lander. The University of University’s Gas Analysis Package Leicester has undertaken the pay- (GAP) which will conduct the load and mission management roles detailed chemical analysis to look for as well as the development of the the sign of life. PAW and the X-ray Spectrometer “Amazingly, Beagle 2 weighs in at instruments described below. less than 30kg when it finally reach- Professor Alan Wells, Director of es the surface of Mars, with only the University’s Space Research 9kg, devoted to the instruments and ‘The designers and engineers involved in the Centre said: “The decision to control tools needed for the scientific analy- operations of the Beagle 2 Lander sis. This is the most ambitious exper- [Beagle 2] project have achieved an from Leicester has come as a real iment package in terms of spacecraft coup for the partnership between the mass ever attempted.” extraordinary feat. This is a testament to the University and the National Space The PAW is constructed around a UK’s strengths in engineering and world-class Centre. The Lander Operations Con- lightweight cast aluminium structure trol Centre will be located in the Uni- and its own set of control electronics scientific expertise.’ versity’s new Space Research facili- both designed and assembled at the SCIENCE MINISTER LORD SAINSBURY ties at the National Space Centre, University of Leicester. which consist of a satellite control Mounted on the PAW are: collection device – built by a con- construction of the Beagle 2 lander – centre whose activities can be shown •A Stereo Pair of Cameras to image sortium led by DLR (German Aero- including the University of Leices- to members of the public and school the landing site and identify nearby space Research Establishment) ter’s role in this project as one of the groups who visit the National Space rocks – provided by a consortium Koln. Principal Investigators. Centre. The Lander Operations Con- led by Mullard Space Science Lab- Scientists at the University’s Speaking at the Royal Society, he trol Centre will complement the Lan- oratory, University College London Space Research Centre also recreat- said: “The project involves a consor- der Operations Planning Centre •A Microscope to examine the ed the hostile environment found on tium of more than 100 academic which is based at the Open Universi- microscopic structure of the rocks Mars in their laboratory, with a institutions and industrial subcon- ty, where science operations plan- and soil – provided by the Max device known as the Martian Envi- tractors. The lander was built in an ning and analysis will take place, by Planck Institute for Aeronomy Lin- ronment Simulator (MES). The extremely short time, and to strin- turning the scientific plans into com- dau in Germany machine reproduces the tempera- gent specifications. The designers mand instructions for the spacecraft, •A Gamma-ray Mossbauer Spec- ture, air pressure and unbreathable and engineers involved in the project and ensuring safe operation of the trometer to measure the oxidisation atmosphere known to exist on Mars have met those challenges head-on lander on Mars by analysis of state of iron minerals in the soil in order to test equipment on the and come up with a series of innov- returned spacecraft data. and rocks – provided by the Uni- Beagle 2 lander. ative solutions.” “The University team will be versity of Mainz in Germany A model of the lander was shown “They have achieved an extraordi- managing the operation of this •An X-ray Spectrometer to measure to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh nary feat in designing an array of exciting mission, and we will be the elemental composition of the when he visited the Space Research advanced instruments, capable of doing it in the country’s only science rocks and soil – provided by the Centre at the University and her performing a series of precise exper- centre dedicated to space. Truly a Leicester team led by Professor Majesty the Queen also saw the iments, with their own power supply, case of bringing Space Science and George Fraser preparations and met with University protected for their journey to another University research to the wider •A Rock Corer/Grinder provided by representatives when she visited the planet by a unit not much bigger public and a good example of Hong Kong Polytechnic Hong City during her Jubilee Year. than a motorcycle wheel and weigh- partnership-in-action between the Kong, China with technical assis- Science Minister Lord Sainsbury ing less than 30 kilograms.” University of Leicester and the tance from Leicester based on a hailed the UK’s science community “This is a testament to the UK’s National Space Centre.” concept developed by TC Ng and more than 60 British companies strengths in engineering and world- Dr Mark Sims, who leads the •A Mole, a self burying drill and soil involved in the development and class scientific expertise. With the 4 University of Leicester Bulletin June-July 2003 News

of the Martian surface and send data to the Mars Express. •Systems, Engineering and Assess- ment Ltd (SEA), Beckington, Som- erset – Responsible for the main Processor for Beagle 2, which con- trols all the instruments on the lan- der so it can gather information. The processor works on very low power – the equivalent of two torch batteries. •QinetiQ, Farnborough, Hampshire – Developed the communications package for both the lander, Beagle 2, and the orbiter, Mars Express. •Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Oxfordshire – Carried out thermal testing for the lander, help- ing it to withstand the harsh condi-

