The socieTy of biology magazine ■ issn 0006-3347 ■ socieTyofbiology.org Vol 60 no 1 ■ feb/mar 2013 'People have cast me as a sort of snarling attack dog. Which i'm not'

an eXclUsiVe inTerVieW WiTh RIChARD WINNER bEST MAGAZINE DAWKINS DESIGN

REPORTAGE OPINION bIOGRAPhy PARADISE LOST PARLIAMENTARy DEbATE WILLIAM ALFORD LLOyD Protecting wildlife Should there be more The man who brought in Mozambique scientist MPs? aquariums to Britain New from Garland Science

The Molecules of Life by John Kuriyan, Boyana Konfoti and David Wemmer provides an integrated physical and biochemical foundation for undergraduate students majoring in biology of health sciences. The book integrates fundamental concepts in thermodynamics and kinetics with an introduction to biological mechanism at the level of molecular structure. 1,032pp • 900 illus • £53.00 • Pb: 978-0-8153-4188-8 www.garlandscience.com/tmol

Introduction to Bioorganic Chemistry and Chemical Biology by David Van Vranken and Gregory A. Weiss is the first textbook to blend modern tools of organic chemistry with concepts of biology, physiology, and medicine. With a focus on human cell biology and a problems-driven approach, the text explains the combinatorial architecture of biooligomers (genes, DNA, RNA, proteins, glycans, lipids, and terpenes) as the molecular engine for life. 478pp • 603 illus • £48.00 Pb: 978-0-8153-4214-4 www.garlandscience.com/bioorganic-chembio

Physical Biology of the Cell, Second Edition by Rob Philips, Jane Kondev, Julie Theriot and Hernan Garcia takes key cell biology experiments through a quantitative treatment to demonstrate how models can help refine our understanding and prediction of biological phenomena. Updated for the latest developments and now in full color, the second edition includes two new chapters on photosynthesis and pattern formation. 1,057pp • 742 illus • £53.00 • Pb: 978-0-8153-4450-6 www.garlandscience.com/pboc2 Thebiologist the SOCIetY OF BIOLOGY MAGAZINe

Volume 60 No 1 February/March 2013

Contents 28

16

24

IN ThIS ISSuE

10 Science in parliament 22 unhappy hunting ground News Should there be more scientists Wildlife security consultant Peter in parliament? Our panel Coals describes his experience 4 society news of experts debates the pros battling poaching in Mozambique. 38 member news and cons. 42 branch events 24 Who was… William 44 branch news 12 The right chemistry Alford Lloyd? Elizabeth Granger explains why Ray Ingle looks into the life of the collaboration between disciplines little-known entrepreneur who Regulars Cover photo: Richard has been key to her work on introduced public aquariums to Dawkins by Will Amlot 3 nelson’s column motor proteins. the UK in the 19th century. 8 Policy update 15 biofeedback 16 Richard Dawkins 28 Thinking big 22 32 spotlight The evolutionary biologist talks Conservationist Dr Richard about his most important work, Campen explains how the 34 reviews his career so far, and the future of Government’s latest conservation 47 crossword human evolution. policy can work in practice. 48 final Word

Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 1 the BIOLOGISt Vol 60 No 1 February/March 2013 Contacts

EDITORIAL STAFF Allan Jamieson BSc PhD CBiol FSB Society of biology Director of Membership, Marketing Catherine Jopling BSc PhD MSB Charles Darwin house, and Communications 12 Roger Street, Susan Omar BSc PGCe CBiol MSB MRSPh FRGS Jon Kudlick London WC1N 2Ju Editor Leslie Rose BSc CBiol FSB FICR MAPM tel: 020 7685 2550 Sue Nelson Fax: 020 3514 3204 Managing Editor [email protected] tom Ireland MSB ADvISORy PANEL www.societyofbiology.org [email protected] Ian Clarke, horticulture Research International, UK Communications Assistant Clive Cornford, Unitec, Auckland, New Zealand Views expressed in this magazine are Karen Patel AMSB Sharon Grimster, BioPark, UK not necessarily those of the editorial [email protected] Board or the Society of Biology. Marios Kyriazis, For membership enquiries call 0844 858 9316 Biogerontologist and anti-ageing physician, UK [email protected] © 2013 Society of Biology Alan Lansdown, Imperial College London, UK (Registered charity no. 277981) For subscription enquiries call 020 7685 2556 Walter Leal Filho, [email protected] hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany The Society permits single copying Don McManus, Bancroft Centre, Australia of individual articles for private study or research, irrespective of where EDITORIAL bOARD Peter Moore, King’s College London, UK J Ian Blenkharn MSB FRSPh the copying is done. Multiple copying Brian Osborne, Australia of individual articles for teaching Phil Collier MSc PhD CBiol FSB FLS Fhe John Scott, University of Leicester, UK purposes is also permitted without Cameron S Crook BSc MPhil CBiol MSB MIeeM FLS Robert Spooner-hart, University of specific permission. For copying or Rajith Dissanayake MSc PhD FZS AMSB Western Sydney, Australia reproduction or any other purpose, written permission must be sought from Catherine Duigan BSc PhD FSB FLS Kathleen Weathers, Institute of the Society. exceptions to the above are John heritage BA DPhil CBiol FSB ecosystem Studies, USA those institutions and non-publishing

Sue howarth BSc PhD CBiol FSB Steve Wilson, Pfizer Animal health organisations that have an agreement or licence with the UK Copyright Licensing Agency or the US Copyright Clearance Centre. Access to the magazine is available online; please see the Society’s

AStROBIOLOGY MARS AND BeYOND website for further details.

Thebiologist exploratory robot curiosity has been acquiring data t from the red plane MISSION since august. The Biologist is produced on behalf TO MARS explains of the Society of Biology by researcher Dr Louisa J Preston the latest thinking from the only field of the life sciences yet to prove its Think Publishing Ltd. A WINDOW subject matter exists: astrobiology in 1965 shattered these imaginings ef a n Menday 6 August at lush Earth-like werld. Instead, we were 6:31am GMT, a cheer faced with a recky place scarred by 124-128 Barlby Road Oresenated areund the werld impact craters, like the Meen. as we teek a giant leap ferward in The first landers sent te Mars by understanding whether there is life NASA drilled the message heme, with elsewhere in the selar system. NASA’s images ef a barren landscape, cevered car-sized, nuclear-pewered Mars in red dust and scattered recks. These London W10 6BL Science Laberatery rever, Curiesity, landers, Viking 1 and 2, are the enly gracefully landed en the dusty spacecraft ever sent te anether planet Martian surface. Its primary missien specifically leeking fer signs ef alien is te determine whether there are er life. They turned up ne cenclusive signs ON ThE LIFE have been habitable envirenments en ef bielegical activity and Mars became the red planet. the werld we think ef teday: a celd, www.thinkpublishing.co.uk Curiesity, a rebetic planetary nearly airless planet, bembarded with geelegist, was sent te Gale Crater, a hestile radiatien. 154km-wide impact crater feund just Hewever, ebservatiens ef ancient seuth ef Mars’ equater. Here, minerals river deltas by these landers led te the such as clays and sulphates were feund theery that, altheugh petentially lifeless ferming layered recky eutcreps, er new, Mars was ence a land with flewing 020 8962 3020 strata, at the base ef a 5km high water and perhaps an ecean. Significant meuntain rising frem inside the crater. ameunts ef water, as ice and within The slepes ef this meuntain are gentle hydrated minerals, exist in the tep eneugh fer Curiesity te trundle its way surface layer; and, lecally, liquid water up ence its initial 98-week missien is emerges frem the greund and flews SCIENCES cemplete. Tegether with infermatien briefly befere freezing er evaperating. gleaned frem the crater fleer and the This indicates that in the past, Mars basal layered depesits, it will enable had an envirenment reminiscent ef the scientists te learn abeut the Earth, and as such had cenditiens envirenmental cenditiens that have cenducive te life. Scientists are Astrobiology is all about existed in the crater and whether these intrigued by the pessibility that life in Design cenditiens weuld have faveured life. the ferm ef micrebes may have gained the hunt, the Ultimately, it can alse tell us whether a held in ancient times en Mars, when it discoveries, the erganic melecules essential fer life was wetter and warmer, and petentially the dead SA. MARINE MAMMALS ends and the NA are preserved here. THAMESstill SURVEY exists deep in the subsurface at The questien ef whether there is life undergreund springs er beneath challenge to en Mars, er indeed anywhere eutside imagine Alistair McGown The Biologist si a bi-monthly magazine the ice caps. Earth, is ene ef the last great wenders other forms BIOLOGISt / 17 ef humanity. Since the 1900s, pepular Neighbourhood watch of life Vol 59 No 5 / the culture has spread the idea thatin Mars 2012, over 400This seals search fer life, net selely fecused en was an inhabited planet, crisscressedwere spotted Mars, in the Thamesis the cernerstene ef a fast- by canals ef liquid water built byestuary an and offgrewing the Kent and and exciting field ef the Zoological Society carries out an essex coasts, including th Production editor annual ‘moult count’, counting the

(published six times per year) that carries BY CREATED RENDERING CONCEPT advanced civilisatien. Mariner 4’s flyby ese tasked with carrying out post mortems grey seals at leigh-on-sea. animals when they are out of the on marine mammals stranded on the BIOGRAPHY / Vol 59 No 5 water, shedding their summer coats. / the BIOLOGISt UK coast. These examinations provide 16 This gives ZSL the best estimate of the MAHIEU NATHALIE invaluable information on causes of total number of seals. death, disease, contaminants, the full richness and diversity of biology. Using both boat and aerial surveys in reproductive patterns and diet. This Clare harris 2012, over 400 seals were spotted on provides useful baseline data to help sandbanks in the Thames estuary and detect outbreaks of disease or unusual off the Kent and Essex coasts. This increases in mortality. reveals larger numbers of seals in the ZSL’s work provides valuable data area than have ever been recorded. for seal conservation and enables alex zalewski In addition, the ZSL seal tagging is Tidal Thames Sub editor Science is brought to life with stimulating and scientists to advise on the location of programme uses GPS technology to conservation potential marine conservation zones in track seals and provides information on Project intern at the south-east. ZSL relies on the the location of haul out sites, feeding the zoological involvement of the general public, who society of london. grounds, diving patterns and seal raise awareness of the marine he is a recent movements. Ongoing analysis of this mammals in the Thames and issues graduate of the authoritative features, while topical pieces data is likely to reveal information vital msc marine Sian Campbell related to their conservation. for their conservation. environmental Thankfully, Sammy the seal is a great The numbers of animals sighted are protection

