THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH MAGAZINE VOLUME TWO ISSUE FOUR SUMMER 2001 EE DD iTiT the genetics issue Your Degree of Choice The University of Edinburgh offers a choice of over 300 degree courses and joint degree combinations. A choice not offered by any other university in Scotland - an unparalleled choice. A choice that you made. Now help someone else make that choice. Look us up at www.ed.ac.uk E D iTcontents The University of Edinburgh Magazine volume two issue four summer 2001 The genetics issue 14 22 THIS SUMMER issue of EDiT takes genetics42 as its theme. The recent publication of The Human Genome Project's landmark sequencing paper has provided scientists not only with exciting findings, but also with the basis of many years of research in a wide range of areas related to human health. Earlier this year, Edinburgh played host to the 6th Conference of The Human Genome 26 Organisation (HUGO), the first occasion on which it has met in the UK. The University 16 of Edinburgh’s strengths in genetics research ensured it was strongly represented at the conference, as well as on the organising committee. The range of genetics research ongoing at Edinburgh is reflected in articles by Professor Adrian Bird, on how a combination of 'blue skies' and applied research is pointing the way towards a possible treatment for Rett Syndrome; by 18 04 Professor Veronica van Heyningen on how modern genetics has revealed that the same set of highly conserved genes controls eye development from fruit flies to man; and by Professor David Porteous on the application of state-of-the-art Human Genome Project methods to the analysis of blood samples collected from families at high risk of schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder. COVER STORIES 08 EDINBURGH’S GENE POOL - an overview of genetic research at Edinburgh. Jennifer Trueland. 14 BLUE SKIES AT CHRISTMAS - understanding the causes of Rett Syndrome. Professor Adrian Bird. 16 LESSONS FROM IMPERFECT MIRACLES - the relationship between genetics and certain rare human eye conditions. Professor Veronica van Heyningen. 22 MENTAL ILLNESS - a ‘mayday’ response from genetics? Professor David Porteous. FEATURES 18 VARIETY SHOW - our genes define who we are and what we look like which is why we are all so wonderfully different. See for yourself. LETTER FROM EDINBURGH - Joseph Black on life as a student at the University 28 publisher 50 A SPIRITED OCCASION - Professor Ian Campbell recalls an evening when the ‘spirit’ of the Communications & Public Affairs, conversation was almost as important as the guests themselves. The University of Edinburgh Centre, 7-11 Nicolson Street, REGULARS Edinburgh EH8 9BE guest editor Richard Mellis for Pax Studio 04 EditEd - on the University news front. assistant editor David Eccles 13 OMNIANA - Old College’s crowning glory. design ExhibitEd - a gallery from the University. Neil Dalgleish for Visual Resources, 26 The University of Edinburgh 2001 No part of this publication may be The University of Edinburgh 33 LETTERS - from biology field trips to questionable Chinese meals. reproduced in any form without the © prior written consent of the photography 38 InformEd - for Edinburgh graduates world wide. publishers. Edit is printed on Tricia Malley, Ross Gillespie, environment-friendly low chlorine 40 Alumni Programme - what’s on at the University for all our graduates. content paper. Edit, The University Jonathon Littlejohn; Visual Resources, of Edinburgh Magazine, is published The University of Edinburgh twice a year. The views expressed in its columns are those of the advertising enquiries contributors and do not necessarily contact Communications & Public Affairs represent those of the University. 0131 650 2252 EditEd THE WINDS OF CHANGE THE UNIVERSITY has made a major commitment to protecting the environment by signing a three year deal to use electricity from wind power and small scale hydro sources operated by ScottishPower. Over forty five buildings owned by the University are now supplied with energy from these green sources, notably the Dun Law Wind Farm in the Borders and a fast flowing river in Galloway. The deal has led to a 40% reduction in the quantities of carbon monoxide emitted by the University and to considerable savings on electricity. Robin Harper, Rector of the University and Green MSP, has given the deal an especially warm welcome: “As a large organisation, we believe that we should be setting a good example for the rest of Scotland as well as the public sector, which has an important role to play in making renewable energy supplies a viable option for the UK.” PRINCIPAL APPOINTED TO THE CHANGING ROLE OF THE MEDIA HOUSE OF LORDS THE PRINCIPAL, Professor Sir Stewart THE AWARD-WINNING journalist and broadcaster Sutherland, has been appointed to the House Sheena McDonald explored the changing role of of Lords in the new non-party political list the media in the modern world in a keynote recently introduced as