All rights reserved Beagle 2. Website: www.beagle2.com tions of the Martian surface. •AEA Technology, Chilton, Oxford- cal activity using the innovative Gas shire – Provided the batteries to (Far left) the University power Beagle 2 and Mars Express. of Leicester Beagle 2 Analysis Package (GAP) developed team; (main) an artist’s by Professor Colin Pillinger’s team at The Beagle 2 lander is funded impression of Beagle 2 the Open University. through a partnership arrangement deployed on the surface The lander is also packing a suite involving the Open University, Astri- of Mars; (left) an artist’s um, the DTI, the Particle Physics and impression of Mars of instruments that will take pictures, Express orbiting the acquire geological information and Astronomy Research Council planet’s surface. study the weather, including temper- (PPARC), the Office of Science and ature, pressure and wind. Technology and the ESA, with the PPARC additionally providing part All rights reserved Beagle 2. Website: www.beagle2.com Beagle 2 is an integral part of the Mars Express spacecraft and many support for the mission instruments. experience gained and skills signs of life on Mars. It will be eject- of the instruments will work together Principal Investigators for Beagle 2 acquired through working on Beagle ed from the orbiter and parachute in harmony, reaffirming and corrobo- come from the Open University (Gas 2, UK firms have reinforced their down to the surface of the planet. On rating each other’s results. Analysis Package), University of reputation as sought-after partners in touchdown, it will deploy its robotic The many UK companies involved Leicester (Environmental Sensors international projects.” arm and paw which includes a mole in Beagle 2 include: and the X-Ray Spectrometer) and The Mars Express spacecraft, part to burrow into the ground and collect •Coda/SciSys, based in Chippen- Mullard Space Science Laboratory of ESA’s Horizons 2000 programme, soil samples. These will be analysed ham, Wiltshire – For developing the (Imaging Systems). is designed to take a payload of sev- for signs of past and present biologi- software for Beagle 2, enabling it to •More on Beagle 2 is featured in en state-of-the-art scientific instru- deploy solar arrays, record images eBulletin ments to orbit Mars as well as the Beagle 2 Factfile Beagle 2 lander. Making measure- ments in a number of ways, these •The total cost of Mars Express is 160mEuro and •It will land on Isidis Planitia -11.6 degrees N and instruments will tell us more about Beagle 2 is £45m. 269.25 degrees west- close to the Martian equator. the planet’s atmosphere, surface and •In December, the Beagle 2 is set to reach the Red •Beagle 2 weighs 65kg and is 0.95m in diameter. even its interior. UK Universities Planet. •It uses solar power to recharge its batteries. •It is attached to one side of the Mars Express •Beagle 2 will send back a musical signal consisting have made important contributions spacecraft underneath the umbrella of its heat of 9 digitally encoded notes to the UK, confirming it to three of these seven instruments. resistant shield. has arrived safely. The orbiter instruments will record •It will eject from Mars Express five days before •The first live panoramic pictures from Mars will be data for at least one Martian year, or reaching Mars and, as it has no propulsion system of beamed down direct to the control centre in Leicester 687 Earth days; Beagle 2 is its own, the angle of trajectory upon separation has and to the science team at the Open University. designed to work for 180 Earth days. to be accurate and is provided by careful alignment •During the mission – which it is hoped will last at The satellite will also carry a data of Mars Express prior to ejection. least 180 Martian Days (Sols), or ~200 Earth days •It will enter the Martian atmosphere travelling at – people will be able to watch scientists and relay system for communicating with Mach 31.5 – over 22,000 km per hour. engineers working at the £2million control centre. Earth, including the transfer of com- •During entry into the Martian atmosphere, the •It is the first time that a space mission will be mand and science data to and from Beagle 2 heat-protective shield may reach 2000 conducted in a science visitor centre open to the Beagle 2. degree centigrade. public. Beagle 2 is designed to look for 5 University of Leicester Bulletin News June-July 2003