ALEX ZALEWSKI representative and has helped ZSL encouraging, and the Thames has programme at identify where most human-seal bangor University. re-established itself as an important allowed the river’s diverse fauna to interaction occurs, and in turn ZSL has habitat for marine mammals. return: over 120 fi sh species have been the majority reported around the advised on best practice for viewing Publisher discuss science policy, new developments However, the Thames remains a found in the Thames, including carp, Docklands area. these wonderful creatures without thriving metropolitan river, eels and seahorses. But, unbeknownst causing them harm. supporting the expansion and to many Londoners, the river contains Sammy sightings The Thames development of London and, as such, several species of marine mammals, The Thames Marine Mammal Survey Enlisting the public’s help Marine continues to endure a range of such as harbour and grey seals. has received over 650 reports of the Undertaking regular scientifi c Mammal pressures that affect the John Innes or controversial issues. Aimed at biologists Harbour seals have established observations of almost 1,000 animals, monitoring of the Thames throughout Survey has environmental health of the river. colonies in the mouth of the estuary including ‘Sammy seals’, harbour the year is expensive. The public and received High levels of shipping, industrial and can often be spotted further porpoises and bottlenose dolphins. frequent Thames users, be they over 650 activity, pollution and coastal upstream, regularly venturing into commercial or recreational, present Marine mammals have been seen reports of the development all represent risks to the central London. One seal in particular – along the entire tidal stretch of the an opportunity to collect data that condition of the Thames and the known locally as ‘the Docklands seal’ river, reaching 55 miles upstream to observations would otherwise be unobtainable. wildlife it supports. Harbour seal [email protected] everywhere, its straightforward style also or, more commonly, ‘Sammy the seal’ – Teddington in south-west London. of almost By improving public interest, ZSL populations in the UK have also been has achieved celebrity status in the Seals make up over 75 percent of total 1,000 hopes to increase the number of people affected by the phocine distemper virus waters around Canary Wharf. sightings of marine mammals in the animals, scanning the Thames for marine (PDV). In 1988, PDV killed 48 percent survey, providing ZSL with information spotted along mammals and thereby gather more The ambiguity of the name ‘Sammy’ of the harbour seal population in conveniently covers uncertainty as to its on the health of the seal population. the entire information and increase England, and a second outbreak identity, as this superstar seal, attracted Seals are particularly well suited to tidal stretch understanding of the creatures. This makes it ideal for educators and students at claimed another 22 percent in 2002 Vol 59 no 5 ■ December 2012 by the wilful or accidental donations of this kind of survey as they spend a will also develop the public’s confi dence of the river (SMRU, 2004). Seal numbers in the nearby Billingsgate fi sh market, has signifi cant amount of time on land and ■in socieTyofbiology.org species identifi cation – in 39 percent England have shown signs of recovery ■ issn 0006-3347 been spotted in many guises, both male often interact more confi dently with biologistof sightings the public were unable to Thesince, socieTy but the of deaths biology of thousands magazine of The determine seal species, and confi dence and female, grey and harbour. ‘Sammy’ humans than cetaceans might. seals led to the creation of the UK is not a lonely seal lost in London; since Through these sightings ZSL is able to is limited further when identifying Cetacean Strandings Investigation 2004, ZSL’s Marine Mammal Survey identify haul out sites – areas where porpoises and dolphins. Non-member rates: £116.00 all levels, as well as the interested amateur. Programme (CSIP). has recorded an impressive list of public seals choose to rest, breed and Major gaps in our knowledge exist A partnership between ZSL, the mammal sightings in the Thames, with socialise, such as the sandbanks near regarding trends over time and Natural History Museum, Marine Southend. As well as public sightings, potential changes in the composition Environmental Monitoring and the of the Thames marine mammal Scottish Agricultural College, CSIP is community. We are lucky to have such extraordinary wildlife in the Thames, SEALSPOTTING but we still know relatively little about how to recognise the two main UK seal species at a it. We need a greater understanding glance LOOKINGof the size and health FOR of the marine LIFE ON mammal populations, and how these REFERENCES common seal animals use the river and estuary. Kowalik, R. Seahorses and Pipefi sh in the ISSN 0006-3347 Public sightings, such as Sammy the ƒ ames Estuary harbour seal, provide information crucial in www.london21.org/ porpoises, securing a future for these river page/35/show/1291 Head Profile (2007). Head Front Submissions of interesting and timely bottlenose mammals. So if you see a seal, you Submerged Back dolphins and SMRU. Scientifi c know what to do. Report 1999-2004. seahorses have all Sea Mammal grey seal been seen in the Research Unit. river Thames in www.zsl.org/uk-europe www.smru.st- 22 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 59 No recent years. www.facebook.com/ andrews.ac.uk/ 5 documents/SMRU_

zslmarineandfreshwaterconservation CAMM MARTIN articles, short opinion pieces and Scientifi c_Report.pdf Head Profile (2004). Head Front MARS Submerged Back 21_BIO_59_5_THAMES_SEALS.indd 22-23 New horizonsDo yoU haVe an oPinion in astrobiology Advertising in The Biologist represents on This arTicle? CONTACT US AT BIOLO GIST SOCIETYOFBIOLOGY.ORG Vol 59 No 5 / THE BIOLOGIST letters are welcome. Articles should be / 23 an unparalleled opportunity to reach 04/01/2013 10:17 aimed at a non-specialist audience and a large community of professional The socieTy of biology magazine ■ The issn 0006-3347 ■ biologist socieTyofbiology.org convey your enthusiasm and expertise. Vol 59 no 3 ■ aUgUsT 2012 biologists. Instructions for authors are available A buG'S on the Society of Biology website or on LIFE For advertising information contact INTERvIEW request from the editorial office. tV entomologist tom tiffin, [email protected] Dr George McGavin Contact [email protected] shares his passion for insects Ian Carter, [email protected] bOTANy bIOLOGy WEEK ANIMAL bEhAvIOuR MISTLETOE ThE PANDA DEbATE Are Christmas 020 7183 1815 SERIAL KILLERS Choosing which kisses under threat? Th e police technique species to save used to track sharks

26/11/2012 14:28

00_BIO_59_5_COVER.indd 1

2 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 Nelson’s Column

hysics may have Professor Interestingly, the book Dawkins conservation projects “bigger, better Brian Cox but biology has considers his most significant work is and joined” can work in practice. enjoyed its own poster boy not the one that first springs to mind. Our ‘Who was…?’ features are (or should that be poster Editing The Biologist always brings always popular, often unearthing little man?) for far longer. something new to my attention. This known individuals. Ray Ingle chose PProfessor Richard Dawkins is one issue it’s a job I didn’t know existed: a William Alford Lloyd, a Victorian of the few living biologists with wildlife security consultant. entrepreneur who increased the UK’s widespread name recognition and Conservation biologist Peter Coals awareness of aquatic conservation in it’s easy to understand why. Since has worked as a wildlife security the 19th century by introducing public the success of his first popular consultant in Africa and, on page 22, aquariums (page 24). science book, The Blind Watchmaker, he shares his experiences dealing Finally, it’s good to hear from almost 30 years ago, Dawkins was with poachers, illegal traders and Elizabeth Granger, winner of the New hitting headlines when Cox was still driving a car with a pangolin as a Researcher prize at the Society’s in short trousers. passenger. It may have reinforced my Science Communication Awards. Professor Decades later and he continues to suitability for a predominantly desk Liz describes how inter-disciplinary Richard share his understanding of genetics job, but his account is also a collaboration has had unexpected Dawkins and is also uncompromising and fascinating glimpse into the reality benefits in her laboratory, on page 12. was hitting unafraid to share his views – be they and difficulties of wildlife Collaboration across the sciences is headlines on religion or evolutionary biology. conservation in Mozambique. nothing new, of course. Francis Crick when Brian This forthright approach may have Another example of conservation studied physics, James Watson was a made him somewhat of a Marmite on the ground can be found on page zoologist and Rosalind Franklin a Cox was character in public, but I suspect for 28. Dr Richard Campen, from chemist. As 2013 marks the 60th still in short readers of The Biologist it’s more love England’s Peak District National anniversary of their discovery of the trousers than hate, and you’ll definitely enjoy Park, is a regular contributor to The structure of DNA, we’ll be paying our managing editor’s exclusive Biologist. This time he examines how tribute to this achievement in our interview with him on page 16. the Government’s plans to make next issue.

sue nelson, editor

Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 3 charles Darwin Society news house.