part of the lecture in February - “The Media We Deserve” - constitutional changes to the House of Lords’ part of the prestigious Edinburgh Lectures series. Jonathon Littlejohn membership. Only a few years ago, she said, the necessary This honour- the only one given in Scotland in qualities for successful journalism were deemed ‘a photograph this round- recognises Professor Sutherland’s plausible manner, a little literary ability ... and a rat- outstanding work across higher education and in like cunning ... to ferret out things people don’t want public service more generally. It is particularly to be known’. But, in the context of more immediate welcome that a senior university leader with technology, people seem to want to know less. wide experience and service in education and There’s a decreasing market for ferreters and, at the public life will be able to make his contribution same time, life on the road is becoming more to the debates and legislative processes dangerous Geneva Convention regulations are affecting both Scotland and the United Kingdom. increasingly flouted. What, she asked, is the Sir Stewart Sutherland became Principal of the journalist to do? Carry on bravely? Or become more University in 1994 and since then has combined entertaining? a formidable workload as academic leader of the Sheena McDonald was born in Dunfermline, Fife, University of Edinburgh, with major contributions and graduated from this University in 1976 before to public service. He was chairman of the gaining a postgraduate certificate in radio, film and Committee on Appeal Courts Procedure for the television studies from the University of Bristol. She then Scottish Office and more recently was Chair has presented such acclaimed news programmes as of the Royal Commission on the Long-Term Care ‘The World at One’, ‘Channel 4 News’, ‘The World of the Elderly. This Week’ and ‘International Question Time’ and, in 1995, she received the first-ever ‘Woman in Film and Television’ Award. 4 EDiT The University of Edinburgh News 2000 ALUMNA OF THE YEAR AWARD REMEMBER THE OLD BAG THE 2000 UNIVERSITY of Edinburgh/Royal Bank of DOWNSTAIRS Scotland Alumna of the Year is Rev Ruth Patterson, Director, Restoration Ministries, Belfast, and the first Graham Clark woman to be ordained a minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland. The award is made annually to a photograph former student for services to the community, ACCOMMODATION SERVICES have launched achievements in arts or sciences, in business, public a new series of hard-hitting and eye- or academic life. catching posters designed to encourage Ruth Patterson graduated BA in Spanish and Politics in good relations between students and their 1965 and with a Diploma in Social Work in 1966 from neighbours. One poster, urging students to Queen’s University, Belfast. After graduating in 1968 with remember to put their refuse out on time, a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of features a drawing of a bag of rubbish and Toronto, Canada, she returned to Ireland to work as the slogan “always remember the old bag Assistant Presbyterian Chaplain at Queen’s University. In downstairs”. 1974 Ruth Patterson graduated BD in Ecclesiastical Terry Cole, Director of Accommodation History with First Class Honours from the University of Services said: “The University is determined to Edinburgh. Two years later she was the first woman to be do everything it reasonably can to foster good ordained a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. relations between the student body and the In 1991 she became Director of the Restoration rest of the community. Particularly, in view of Ministries, a non-denominational charitable trust at the the large concentrations of students which forefront of promoting peace and reconciliation in have developed in recent years in some parts Northern Ireland. She is known internationally as a of the city, we have considered various ways peacemaker in action and a transformer of society. in which we could encourage students to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. “We decided to commission a series of striking posters highlighting possible areas of difficulty. These include fire and flood dangers, noise and refuse disposal. We believe in the cliché about a picture being worth a thousand words, and we are hopeful that this poster campaign will make a significant contribution to encouraging neighbourly relations in the city. We have received strong support for this campaign from various community groups.” DIXONS FUND NEW CHAIR DIXONS GROUP plc is to provide the financial support - £800,000 over three years - for a new Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University’s School of Management Studies. The new post was launched at a ceremony in Edinburgh attended by Wendy Alexander, Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Mr John Clare, Chief Executive of Dixons plc and representatives of the University on Tuesday 10 April.