PROBE INTO LINK BETWEEN CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION AND LOW BIRTHWEIGHT

The Universities of Leicester and equivalent of no more than four aver- tea and coffee. The study, which ment Obstetric and Gynaecology), in Leeds have been commissioned by age cups of coffee a day. The advice forms part of the Agency’s Risk consultation with Dr Mark Klebanoff the Food Standards Agency to study was based on the opinion of the Assessment Programme, started in (National Institute of Child Health the possible association between Committee on Toxicity (COT) on the January 2003 and is planned to and Human Development, NIH, maternal caffeine consumption and reproductive effects of caffeine. report at the end of March 2006. It USA). The Leeds team is headed by low birthweight. Unlike much of the previous involves a consortium between the Dr Janet Cade with support from Dr The Agency has commissioned research into the possible effects of Universities of Leeds and Leicester. Sara Kirk (Nutrition Epidemiology the study to reduce uncertainties in caffeine on reproductive health, the It will investigate a total of about Group). Professor Chris Wild of the the current risk assessment and pro- Agency’s new study is a prospective 3,000 pregnant women – it is esti- Molecular Epidemiology Group is vide a more robust basis for the study that includes biomarkers of mated that about 300 (10%) will collaborating on the laboratory mea- Agency’s advice to pregnant women caffeine intake and explores inter- deliver low birth weight babies. surements of caffeine. Professor Fred on caffeine consumption. individual variations in caffeine The Leicester team is headed by Kadlubar from the National Centre In October 2001, the Agency metabolism. Dr Marcus Cooke (Department Clini- for Toxicological Research in advised that pregnant women should In addition it will consider all cal Biochemistry), with clinical sup- Arkansas will act as consultant to the limit their caffeine intake to the sources of caffeine intake, not just port from Dr Justin Konje (Depart- team. HERO WORSHIP – GOOD OR BAD? Celebrity worship syndrome sug- science fiction fans, but affected up to cial bond with the celebrity. celebrities for intense-personal rea- gests that, although following a nearly 30% of the people sampled. High levels of are thought to sons are likely to be more depressed celebrity can be a positive influence Recent studies carried out by the resemble more social-pathological and anxious, whilst those who on people’s lives, in some extreme team suggest that there seem to be attitudes and behaviours that are held demonstrate high levels of celebrity cases people admit they would lie, three main dimensions to celebrity as a result of worshipping a celebrity. worship may well be solitary, impul- steal or worse if the object of their worship. Low levels involve following In a recent paper by the team in sive, anti-social and troublesome. admiration asked them. a celebrity for entertainment and the Journal of Nervous and Mental Dr John Maltby, University of These are some of the findings of social reasons, chatting with friends Disease, the authors reported find- Leicester Lecturer in Psychology, a new research programme conduct- and talking about the object of your ings that suggested that there might commented: “It has to be remem- ed by psychologists at the University admiration. be both positive and negative conse- bered that celebrity worship is not of Leicester in conjunction with psy- Intermediate levels of celebrity quences of following a celebrity. necessarily a bad thing. However, chologists in the USA. worship, by contrast, are charac- People who do so for entertainment our findings suggest that, like many Their findings also indicate that terised by more intense and person- and social reasons are also found to other behaviours, over-indulgence in celebrity worship is not just the remit al feelings, reflecting an individual’s be more outgoing, happy and opti- one thing may not always be good of teenage girls prone to idolisation or belief that he or she may have a spe- mistic. However those who follow for you.”

CHILDREN AND FASHION BACKPACKING FLAMINGOS

Many parents will be all too aware their families from different social Backpackers are notoriously diffi- Thanks to new funding from the of the importance that fashion can backgrounds in different parts of the cult to keep in touch with – Vodafone Foundation and the play in the lives of children and fam- country to study their clothing pur- nomadic, unpredictable, moving Darwin Initiative of the UK ilies. Many will have experienced chases over twelve months. At the long distances overnight, gathering government, researchers led by that sinking feeling when nothing end of their study they hope to in immense crowds and often only University of Leicester biologists Dr but the designer trainers, jeans, understand what motivates children contactable by means of expensive David Harper and Dr Brooks jacket or shirt will do, regardless of to choose the fashions they wear, communications systems. Childress will be able in 2003 to expense and sometimes of taste! how clothing purchases are negoti- The same is true – strange as it extend the project (started in October But why does fashion hold such ated within the context of the family may seem – of lesser flamingos, in 2002) to fit minute backpack influence over even quite young and something of the significance of particular four ‘backpacking’ males satellite transmitters on 4 more children? A team of University of clothing and fashion in different which in 2002 initiated a Universi- flamingos, to provide a solid base for Leicester sociologists has won fund- aspects of children’s lives. ty of Leicester, Wildfowl & Wetlands tracking their movements across ing from the Economic and Social Also by interviewing executives Trust & Earthwatch Institute primary feeding lakes in East Africa. Research Council to examine this from the children’s clothing industry research study. Although three birds This pilot study is being under- and other issues surrounding chil- the Leicester researchers hope to have faithfully ‘checked in’ regularly, taken to attempt to answer the dren’s clothing consumption. find more about the role design and one errant bird has gone missing many unsolved questions surround- Drs Christopher Pole, Jane Pilch- marketing play in persuading young with its communications equipment ing the lesser flamingo, Phoeni- er, Tim Edwards and Sharon Boden people what everybody and nobody in tow causing a flutter of activity in conaias minor, and thereby increas- are working with 6-11 year olds and wears – and why. tracking it down. ing its chances of survival. 6 University of Leicester Bulletin June-July 2003 People