Get Set… Demonstrate! Top honours for Society Society AGM members coming up DAVID HATFULL, DIEM PHOTOGRAPHY DIEM HATFULL, DAVID and Fellows This year’s AGM will take place on Thursday 2 May 2013 at Charles r Miles Parker FSB, Essex primary science Darwin house, London. Professor James Prosser Professor Martin humphries DFSB and Vivienne Heys will provide the Charter Lecture, MSB were all recognised in teacher scoops award followed by lunch. It will start at 11:30 January’s New Year Honours list. (with refreshments from 11:00). Dr Parker is director of he inaugural Society of and – a bit like the man from Del strategic evidence and analysis Biology Primary Science Monte – he says yes,” she said. Attendance and voting at DEFRA and was awarded an TTeacher of the Year prize has “We have signed onto Mission X: We make Up to two representatives from OBE for services to improving been awarded to Kulvinder Johal Train like an Astronaut (a six week lessons as each Member Organisation of Government science. Professor (pictured) from Northbury Junior fitness and nutrition challenge) practical the Society can attend the AGM. he Society is launching a Prosser, personal chair in School in Barking, Essex. which I am very excited about and however, just one representative nationwide search for science microbiology at the University of The award, presented at a which the whole school will work on.” and hands- from each full Member Organisation Tdemonstration videos as part The team behind the competition Aberdeen, was awarded an OBE meeting of the Association for Society chief executive Dr Mark on as is entitled to vote, and supporting of National Science and Engineering is searching for demos that other for services to environmental Science Education in Reading, Downs said: “Kulvinder is an we can Member Organisations may not Week 2013. science departments will be inspired science. Miss Heys, departmental recognises Kulvinder’s outstanding experienced primary school teacher vote. Members from all grades are The British Science Association to follow with safety and confidence. superintendent at the Royal and inspirational teaching of currently working with a Year 6 entitled to attend, but only those at is teaming up with the Society The top-rated demonstrations will The team is Veterinary College, received a biology within the primary school class. She is making a real difference member grade MSB and above are of Biology and other partners to be transformed into high-quality searching British Empire Medal for services curriculum. As winner, she also to the self-esteem and learning eligible to vote. generate a wave of inspiring science free video resources for other for demos to higher education and animal receives one of the AstraZeneca of her pupils. She has helped the practical demonstrations in UK teachers and technicians. health. She is also chair of Science Teaching Trust Primary school gain two Primary Quality Agenda secondary schools. To find out more and to that others the Society’s Beds, Essex & Science Awards. Marks, including silver for science.” ■ Welcome and minutes The best entries to Get Set nominate a video, visit www. will be Herts branch. Kulvinder, who confessed to being “I enjoy teaching science,” said ■ CeO report Demonstrate by teachers or britishscienceassociation.org/get-set inspired to Jon Kudlick, director of shocked and amazed at the honour, Kulvinder, “and want the pupils to ■ Receive and approve council’s follow technicians will win a prize for Get Set Demonstrate has been membership, marketing and paid tribute to the school’s head. “My enjoy lessons so we as a school make EDUCATION and committees’ reports their school. Nominations must be funded by The Gatsby Charitable communication at the Society, head teacher is very supportive and I them as practical as we can and as AWARDS ■ Confirmation of honorary received by 1 April. Foundation. said: “We are delighted to see can go to him with ideas and thoughts hands-on as we can.” treasurer and honorary secretary our Fellows and members, ■ Receive and consider the annual and so many areas of science, report and accounts Society makes hay in brussels he Society’s senior science represented on the New Year ■ Appoint auditors and authorise Tpolicy adviser, Barbara Honours list. Biologists make Leading bioscience council to fix their remuneration Knowles, recently visited the lasting contributions to science ■ AOB (notified in writing at least european Commission and science education, and it is teachers shortlisted 48 hours in advance to the chief in Brussels. rewarding to see he finalists of the Society’s short case study which highlights executive) The Society sponsored a their work Higher Education Bioscience how they have enhanced bioscience seminar addressing how to halt recognised.” TTeacher of the Year Award student learning. These case to attend, please register via the decline of europe’s 2013 have been announced. They are: studies will be made available on mySociety (https://myaccount. hay meadows. Professor Tim Birkhead, University the Society’s website following the societyofbiology.org). Professor barbara The meeting resulted in a range James of Sheffield; Dr Anne Goodenough, announcement of the winner at the Alternatively please write to Knowles of recommendations to ensure Prosser fsb University of Gloucestershire; Dr Jane Heads of University Biosciences Natasha Neill at the address found attending the european countries deliver the becomes Saffell, Imperial College London; (HUBS) learning and teaching Spring on page 2. Information on voting hay meadows eU policies put in place to protect an obe. Dr Elizabeth Sheffield, University of Meeting in April 2013. and current council vacancies has meeting in hay meadows. See the Society Manchester; and Dr Chris Willmott, For more information please visit been circulated to all members and brussels . website for a full report. University of Leicester. the website, www.societyofbiology. Member Organisations. The finalists will now produce a org/HETeacherOfTheYear

4 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 www.societyofbiology.org/newsandevents www.societyofbiology.org/newsandevents Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 5 SOCIetY NeWS LIFe SCIeNCeS CAReeRS CONFeReNCeS/SIR COLIN SPeDDING/BIOLOGY WeeK/tRAVeL GRANtS

Every year the Society awards travel grants Society travel grant to young biologists, enabling them to carry out fieldwork or attend winners announced conferences abroad We’re getting he Society is pleased to The grant winners are If you are a Student Affiliate, set for biology announce the winners of undertaking a diverse range Associate (AMSB) or Member Tthe Autumn 2012 travel of projects around the world. Each (MSB) then you can apply for one of Week 2013 grants. They are Charlotte Forbes, Charlotte is heading to Madagascar student the next ten £500 grants. Kimberley Smith AMSB, Samuel to investigate African swine fever received The deadline for applications is ollowing the success of the Logan AMSB, Sienna Gray and virus, while William is travelling to £500 the 29 March 2013 and full details first ever Biology Week, the William Joyce. Each received £500 Denmark to research the functional are available on the Society’s website FSociety is pleased to announce to support them on an overseas significance of the undivided heart at www.societyofbiology.org/ a lecture held during that Biology Week 2013 will take biology project. in turtles. travelgrant last year’s conference at leeds University. place from 12-18 October. In October last year, members, companies, universities and schools osie slade, who was awarded Josie holds a organised a range of events for Ja travel grant in february green-throated Life Sciences Careers audiences from young children 2012, describes her experience mountain gem to professional scientists. in honduras. hummingbird. The Society also arranged a “Last summer I travelled to Conferences 2012-13 series of events including a world the Merendon Mountains in record attempt and a parliamentary north-west Honduras. I worked he Society’s Life Sciences Key messages from speakers reception. alongside a research organisation Careers Conferences were for graduates to be flexible, We are keen to hear from anyone called Operation Wallacea, and Twill again head to three to research organisations and to who would like to get involved. planned to study the effects of universities across the UK in 2013 network. Although times are tough, An external working group is forest disturbance on jewel scarab after last year’s successful events. the UK life sciences industry currently being set up to help develop event beetle populations. Over 500 delegates attended the has a £50bn turnover and more than collaborations and partnerships. “Unfortunately, when I arrived conferences at the University of 4,000 companies, so jobs do exist. For more information about I discovered the jewel scarab Birmingham, Queen’s University Speaker presentations are available at Biology Week 2013, please contact population had plummeted since Belfast and the University of Leeds. www.societyofbiology.org/lscc [email protected] last year, and there weren’t even enough to base my research on. I knew I would witness pro-vice-chancellor of the university. Sir Colin received many deforestation, and we’ve all ObITuARy He contributed in many ways to academic and civil honours, and seen on television swathes of Sir Colin Spedding agriculture, but in particular animal he was knighted in 1994. He will cleared forest, but when I saw The new welfare. He became everybody’s be missed. A service for Sir Colin for myself the vastness of the website hon FSb 1925-2012 favourite chair for tricky committees sir colin published will take place on Friday 22 March destruction, I couldn’t quite The Second Mouse aims to help eading agricultural academic thanks to his sense of humour and Gets the Cheese, a in Reading Minster of St Mary the believe my eyes. I even witnessed the teaching Land former editor of The tolerance, but also because he was book of proverbs, Virgin, Reading, at 11:00. trees going down as we trekked community lefT: The level of destruction at the operation Wallacea site Biologist, Professor Sir Colin always on top of his brief. in 2005. alan malcolm fsb between camps. is clear to see. beloW: During a light trapping one evening Spedding, passed away just before Early in his ninth decade he “With so little time to find learning Josie was lucky enough to see a jewel scarab which is endemic to honduras, Chrysina spectabilis. Christmas, aged 87. confessed he had retired from redesign the experiment, I resources Colin was one of the loveliest five committees that year. When I changed the focus of my study men I have worked with. He had a congratulated him on taking things from jewel scarabs to dung delightful puckish sense of humour easier, his eyes twinkled… and he beetles – functionally important and fun which he would deploy at admitted that he had accepted the to the ecosystem and great just the correct moment. chair of seven new ones. Remaining indicators of habitat health. I For someone who held such fit until well into his seventies, he hope to show with my completed a wide variety of posts, Colin’s regularly walked from Paddington to results how varying levels of origins were hardly propitious. He South Kensington – never taking the forest disturbance affect their left school at 14 without much in tube and never, ever a taxi. His garden abundance and diversity. the way of paper qualifications. in Hurst, Buckinghamshire, backed “This time last year, when my Like many of his generation, World onto a primary school, and he loved to university supervisor suggested War II changed his horizons. invite pupils to see his experiments. that I could go anywhere and After three years in the Royal He published books not only on study anything, I found it hard to Navy, he joined the Grasslands science, but also jokes and ideas for believe. Now, having undertaken Research Institute, leaving to school children. He was President of the most challenging, rewarding become professor of agriculture The Institute of Biology from 1992 to and eye-opening expedition of my and horticulture at the University 1994 and chaired the editorial board life, I feel I can achieve anything I

of Reading. He went on to become of The Biologist for several years. PUBLISHING HOUSE ROTHAY put my mind to.”

6 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 www.societyofbiology.org/newsandevents www.societyofbiology.org/newsandevents Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 7 investment decisions. The Natural Capital Declaration is a commitment by over 41 financial institutions to start to integrate natural capital considerations into business strategies, financial products and services. Policy update The declaration was launched at Rio+20 in June 2012, and shows the recognition by many in the sector that virtually every economic activity the Society wants in agriculture has asked for expert has an impact directly or indirectly to champion the opinion on its report ‘Feeding the on natural capital. Subsequently, importance of Future – Innovation Requirements for financiers should be working with research and Primary Food Production in the UK environmentalists to value and use development in to 2030’, which discusses how the UK it sustainably if they are to protect agriculture and food production can best use technologies and value their bottom line. The UN Principles through our policy ecosystem services in food production. of Responsible Investment is another work with special Preventable food waste must also demonstration of this progressive interest groups be addressed to ensure long-term food shift in the attitudes of institutional and task forces. security. For producers and suppliers, investors, as they begin to prioritise the Natural Capital this means reducing pest damage in the impact of ‘environmental, social Initiative (see right) after rio+20 many financiers provides a forum the field and post-harvest storage, pledged to work with and governance (ESG)’ issues on for informed and improving transport, packaging environmentalists to use their investment portfolios. discussions on how and longevity of food post-processing. natural capital sustainably. an ecosystem There is also waste in the home, with Effects of degradation approach might be implemented in consumers creating an estimated The Natural Capital Leaders practice, while the 7.2 million tonnes of food waste each Platform was set up by Cambridge UK Plant Sciences year. The Government’s 2011 Review Ecosystems University to enable non-financial Federation of Waste Policy sets out a series of Should the sector companies with a global focuses on plant actions designed to help move towards are regularly influence to address the impacts of science research a zero waste economy in England. under- natural capital degradation on their including that priced on Food for thought relevant to tackling businesses, customers and wider food insecurity in natural world balance society. The members have agreed Sustainable provision While food in the UK is plentiful, 40% of what the UK and abroad. All of these initiatives are set against sheets to a statement of intent to operate We regularly a background of EU legislation that their businesses within the natural we eat is imported, so what is the Government respond to makes up the Common Agriculture limits of ecosystems, and to identify doing to safeguard production and ensure a Government stay priceless? long-term, sustainable supply? consultations on Policy (CAP), established in 1957 to and address the way their business CAP reform and increase agricultural productivity, Governments across the globe are beginning impacts the environment. related themes, stabilise markets and ensure a fair In November, the NCC chair, cience and technology has of staple foods rocketed and 36 such as the standard of living to producers. to assess the economic value of natural Professor Dieter Helm CBE, commercialisation played a crucial, and in the countries experienced food crises. The CAP is due for reform in identified the need to align all of research. products and processes and incorporate them SUK, largely successful, role At least 40% of the total food we We need the 2013, and aims to simplify payments this public and private progress in feeding the growing populace. consume in the UK is imported, expertise of our to farmers, promote growth and into policy decisions in the UK. The NCC will work Certainly, in the West, we have access and we have a further reliance on members – to be employment, support young farmers directly with the Government to an abundant, diverse diet through imports for animal feed for our informed of our and encourage uptake of agri- n the UK, environmental leaders make decisions in monetary units, Office of National Statistics and activities and get a combination of home-grown and livestock. The UK must plan to involved, our email environmental initiatives. However, are pioneering a process of and it is precisely because of this the corporate accounting bodies imported foodstuffs. Food supply is safeguard domestic food production, newsletters carry the detail of the reform has been I ‘natural capital accounting’ that the essential contribution of (ACCA and ICAEW) to facilitate underpinned by predictable weather and enable research that applies regular updates. highly contentious for farmers and where the value of ecosystems and ecosystems and their biodiversity to a transition in how we perceive patterns and the ready availability of equitably overseas. environmentalists, and the European their services are embedded into our society and economy is so often growth. The Economics of water, land and fuel. But emerging Parliament is currently working its national accounts as a component under-priced on balance sheets. robert Pollard, Ecosystems and Biodiversity natural capital new threats and pressures demand way through 7,500 amendments. of total wealth. To support this, (TEEB) also recently assembled a Security measures initiative intern. innovative strategies. The Government has released several The food security problem the UK recently appointed the The private sector The natural coalition of global business leaders There is a growing consensus that consultations in this area. The is by no means fixed, and DEFRA Natural Capital Committee Some of the more forward thinking capital initiative who recognise how depleting the the ‘perfect storm’ highlighted by the Department for Business, Innovation governments must be willing to (NCC) – a group of ecological and private companies across the world is a partnership ecosystems and resources their Government’s chief scientific adviser and Skills has gathered evidence act on recommendations from economic experts who will help the are also increasingly recognising between the companies depend on can lead to Sir John Beddington – a rapidly on best use of the UK’s agricultural stakeholders. The holistic tenor of Government understand the value the profit and risk posed through british ecological material financial risks. society, the centre increasing population causing technology, and DEFRA consulted recent Government consultations of nature and prioritise actions to poor environmental management for ecology and Natural capital and ecosystem greater competition for food, water widely on its Green Food Project, a is hopeful; support of novel improve the environment. and, importantly, how the benefits hydrology, the services underpin our societal and and energy – will be exacerbated joint initiative between Government, technologies and valuation of Understandably, there is some they accrue from ecosystem services society of biology, economic functions, and should be by climate change, increased industry and environmental ecosystem services and natural trepidation about sticking a price tag underpin many aspects of their and the James valued accordingly by all sectors urbanisation, greater meat and dairy stakeholders to strategise how capital are increasingly considered on habitats, with some warning that operations and supply chains. hutton institute. if we are to ensure a sustainable consumption and competition with to improve the environment and crucial to agriculture and land monetisation could lead to trade and A number of initiatives have been for further future. As Pavan Sukhdev, study information biofuel crops for land. increase food production. Jackie caine msb management, and with them comes exploitation of the natural world. established recently to encourage go to www. leader at TEEB, put it: “We are This was illustrated by the food More recently, a commissioning science Policy the prospect of truly sustainable But Government officials, business the private sector to consider naturalcapital consuming natural capital, when we price spike of 2008, where prices group made up of key stakeholders officer food provision. executives and financial markets natural capital in business and initiative.org.uk should be living off the interest.”

8 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 www.societyofbiology.org/policy/policy-news www.societyofbiology.org/policy/policy-news Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 9 OPINION SCIeNCe IN PARLIAMeNt/ASh DIeBACK

Should there be more NO Ashes to ashes The spread of ash dieback disease towards the end of last scientists in parliament? year will lead to the death of many ash trees in the UK. Dr Evan harris James Brown and Michael Shaw ask if this disaster could former liberal Democrat POLICY mP for oxford West and have been avoided, and how we ensure it is not repeated LATES Four scientists share their thoughts during the Society’s first abingdon, writer on DEBATE science policy ike most tree diseases, the1 greater willingness to ‘Policy Lates’ series of evening debates epidemiology of chalara restrict trade when a risk To get policy right we need Ldieback in ash is is perceived. people who understand what poorly understood. The Plant pathology is strong and what is weak fungus Hymenoscyphus is a science that evidence; how to do a proper pseudoalbidus infects new rarely makes Dr Jack Stilgoe Dr Jennifer Rohn controlled trial of policy where host trees as ascospores, much impact lecturer in social studies of science cell biologist, novelist and there isn’t evidence, and a basic discharged in early Diseased on the public NO YES saplings and blogger on science and technology founder and chair of understanding of statistics. summer by tiny toadstools typically consciousness: science is Vital You can’t do that by relying on formed on fallen twigs display dead most of us are When people demand more scientists in parliament, scientists going into parliament – in the previous autumn. tops and/or well fed and they typically make a number of not-very-good I think science – Brian Cox withstanding – a few more will make no These spores can be side shoots. have little need arguments. The first is representation: parliament is invisible from public life. Where are the difference. We should be dispersed on the wind over to appreciate the should represent the society it is purported to famous scientists on TV? It’s an invisible concentrating our efforts to very long distances, but little science that secures represent. But that isn’t an argument for a profession. Scientists are very hard workers ensure all parliamentarians have else is known about the our food supply. While disproportionate number of scientists. and keep their heads down in their labs. a correct understanding of infection process. the Government has rightly The second argument is that scientists are experts. But, They are reluctant to move into public life. evidence and how to take advice. The danger that H. pseudoalbidus responded to ash dieback as as the astrophysicist Martin Rees says, “most specialists Having hardly any scientists in I would even go further and presents to ash trees in the UK an emergency, the day-to-day job of outside of their specialism are depressingly lay”. Some parliament is a problem – they do have say there is a problem with should have been recognised from controlling a wide range of pests and scientists recognise this, but some speak way outside special skills like being very tenacious scientists in parliament. Those the damage it did in the Baltic diseases is a continuous, long-term their area of expertise. and asking difficult questions. Scientific who are specialists in their countries and Scandinavia. Given challenge. Yet support for applied The third is the idea that we make better politicians: problems are at the root of a lot of things fields are much harder to get the Europe-wide pandemic of ash plant pathology has declined year on that scientists are open minded, ask difficult and so maybe you do need more scientists information to on related areas dieback (it has been spreading across year over three decades, with forest questions, and use evidence instead of ideology. than the average number because they think they are the continent since the 1990s), it pathology hit particularly hard. There is something in this, but it doesn’t mean among the experts. If you are not briefed would almost certainly have arrived There is also a looming shortage scientists should be acting as politicians population. properly but argue from a position in Britain eventually, and may indeed of expertise in the UK. The British instead of simply working with them. I think having of authority – “I am a professor, have arrived in eastern England as Society for Plant Pathology published The dangerous thing is all of these arguments more people in and you are wrong” – then that wind-borne spores. But the current an Audit of Plant Pathology distract us from the central problem of science parliament just is extremely damaging – for distribution map1 shows that people Education and Training in the UK3 by policy: there is a black hole where Government with a degree example, when Liam Fox (a former helped it to spread, as seedlings pure coincidence in the same week and parliament should have a capacity to use or PhD in GP) gave credence to the idea that bought from the continent have been that ash dieback became hot news. science in a good way. If we focus on individual science would MMR was less safe than individual planted all over the country. Fewer than half the UK universities scientists as the standard bearers for science be great. vaccinations. The international trade in trees that offer biology provide teaching policy in parliament, then we forget the vital Besides, what evidence do we greatly exacerbates the problem in plant pathology and where they institutions and discussions that need to have that scientists use evidence of managing plant diseases. An do, this may be as little as one or happen all the time for parliament to more than other parliamentarians imported tree brings with it a whole michael shaw (top, two lectures. Only one in seven UK make sensible decisions. when making policies? population of microorganisms on University of universities offers any practical its foliage, roots and soil, among reading) is the teaching in plant pathology. We are them possibly pathogens to which 2013 president simply not training enough students of the british native trees are highly susceptible. society for Plant with the expertise needed. scientific element – ageing, energy packed with engineers and Of pathogens and insect pests Pathology. James There are welcome signs that the Dr Phillip Lee MP and access to food and water. scientists but recognised as serious threats to brown (below, Government understands the need for conservative mP for Our job as politicians isn’t to come I think we economic or ornamental trees in John innes centre, a long-term commitment to reviving up with the clever ideas, but you do could do the UK, 10 have arrived in the last norwich) was the training in plant pathology – and YES bracknell, gP, and member president in 2012. of the energy and climate need to understand the implications with a few 10 years2. indeed other minority sciences which and how practically it will impact more. No doubt halting the global trade are vital to our national wellbeing – change select committee REFERENCES people. Climate change is a classic: in trees would reduce the spread of 1 http://www. and we strongly encourage action to What strikes me about Westminster it’s not complicated, it’s 17th-century exotic diseases. This does not seem forestry.gov.uk/ restore the UK’s expertise in plant chalara#Distribution and Whitehall is that there really physics. Yet there are members of to be politically possible in the UK, pathology and reverse the decline 2 http://www.forestry. is an absence of people with my own party who dismiss it. I’ve so we must try to mitigate its effects. gov.uk/forestry/infd- in university teaching in particular. an understanding of science. It not met a single one who dismisses We require increased vigilance, new 6abl5v The science required to control tree concerns me because the major it and understands the science. I’m tools for detection and management 3 http://www.bspp. diseases is unlikely to win a Nobel org.uk/society/bspp_ strategic challenges we face have a not calling for a House of Commons of disease, a better understanding plant_pathology_ Prize, but it may well help protect our