Obituaries

The University has learnt, with replication machinery. process, designing the controlled ties, he was for several years after his regret, of the death of the following: Developments of this observation experiment that would test the cur- retirement in 1974 from the Leicester in his laboratory led to the discovery rent hypothesis. Early in his career a firm of Broughton and Jones a tutor Emeritus Professor Brian M Wilkins of a plasmid gene encoding DNA pri- referee assessed him as ‘interested, at the University of Leicester’s Vaugh- Brian Wilkins used genetics to study mase, an enzyme crucially involved original, ingenious and effective’: an College. He continued to teach mechanisms controlling the horizon- in the initiation of DNA replication. that perceptive description remained until he was in his mid-eighties, both tal spread of genes in bacterial popu- Wilkins and his colleagues estab- true throughout his career. He for the Department of Adult Educa- lations. His work was of great intrin- lished that the plasmid-specified pri- worked with a small team, often a tion at Vaughan College and for the sic interest as a study of complex bio- mase protein was transferred from technician and a PhD student, Workers’ Educational Association. logical phenomena, but also had the donor to the recipient cell during sometimes a single postdoctoral From the age of five, Jack Otter broader impact in revealing mecha- the bacterial ‘mating’ event, and that associate, but was able to make an had been fascinated by natural histo- nisms driving the spread of antibiotic- this could occur in the absence of internationally recognised scientific ry, an interest inspired in him by his resistance in bacterial populations DNA transfer. The importance of contribution over two decades. grandfather. One of Jack’s students, and events in important infectious these observations on plasmid-medi- His status in the field was well local naturalist Anne Kind, has diseases. ated protein export is emphasised by recognised. He received frequent remarked that it was his enthusiasm Brian was born in Cheltenham and the genetic homology between the invitations to speak or chair sessions for plants, birds and animals that brought up in Bristol, where he cognate transport proteins and com- at international meetings and to write made him such a good teacher. He attended Clifton College. He read ponents of secretion systems associ- reviews for leading journals. He was had a wealth of stories about his sub- Botany as a Neale Exhibitioner at ated with several clinically important also a very effective university ject, and a biography on him written Queen’s College, Oxford, graduating bacterial pathogens, including teacher, caring deeply about the wel- by Anne Kind entitled Come and See with second class honours in 1962. Legionella pneumophila, the cause of fare of his students and the quality of This, Folks, is a tribute to his remark- He was awarded a Christopher Welch Legionnaires’ Disease. their educational experience. He was able teaching. Scholarship to support his DPhil Wilkins’ interest in plasmid biology an effective and painstaking adminis- In 1977 he was awarded the research on genetic recombination in and horizontal gene-transfer fuelled a trator and had an integrating influ- honorary degree of Master of bacteria, under the supervision of E A continuing study of the genetic inter- ence on his beloved Department of Science from the University of Bevan. During his postgraduate train- actions between the plasmid and the Genetics while acting as Head of Leicester in recognition of his ing he attended a course in Naples recipient cell, in which the newly Department from 1996 to 2000. services to adult education. on the genetics and physiology of transferred DNA encounters a poten- Brian Wilkins had productive inter- He is remembered with respect bacterial viruses that had a lasting tially antagonistic environment. He actions with a wide circle of profes- and affection by those who knew influence on his scientific interests pioneered the studies that have sional colleagues in Europe, Australia him. Sympathy is extended to Jack’s and his experimental design. shown that the first few plasmid and North America, whom he widow, Jean and to their only son After a brief period at Queen Mary genes transferred are immediately referred to as his ‘friends’. He was Don and his wife Sandra. College, London, Wilkins joined the expressed in the recipient cell to pro- magnanimous in his relationships laboratory of Paul Howard-Flanders duce proteins that help to protect and and seemed constitutionally inca- Professor R F M Wood in the Radiobiology Laboratories, Yale establish the incoming DNA in the pable of making enemies. Surgeon-scientist and teacher University School of Medicine, as a hostile environment. Plasmid-encod- W J Brammar Professor Richard Wood, who was postdoctoral research associate. ed proteins block host-specific degra- (Brian Michael Wilkins, academic recognised internationally in the Howard-Flanders was a British-born dation (‘restriction’) of the incoming and research scientist: born Chel- fields of transplantation and vascular geneticist who was established DNA, inhibit the potentially suicidal tenham, April 3, 1939; Assistant surgery, died on Friday, April 11. He amongst the international network of ‘SOS’ response and augment a poten- Lecturer and Lecturer, Queen Mary joined Leicester University’s Medical scientists interested in the mecha- tially limiting host protein that is nec- College, London, 1965-66; School in 1974 as a Lecturer and nisms of replication, recombination essary for DNA replication. The rele- Research Associate, Radiobiology was promoted to a Senior Lectureship and repair of DNA molecules. Togeth- vant plasmid genes are expressed in Laboratories, Yale University School in 1977. He left the University in er with Dean Rupp and others, they a transient burst by a mechanism of Medicine, USA, 1966-69; Lectur- 1981, and continued his work as a published several important papers that unusually involves utilisation of er, Department of Genetics, Universi- surgeon with a special interest in on the replication and recombination the single-stranded transferred DNA ty of Leicester, 1969-80; EMBO kidney transplantation at Oxford of bacterial DNA that had been dam- as the template for RNA polymerase. Research Fellow, Max-Planck-Institut University, St Bartholomew’s aged by UV irradiation. Wilkins’ most recent studies, in col- für Molekulare Genetik, Berlin, Hospital London and, finally, at In 1969, Wilkins was recruited by laboration with biochemical col- 1980; Senior Lecturer, University of Sheffield University. Bob Pritchard to join the emerging leagues, involve exploration of the Leicester, 1980-96; Reader, 1996- new Department of Genetics at the hypothesis that the single-stranded 2000; Personal Chair in Microbial Mr R Starbuck University of Leicester. There he con- DNA folds into a unique secondary Genetics, 2000-2003. Head of Roy Starbuck, formerly a Porter at tinued to work on processes related structure that creates a temporary Department of Genetics, University this University, died on Wednesday, to DNA recombination, with increas- template for RNA polymerase. Repli- of Leicester, 1996-2000. 1972, May 1. Mr Starbuck joined the Uni- ing emphasis on the role of plasmid- cation of the transferred strand in the married Susan Hollom; one son. versity in January, 1973 and worked borne genes in the transfer of DNA recipient would necessarily destroy Died April 7, 2003, Leicester) as a Porter at Digby Hall until his between bacterial cells. As early as this special secondary structure and retirement in November, 1993. 1975 he produced evidence for a self-limit the burst of gene-expression. Mr J Otter Donations in his memory can be sent genetic interaction between certain Wilkins’ approach to laboratory County naturalist Jack Otter died on c/o A J Adkinson & Son, Funeral plasmid genes and host genes encod- investigation was reflective and care- April 4, 2003, aged 93. Among his Directors, 12 London Road, Oadby, ing components of the cellular DNA ful. He relished the planning teaching commitments for universi- Leicester, LE2 5DG.