ROBERT SHARP/ENGLISH PEN/WIKIMEDIA SHARP/ENGLISH ROBERT of pathogens’ biology and, finally, audit_2012.php green and pleasant land.

10 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 To hear a podcast from this event, visit www.societyofbiologyblog.org/category/podcasts/ Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 11 OPINION COLLABORAtIVe ReSeARCh

equipment not available in our research. As part of my PhD I am changing iron chlorides and making Working with PhD students and post-docs faculty, such as cameras that run trying to work out what role (if super-magnetic sludge, we finally in other fields of science, such as anna at very rapid frame rates which we any) dynein-driven transport of Get out produced the end product: magnetic salter (left), has helped elizabeth granger (right) in her work on motor proteins. are using for live cell imaging. On endosomes and lysosomes plays there nano-particles. Since synthesising a fundamental level, though, these in autophagic fusion events, and and talk these particles I have been able to collaborations help tackle biological how this may affect the autophagy about your use them to isolate early and late problems from a different angle and process as a whole. research endosomes and analyse the motor can give a refreshing insight into proteins present on their surface. research questions. Calling on a chemist with others Without the collaboration with Around a year ago I wanted to Mark and help from the chemistry Protein transport adapt a method in a paper that department this would not have I am part of a research group at the used magnetic particles to isolate been possible. university’s Faculty of Life Sciences, endosomes and lysosomes. led by Professor Viki Allan, where Unfortunately, I couldn’t get hold It’s good to talk we are working on microtubule of these particles commercially and By nature I am chatty, and this has associated motor proteins. These even if I could find a company that proved extremely useful throughout proteins ‘walk’ along the network would synthesise them for us, it my PhD. A few weeks ago in the of microtubules within cells to would cost thousands of pounds. microscope room, I got chatting transport various cargoes to their At this point I learned how useful to a member of another lab. I cellular destinations. If a cell were talking to other scientists can be. I mentioned how over-expressing a city, microtubules would be contacted a chemistry PhD student a certain protein gave rise to a the railway network and motor I knew, Mark Holden, and asked strange phenotype in which I got proteins would be the cargo trains. him if he would look at the papers huge membrane clusters. Organelles and other cargo can that detailed the synthesis for me. Out of interest, she looked at my hitch a ride to their destination and It was a bit of a long shot as I knew images and mentioned that they jump off when they get to where he worked in a completely different looked similar to some autophagic they’re going. area of chemistry, but I only half membranes she’d been working on. I’m interested in a particular understood these papers and needed After lending me some reagents to motor protein called dynein, which some pointers. check the composition of my odd moves towards the centre of most After looking over them it turned membranes, it turned out they were non-polarised animal cells by out it was – in chemistry terms – a in fact autophagic. My project has ‘walking’ towards the minus end simple synthesis. Once Mark talked now taken a new and exciting turn of the microtubules. One focus of me through the papers and more and without her input and kind my work is to look at how dynein he’d found online (it seems burying donations of reagents I may not have elizabeth granger plays a role in transporting other the specifics of methodology in an is a PhD student at taken the same route. cell organelles such as endosomes irritating paper trail of references the University of Most principal investigators or and lysosomes. These organelles are isn’t a trick confined to biology), manchester and lead scientists know the importance responsible for transporting extra- I also discovered he had the the winner of the of collaboration, but I would urge cellular components recently taken equipment to do it. society’s 2012 any early stage scientists like myself new researcher up by the cell and either recycling or My supervisor bought the reagents science to get out there and talk about your degrading them. and I headed over to the chemistry communication research with others – you may well When cells are deprived of lab. After a fun day mixing colour- award. be surprised at how useful it can be. ost researchers in the later nutrients they can undergo a cell stages of their career are survival process called autophagy. Post-doc developmental biologist M aware of the importance During autophagy, membranes laura Jones has also contributed to of collaboration. Whether it is with from organelles, such as the elizabeth’s research. Finding other labs, different departments endoplasmic reticulum, break off or just sharing ideas and reagents, and wrap around proteins. They collaboration can make research can even engulf entire organelles more efficient and be useful for all like the mitochondria. After a parties involved. But collaboration is time, lysosomes fuse with these not just for established researchers. autophagic compartments and the right It can also be an incredibly positive introduce lysosomal enzymes experience for researchers in the that can break down and degrade early stages of their career. proteins. This allows cells to recycle Our own lab, at the University of the amino acids that are produced Manchester, has benefited greatly from this protein degradation. The from working with non-biology process can continue until the cell’s chemistry scientists, including collaborations external environment returns back with physics and chemistry labs, to its normal nutrient levels. Postgraduate researcher Elizabeth Granger and post-docs with non-biological Autophagy has been implicated in backgrounds. On a practical level many disease processes, including stresses the importance of collaboration these collaborations provide the myopathy, cancer, and metabolic, at all levels, after finding that chemists were opportunity to harness specialist genetic and neurodegenerative analytical skills and knowledge. diseases; it is an important and key to her research on motor proteins They also give us access to potentially beneficial area of

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ThThe socieTy of biology magazinee ■ issn 0006-3347biologist ■ socieTyofbiology.org Vol 59 no 5 ■ December 2012

LOOKING FOR LIFE ON MARS New horizons in astrobiology biofeedback

ANIMAL bEhAvIOuR bIOLOGy WEEK bOTANy SERIAL KILLERS ThE PANDA DEbATE MISTLETOE Th e police technique Choosing which Are Christmas used to track sharks species to save kisses under threat? Letters, news and views from our readers

Send your EVOLVING WORDS notwithstanding, the whole problem publishers requested an image of a comments to biofeedback, Another difficulty for school biology revolves around the costs – of Bovine malaria-carrying mosquito from a society of biology, (‘Education and Evolution’, The TB – to the farming industry of photographic agency and assumed, charles Darwin Biologist, Vol 59 (5) 13) is that the producing milk and beef. What is the understandably, that the one house, 12 roger words ‘evolution’ and ‘evolve’ are point of conducting such a review if received was exactly that – as did we. street, london used with different meanings. Latin it does not factor in the economics? Unfortunately, no one at the Society Wc1n 2JU or email evolutio means unroll, and was And, while we are on the spotted this error and the agency has biologist@ used to mean ‘read’ when subject of economics, been informed of its mistake. societyofbiology.org books came in papyrus does the Society know rolls which had to be how much this RE-VIEW THE REVIEW The Biologist unrolled. In 16th- apparently futile It is not good form for an author to reserves the right to edit letters century English, review cost the object to a review of his own book, where appropriate. the simplification taxpayer? but where a fundamental error has of mathematical andrew King occurred it becomes imperative to do problems was cbiol msb so. In his review of Capitalism versus called evolution, Planet Earth, Derek Charlwood meaning unrolling. SIZE MATTERS writes that “Ibrahim’s thesis is that Gas is ‘evolved’ when In the last issue I was profit levels inevitably fall as business metal filings are dropped pleased to read a fellow grows” (The Biologist, Vol 59 (5) 44). in acid. In biology, ‘evolution’ entomologist, Professor The book states almost ad was, and sometimes still is, used to Simon Leather, berating the Society nauseam (in fact no fewer than 47 mean descent with variation – not for paying scant attention to the times) that what falls as business by natural selection, but, say, by the invertebrates (‘Biofeedback’, grows is the rate of profit; it is not process proposed in Jean-Baptiste The Biologist, Vol 59 (5) 12). called ‘the tendency of the rate of Lamarck’s theory. Since Darwin’s time, What else did I find? On page 14 profit to fall theory’ for nothing. ‘evolve’ is often used to mean change is the report on the Save the Panda As the book explains, a fall in the for the better, such as Professor James debate, with a “range of experts”. rate of profit does not necessarily Williams’s own “the challenge now will None of them appears to have an result in a fall in profit. The ‘tipping be to evolve an examination system interest in invertebrates, although point’ is reached when capital is that is fit for purpose”. “ugly creepy crawlies” are mentioned. unable to expand fast enough to Darwin used ‘evolve’ only as Many invertebrates are far compensate for the fall in literally the last word in The Origin from ugly, with striking the rate of profit, profits of Species, and ‘evolution’ only much colours and forms. begin to tumble and later and rarely, probably because On page 28, capital enters a he did not care for the ‘unrolling’ however, there critical zone. metaphor. Perhaps the term is a potentially fawzi ibrahim, ‘evolution’ should be replaced by life threatening author, Capitalism ‘natural selection in biology’, which instance of versus Planet Earth is clumsier, but less ambiguous. entomology ignorance, with the Anopheles Donald rooum msb mosquito CORRECTION: picture of a “malaria- In the last issue THE PRICE OF POLICY carrying mosquito”. we reported that Sir David King’s review of the The only mosquitoes Elizabeth Granger, Randomised Badger Culling Trial known to transmit human winner of the New found that culling would have a malaria are from the genus Anopheles. Researcher prize at the Society’s significant effect on reducing TB The mosquito pictured is a Culicine, Science Communication Awards, in cattle (‘It’s Never Black and perhaps Culex quinquefasciatus, as had been nominated for showing White’, The Biologist, Vol 59 (5) it has short maxillary palps whereas young people how forensic evidence 10). The Review was later rejected Anophelines have maxillary palps that was used in court. This was actually by a Commons Select Committee are as long as the proboscis. done by Philippa Garner, who was on the grounds that it did not Dr brian Taylor cbiol fsb shortlisted for the award. Elizabeth take economics, effort or levels of was awarded the prize for the science difficulty into consideration. Editor’s Response: A specialist workshops and communication Am I missing something publication always strives to materials she developed for young here? Surely, ethical questions be accurate. In this case our people throughout 2011-12.

Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 15 INteRVIeW PROFeSSOR RIChARD DAWKINS

I do get a bit bored being cast as a LIFE, ThE controversialist all the time uNIvERSE & EvERyThING evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins talks to Tom Ireland about science, religion and how he wants to clear misconceptions around his work

he Selfish Gene, published in scientific point of view which I think 1976, established Professor inspired me. I drifted into the biology TRichard Dawkins as a leading stream at school and it wasn’t until I figure in evolutionary theory and got to university that I became deeply, popularised the idea that replicating passionately interested. I was always genes are the central force behind interested in the more philosophical evolution, not individual organisms or aspects – I was never a boy naturalist species. Now perhaps best known for to my regret. his criticism of creationism and religion, his 2006 bestseller The God Which do you enjoy more – Delusion sold over two million copies in discussing science and researching English alone. Dawkins’ campaigning evolutionary theory or debating work since has made him religious religion and campaigning? groups’ number one adversary. I see them as aspects of the same When we meet at his Oxford home, thing. I do get a bit bored being cast the man some see as the devil incarnate as a controversialist all the time is padding round in his socks, searching and yes, I do rather relish the for his shoes and calling out for his opportunity to talk about science fluffy white dog, Tycho. and uncontroversial things.

how did you become interested how did you move from working as in science? an evolutionary biologist to become I rather drifted into it. My father was a spokesperson for atheism

educated in science and had a across the world? AMLOT WILL

16 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 17 INteRVIeW PROFeSSOR RIChARD DAWKINS

I think it’s part of the same thing, the phenotype. So in that way the entire equipped to exploit that – gulls and confirmed or strengthened your exercise of reason. The question of singing territory of a bird could be pigeons, for example – are increasing thoughts on EP as a theory? the existence of supernatural gods considered as a much less obvious You could in number over those that can’t, but It’s not the kind of work that needs can be seen as a scientific question. idea of a phenotype. see the also surely are evolving themselves confirming, it’s more about work that There’s also the fact that in my own internet as within that niche. Life-saving has been inspired by it. I went to a very field, educators are under attack from Do you consider the technology a kind of medicine obviously must change good conference in Copenhagen in religious propagandists who wish and infrastructure that has built selection pressures acting on 2008 (the European Science to replace the theory of evolution up around humans to be extended embryonic humans which must influence our Foundation) organised by the with creationism. Not all religious phenotypes of our genes? super-brain evolution. But I wouldn’t go on to say excellent David Hughes, and he propagandists do, of course, but in Not really, no. It’s tempting to do of the that is a bad thing. I am in favour of convened a range of distinguished, America an alarming number of that, to regard buildings as extended future, I life-saving medicine! clever people from various disciplines – people do. phenotypes, for example. But in suppose, [Our increasing use of computers] genetics, ecology, animal behaviour order to make that plausible, you’d rather like can be seen as evolutionary in a very – who discussed the applications of EP Do you think any decent scientist have to say that there are genetic the origin broad sense, but it will make very in these various fields. should be an atheist? differences which affect those of complex little difference genetically and Clearly there are some decent scientists phenotypic differences. So you’d nervous physically – it is more of a dramatic We are losing species at an ever- who are not atheists, and I find that have to find genetic differences cultural shift. You could see the increasing rate because of human hard to understand. To some extent between architects of different systems internet as a kind of embryonic activity. Is this a tragedy that must many come clean about it and buildings, for example. In a way way back super-brain of the future, I suppose, be stopped or is it another phase of compartmentalise it – they don’t allow that destroys the concept I think by rather like the origin of complex the evolution/extinction cycle that themselves to think about the making it too wildly and implausibly nervous systems way back. has played out for millions of years? contradiction, which I’m sure they ambitious. But I have no doubt at all It is both. But I’ll give you an must feel. For many of them, they are that there are genetic differences Will we discover that human emotional answer now: I think it is a not really religious at all anyway. between beavers that manifest behaviour is influenced in more tragedy. So I’m not giving a scientific Einstein, for example, was thought to themselves as different sizes and ways than we realise by parasitic judgement, that’s an emotional be religious but he used the word as a types of dams and therefore lakes. and viral genes operating within us? judgement for which I’m not sort of poetic allusion for that which we Probably, yes. I think you’d have to ashamed. Of course I want species don’t understand. how is human technology expect that, knowing how powerful like the black rhino and elephants influencing evolution? parasites like viruses are in influencing and whales and other creatures that Why do you feel that your 1982 It is exerting a huge effect on the the behaviour of other species. are going extinct to be saved. book, The Extended Phenotype ecology of the world. Humans (which introduced the idea that a dominate the world to such an extent In the time since it was published, you were credited with the use of the gene’s phenotype can influence now that those species of animal has there been any work that has term ‘meme’ as a way of explaining far more than just the body and cells of an organism), is your most significant work as a biologist? I suppose it’s the nearest to an original contribution that I’ve made. As it says at the beginning, it’s not research, as in finding out new things about animals. It was a new way of looking at a familiar subject. I think it’s revealing and helpful, and clarifies things. It is still science, but it’s something close to what philosophers do – slightly turning things on their head and looking at things in a different way.

In the extended phenotype theory (EP) you use animal artefacts, like the caddis fly larva’s case or termite mounds, to illustrate that genes can influence things far outside the individual and still be a phenotype. What is the most ‘long-distance’, i.e. most extended, phenotype found in nature? As an artefact, a beaver dam. That is an extended phenotype of beaver genes – and the lakes it creates can be acres across. It is a phenotype, in that it varies genetically and is useful to the The Biologist’s beaver. I later developed the idea that Tom ireland talks much of animal communication – to Professor Dawkins at his where one animal influences the oxford home. behaviour of another – can be seen as a

18 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 19 INteRVIeW PROFeSSOR RIChARD DAWKINS

on the vine when education is TIMELINE thorough and good, and also when richard Dawkins’ there’s less poverty and greater life and times provision of social welfare. There is a 1941 demonstrated correlation where the born nairobi, Kenya more a country looks after its citizens – healthcare, care for the elderly, 1959-62 studies zoology welfare – the less religion you get. at balliol college, That works across countries and oxford across states in the US. 1970 made a fellow of Was 9/11 a factor in strengthening new college, your resolve to try and dissuade oxford people of religion? 1976 Yes, I think there was a sense that the Dawkins’ first gloves are off now. Of course I’m not book The Selfish Gene is published, suggesting that all religion does establishing him terrible things, but it proved it can as a leading force provide a licence for decent people in evolutionary to do terrible things and think they theory are doing good, in a way that bank 1982 robbers, for example, don’t. The The Extended 9/11 conspirators actually thought Phenotype is they were righteous and doing a published. Dawkins good thing. considers it his most significant Do you think the public understands contribution to evolution better than science when you started out in your career? (Dawkins was Oxford’s Professor for Public at oxford understanding in 1976. of Science from 1995 to 2008.) Those who have 1986 read my books do The Blind tell me they do. I have Watchmaker, done TV and radio too, so how units of our culture can survive how do you feel about the way you a strong critique people who have been exposed to my and spread among humans in are seen by the public? Would you of the theory of work – I would like to think – intelligent design, a Darwinian way. Do you think rather be known for your scientific is published understand evolution better than ‘memetics’ is a valid scientific field? books than as a sort of pantomime 1995 they did. I don’t know about the I haven’t done new research on it villain who hates religious faith? appointed as the country as a whole. People write to myself, but I’m pleased that others have I’m irritated by what I see as a first simonyi me in quite large numbers about my taken it on – Susan Blackmore and misperception of the way I am. People Professor for books, and Tweet about it, but I Daniel Dennett, for example; there are who clearly haven’t read anything the Public couldn’t put a figure on it. quite a few books on memes now. I am I’ve written have cast me as a sort of Understanding of science at oxford interested in the arguments about snarling attack dog, which I’m not. What areas excite you in terms whether it is a decent analogy to genes, It’s partly down to being put into that 2006 of future breakthroughs in Dawkins’ critique and I think some of the objections to it sort of situation [arguing with religious of organised evolutionary theory? are easy enough to dispel. ideologues], but also being incessantly religion The God The origin of life. The origin of the But I never really visualised it as a asked about it by journalists. It’s also Delusion is first self-replicating information is way to understand human culture. because the religious lobby haven’t published key to the whole process. It’s a It was originally just to drive home really got any arguments and the best founds the somewhat baffling question and is a the point that anything could be they can do is to misrepresent those on richard Dawkins problem of chemistry rather than the subject to Darwinian selection, not the other side. foundation for biology I am used to. I would like to reason and just genes – anything where you have science (rDfrs) see that solved – perhaps it won’t be self-replicating information. I think Do you ever think there’ll be a fully with total certainty, but I would hope 2012 it’s clear that memes are self- secular world where religion has no Presents channel to see a theory so beautifully replicating information in a way that influence over science teaching? 4’s Sex, Death plausible that it kind of has to be true. genes are. But whether that gives rise Yes. I am encouraged by countries in and The Meaning One would hope for a chemical model to interesting evolution [of culture], Scandinavia and, to some extent, this of Life that makes us say “yes!”. That would

I’m not sure. country – religion does seem to wither be wonderful. IMAGES GETTY

20 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 Do yoU haVe an oPinion on This arTicle? CONtACt US At [email protected] 17559 Advert 255x185mm Jan 2013_160x160mm advert 29/01/2013 12:37 Page 1

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zebras have not been seen in north-east mozambique for AN uNhAPPy more than huNTING GROuND a decade.