7 University of Leicester Bulletin PhotoStop June-July 2003

(Left) Lord Attenborough, pictured on campus next to a painting of his father, Frederick Attenborough who was a former Principal of the Univer- sity College. Lord Attenborough was filming for a documentary on his life. (Top inset) A carnival atmosphere of close to 5,000 fans aided a fast and furious game of eight tries in the sec- ond Varsity match at Welford Road. They also helped to create a new Guinness World Record – by downing around 900 half pints of Everards best bitter. (Far left) A number of University of Leicester academics are involved with television programmes – among them is Head of English Professor Elaine Tre- harne, who worked with Eddie Izzard for a programme on English identity. In his own inimitable way he will be filmed speaking to people in Old Eng- lish, a skill he owes entirely to Elaine Treharne, who spent three hours giving him a crash course. (Bottom left) Pupils as young as nine recently experienced life at the University of Leicester – at the request of their schools. A total of sixty chil- dren as well as their parents and teachers visited the University and were involved in tours, practical ses- sions and advice talks. The initiative is part of the University’s Widening Participation programme where chil- dren from a variety of backgrounds experience University life, particularly if they are the first generation in their families thinking of university. (Left) Dr Patrick Clay, of the Univer- sity of Leicester Archaeological Ser- vices, holds a bronze handle from an Iron Age tankard. Leicester archaeolo- gists were involved in investigating the largest ever hoard of Iron Age gold and silver coins ever to found in Britain. In excess of 3000 coins were discovered in Leicestershire.

Bulletin

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