BIOGRAPhY Nothing. Did they want big solutions catch antelope – hauling them into the and future. If it is destroyed they will Peter Coals describes to the big problem engulfing the air and breaking their long, fragile have nothing. his experience as region’s wildlife? They would be legs, leaving them to thrash out their I was contracted to lead the ranger waiting a long time if they did. lives in agony in the ever tightening unit; providing a credible deterrent to a wildlife security grip of the wire – to the menace of the ever-present threat. I removed Erosion of life armed gangs killing elephants for snares, confiscated bush meat, consultant in north- This is precisely the problem: a their ivory tusks. machetes and logging tools, and chased east mozambique reluctance to consider the small scale. Bamboo thickets are cleared to away the armed elephant poachers. There are no ‘big busts’, and scant provide building materials for local Confusion reigns and loyalty is Peter coals amsb pickings for glory hunters. This work is houses. Vast forest giants like star- negotiable – you just have to work is a conservation n African ground pangolin a grind. Every day poachers and chestnuts and pod-mahogany are out the price and currency. It is not biologist and is curled up in a large wicker wildlife security traders kill a few more animals, felled both by local teams and surprising – as the private reserve A basket on the back seat of my consultant. he is wearing away at the resilience of mechanised outsider operations management back in Europe did not Land Rover. It was confiscated from an associate strained populations. It is the wholesale providing timber planks to feed provide enough money to pay the an illegal wildlife trader following my member of the erosion of life. Corruption, inactivity growing demand in the city. rangers for weeks on end. undercover operation. As the illegal society and is and lack of expertise and knowledge in This destruction is not for The communities only see the also a fellow of the trader left the police station in the city royal geographical law enforcement procedures and subsistence. Local communities do nature of the reserve as resources that of Pemba scot-free, the Portuguese- society. wildlife conservation are significant not lack food and are not hunting could be turned into money, and it’s speaking Ministry of Agriculture officer barriers to the prevention of wildlife sustainably. It seems that every hard to blame them when it’s so shook his head. “We can do no more,” crime at all levels. individual both inside the reserve and difficult to make a living. Community hunting and he said. “It always happens like this.” Overexploitation is out is cashing in on natural benefits provided by the reserve are poaching have North-east Mozambique is a hidden frequently cited as a resources on every scale, few and there are not enough tourists led to a decline tropical world of mangrove islands and principal factor in motivated by greed, a lack to provide a sustainable living. As in numbers of many african expanses of white coral sand fringing global biodiversity of understanding and poaching continues, and animal mammals such as the ocean. It sounds like paradise, but loss. Part of this education, and numbers fall, the incentives for the black rhino. its forests are falling silent. The trade takes the form of the growing tourists to visit declines, locking the in pangolins is dominated by south- illegal wildlife use inequalities area into a downward spiral. east Asian buyers as their body parts and poaching. Hunting between regional Every life ended in a snare, on a are used in Asian traditional medicine. and poaching have led to the mozambiqUe communities. spear, or ripped through with bullets A surge in industry and business in demise of many large mammals, is another step closer to the forest the city has attracted companies and such as the black rhino, from much Exploitation falling silent forever. Humans will workers, many from China. Though of their ranges across Africa. Before The effects of endure. In unprotected areas, where pangolins are used locally as food 1960 they numbered 70,000 unsustainable the farmable topsoil has been washed and in African traditional medicine, individuals. Today there are fewer exploitation of flora and away by summer rains, people sell this trader was looking to make more than 5,000. fauna, and what will happen rocks dug out of the ground for a money from expatriates than he could Black rhino, zebra, wildebeest and if widespread poaching in pittance to make a living. by selling to locals. eland were last seen in the region in the protected areas continues, are clear to After meeting in the depths of the mid-1990s, long before I first came. see. Outside the park all wildlife has Paradise lost city, the wildlife trader believed that The remaining elephants, buffalo, been killed and large trees felled. The It is a world away from a past of verdant I would return bringing money. sable antelope, lion, spotted hyena and scrubland has been raked by massive forests with abundant game shaded by Instead I brought officers from the painted dog that roamed through the fronts of fire that sped across the tall trees. But every time animals or police, national park and Ministry of reserve and wider national park are landscape leaving great scars of plants are removed from protected Agriculture to confiscate the pangolin in decline. The exact nature of the fall swirling ash and blackened dirt in areas without repercussions, the and arrest the trader. At the police in numbers cannot be measured in their wake. message is sent that it isn’t important. station I learned that he would not many remote areas, as they lack the What little official law enforcement This battle is not going to be lost with face further legal action and would not expertise and capacity for quantitative that exists is dampened by a social a bang, but through inactivity, greed have to pay the fine that should have monitoring. The reserve had next to no and political climate that protects and corruption. Little by little, it will Corruption, Peter rescued been imposed. The police didn’t seem reliable data on population numbers, the poachers and ostracises the slowly slip through our fingers. this pangolin, to mind; what few laws protect wildlife inactivity and neither did the wider national rangers on the ground. The There is no quick solution, and which had are seldom enforced. and lack of park. It was just scant information community rangers’ familiarity there are no easy decisions. But by been hunted Despite regularly providing expertise gleaned from my talks with the few with the area is also their undoing. reforming law and tackling for use in evidence of wildlife crime to the park are barriers village elders who still remembered the They are torn between duty and corruption, improving education, traditional to preventing asian office, many officials are relatively times before the war of independence social obligations. They have to work providing training and genuine medicine. unconcerned by, and dismissive of, wildlife crime and the civil war. against their friends, family and alternative sustainable employment, this activity. What is one local wildlife The variety of poaching threats acquaintances from the villages. somewhere in the middle perhaps we trader, poacher or logger anyway? ranges from snares set by locals to Yet this area is their life, income can regain paradise.

PETER COALS

22 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 23 BIOGRAPhY WILLIAM ALFORD LLOYD

a german wood WhO WAS… engraving from 1872 of the main saloon of lloyd’s crystal Palace WILLIAM marine aquarium. ALFORD LLOyD?

Ray Ingle profiles the little-known Victorian entrepreneur who introduced public aquariums to the UK and helped improve awareness of aquatic diversity

he 18th of November was a Merionethshire, North Wales, where public holiday in 1852, so that at five years old he was taken to live T the British public could watch with his father’s relatives to improve the funeral procession of the Duke of his health. He returned to London Wellington. William Alford Lloyd, a aged 11 but could only communicate bookshop employee with an interest with his Welsh-speaking father in natural history, chose to visit the and struggled to relearn English, Zoological Gardens (now London an effort that may have caused a Zoo) instead. He had barely enough lifelong stammer. After becoming money for the admission fee and an apprentice to a bookbinder at 14, walked there and back – no vehicles Lloyd developed a passion for deeply were allowed on the streets that day. instructive reading on a wide range of He was drawn to a ‘Fish House’ subjects, including natural history. under construction, due to open On Christmas Day 1848, Lloyd the following spring. It was seeing married Amelia Alford. Following the a living pike in one of the tanks that birth of his daughter in 1851, Lloyd apparently set his mind on a career as worked at a second-hand bookshop an aquarist. Years later he wrote that that enabled him to earn enough his decision on that day “turned the money for the family to rent upstairs current of all my remaining life”. rooms in Clerkenwell. Born in 1824, Lloyd’s interest in Lloyd worked a 12-hour day for WA LLOYD, 1871. COURTESY OF NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, LONDON MUSEUM, HISTORY NATURAL OF COURTESY 1871. LLOYD, WA natural history probably began in six days a week at the bookshop and FOUNDATION PALACE CRYSTAL THE

24 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 25 BIOGRAPhY WILLIAM ALFORD LLOYD

lloyd’s aquarium principles that must be observed for shop on Portland successful maintenance. His exhibit road, london. gained him a medal but did nothing to The first aquarist save his failing business and on the 21st loyd was the first aquarist to develop the information became available only during the of July 1862 he was declared bankrupt. l‘closed systems methods’ for following century). however, he recognised Undaunted, he had learned of successfully maintaining multiple aquariums the importance of vegetation in the aquarium a proposed public aquarium in and the first to recognise the importance of and tried to culture seaweeds. he was an avid Hamburg and wrote to the project’s large settlement reservoirs, aeration, experimenter and intelligent observer, director for the job of aquarium temperature control and filters for achieving quickly learning from mistakes and, above all, superintendent. Professor Owen water quality. he would not have been aware highly capable of visualising, calculating the provided a supporting testimonial. of detailed biological aspects of the water requirements of, and successfully designing, Lloyd secured the post and his family chemistry of his systems (most of this large-scale aquatic closed systems. moved to Hamburg. Building on his successes in Paris, Its success further enhanced which kept Lloyd busy as a consultant. he constructed a large 5,000 gallon his status as an aquarist and he However, some questioned his need underground reservoir in Hamburg, corresponded with many prominent for such large reservoirs. In 1876 the confident that this volume would naturalists of the day. The British marine biologist William Saville-Kent suffice to stabilise aquarium water naturalist Philip Gosse became announced his doubts concerning temperature. Compressed air his close friend and somewhat the efficiency and cost-effectiveness and steam engine-driven pumps overshadowed Lloyd because of these large, dark chambers. circulated the sea water in numerous the public identified Gosse as These disagreements became tanks, filtered through fine sand the “aquarium man” through his particularly public during the and sack filters before entering the numerous popular publications. installation of the Royal Aquarium reservoir; both were innovations. Nevertheless, it was Lloyd to whom at Westminster – Lloyd claimed that This aquarium, then the largest Gosse always turned for practical large reservoirs were essential to and most modern in Europe, was lloyd’s advice on aquatic management. stabilise water temperatures and opened in 1864 and was a continued ‘compound Lloyd’s advice was also sought maintain water quality. A number of was unable to attend the opening of by local stall vendors could house BIOGRAPhY ground floor into a shop to display his success. On the continent other aquarium’. internationally by figures such as public aquariums involving Saville- the Fish House. He was free only on small living anemones. He would stock and to advertise his business. large aquariums were built, some This shows all Felix Anton Dohrn, who planned to Kent soon developed problems. Sunday when the gardens charged carefully transfer the anemones Lloyd now left his employment probably based on Lloyd’s design the concepts establish a zoological workstation at of his marine an extra admission premium that he into jars of sea water, feeding them to supervise the completion in and maintenance methods. During circulating Naples which later became the first Decline in interest could not afford on his meagre salary. on morsels of oyster flesh. Regular 1856 of The Aquarium Warehouse. his tenure at Hamburg he published closed systems laboratory for the study of marine By the late 1870s there was a decline In despair he wrote to Professor water changes were needed, and Business flourished and he published numerous observations on the aquatic sold for private organisms. Lloyd was involved in in visits to public aquariums and by Richard Owen, a council member discarded water was emptied into a a catalogue illustrating various inhabitants ranging from seaweeds, residences, the entire design of this aquarium’s 1878 the Crystal Palace Aquarium of the Zoological Society of London, large, covered earthenware foot-pan aquariums. A supplement contained hermit crabs and spider crabs, to which later system and all of the equipment was Company was in financial crisis and formed the explaining his circumstances and standing in a dark corner of the room detailed practical advice about sea anemones, barnacles, corals, basis of public sent to Italy from England. unable to pay Lloyd his annual salary. requesting a complimentary Sunday and later reused. By these methods, he ray ingle is a retired maintaining aquariums and no dog-whelks, sponges and fishes. This Public aquariums were now being He secured a contract to design taxonomist from aquariums he ticket. Fortunately Owen complied. successfully maintained his anemones the natural history doubt promoted his reputation as apparently settled period in his life designed. opened in various towns in England, and build the Aston Aquarium in During a further visit to the gardens and recognised that by storing large museum, london, the London aquarist and adviser. He may have been helped by a working Birmingham and was appointed as he met the society’s secretary, amounts of water in this way it could where he studied continued to write for The Zoologist. knowledge of German acquired superintendent. He determined this DW Mitchell, who had conceived be reused. Lloyd later extended the and developed Now regularly consulted on during his early years. should be his best work, using steam- the Fish House project. Mitchell’s concept of water storage, using large methods for rearing aquatic matters, Lloyd declined driven pumps to circulate water, a advice inspired him to begin his own volumes of circulating water in his crustacean larvae. an invitation in 1860 to write a Return to England steam generator for electric light experiments with fish keeping. designs of public aquariums. book due to the pressure of his In 1868 Lloyd sought a post back in over each tank and, for the first time, After some unsuccessful attempts, work. He was also supervising the England and wrote to Professor Owen artificial sea water prepared on site. Lloyd learned how to keep fish alive Setting up an aquatic business installation of aquariums in the Jardin offering his services to the Zoological The Aston Aquarium opened in This account of Wa and sent observations about his With basic knowledge of aquatic lloyd’s life is based d’Acclimatation Paris, setting up his Society as curator of its aquarium. July 1879 but within six months was aquatic inmates to Edward Newman, management, Lloyd set up an aquatic partly on research patented aquariums, underground Nothing came of it but two years in financial trouble and Lloyd was the editor of The Zoologist. Lloyd’s business, using a downstairs room notes compiled for water reservoirs, and a newly invented later Owen recommended Lloyd as again unemployed. He returned home detailed observations impressed to display his wares. He contacted an uncompleted device involving compressed air for superintendent of a public aquarium to to Lower Norwood, found part-time Newman, and his study on the collectors for supplies of marine biography on lloyd circulating aquarium water. He also be built by the Crystal Palace Aquarium work at the Crystal Palace and with when the author respiratory behaviour of the aquatic specimens, asked Professor Owen for was on the staff of tried growing seaweeds, recognising Company Limited at Sydenham. publishers Cassell & Company, snail Lymnaea stagnalis was accepted support, and advertised his enterprise the natural history the importance of algae as a part of For the official opening he and wrote a book on aquarium for publication in 1854. in the scholarly journal Notes and museum. however, marine aquarium management. Paris’ published a detailed and illustrated management. It was never published. Later Lloyd read Philip Gosse’s Queries. He worked at the bookshop bob alexander’s public aquarium opened in 1861. account of this new marine aquarium While writing in his study on the The Aquarium: an Unveiling of the to finance this venture; his wife dealt excellent But by 1861 interest in “parlour in Nature and also in the official 13th of July 1880 Lloyd collapsed and Wonders of the Deep Sea, and the with customers during his absences. biography on lloyd aquariums” had also declined. handbook. The Crystal Palace died, probably from a severe stroke. was published in chapter on management of a marine A combination of lack of experience 2012 and the author Business sales were poor and he had Aquarium had 20,000 gallons of He was 54 and his estate, valued aquarium inspired him to try his hand and customers who disregarded his gives full little money to spare; profits had sea water distributed between 38 at under £400, was left to his wife. at keeping marine specimens. advice led to initial failures, but Lloyd acknowledgement been invested to expand the business. aquariums and 22 stock tanks. Nevertheless, his bold inventiveness Despite living far from the coast, learned from mistakes and soon for details on Now in financial difficulty and not Aerated water was pumped into these ensured the ongoing success of the and always being short of money, was able to confidently advise on lloyd’s life. in good health, he took a stand at from an 80,000 gallon reservoir by many public aquariums of the past he devised ingenious solutions. He aquarium matters. The business grew alexander’s the 1862 London Exhibition on steam-driven pumps and through and his concepts are still followed biography of lloyd made artificial sea water from salts and Lloyd moved to new premises in is available online Industry and Art, convinced that the vulcanite and hard india-rubber pipes. for public aquariums today. We owe prepared by a Holborn chemist, and Portland Road, Regent’s Park, using at www.parlour aquarium was a serious educational All machinery was duplicated to much to this enterprising Victorian discovered that oyster shells discarded all his capital to convert part of the aquariums.org.uk tool demonstrating basic scientific secure continuous water flows. aquarist and naturalist.

26 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 Do yoU haVe an oPinion on This arTicle? CONtACt US At [email protected] Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 27 CONSeRVAtION PReSeRVING the PeAK DIStRICt ThINKING bIG IN CONSERvATION

The Peak District’s Dr Richard Campen explores how the government’s ambition to make conservation ‘bigger, better and joined’ can work in practice

his season a peregrine falcon higger Tor is one (Falco peregrinus) chick of the dominant successfully fledged from a landmarks of the T Dark Peak region. windswept rocky ledge in England. Close by, previously at risk and increasingly rare, species-rich meadows will soon be declared part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Both locations are in England’s Peak District National Park. These are good news stories, but it is a shame that such events require so much publicity and energy. The breeding success of birds of prey and saving hay meadows should be a routine part of a diverse and thriving landscape. Conservation, even in an area designated as a national park, can often be a struggle and, with many diverse and sometimes competing interests, there will always be For conservation on this scale to interpretation projects, moorland challenges. It is increasingly important work, partnerships are essential. Since research work, community events and that conservation is managed on a 2003 a partnership programme hosted bird surveys. large scale and at a strategic level to by the Peak District National Park By 2015 the programme is expected ensure our landscape is resilient to Authority, called Moors for the Future, to have delivered projects costing adverse change and development. has been operating across the majority around £15m. Funding is drawn Making Space for Nature (the of the Dark Peak area. The partnership from the Environment Agency, Lawton Review) called for a step currently includes statutory bodies, DEFRA, the Heritage Lottery Fund, change in nature conservation and local authorities, voluntary utilities companies, private moorland describes the essence of what needs to Conservation organisations and utilities companies. owners, the National Park Authority be done to secure ecological resilience needs to be The programme has restored over and other sources. and coherence as “more, bigger, better managed on 5km2 of eroded moorland using The programme is contributing to and joined”. We must heed the a large scale thousands of tonnes of heather brash wildlife conservation and ecosystem recommendations of the review. and at a (the cut stems of Calluna vulgaris are services in a huge number of ways: strategic used to stabilise peat soils and provide a habitat restoration, facilitating a helicopter drops Policy in practice level to source of seeds), billions of heather and adaptation to climate change; heather brash for What should “more, bigger, better and ensure our grass seeds, thousands of dwarf shrub protecting the carbon stored in peat use in moorland joined” look like in practice? The Dark landscape is plants and cotton grass (Eriophorum soils; improving the quality of water restoration, just one of the initiatives of Peak landscape character area resilient angustifolium) and deploying over 100 collected from the moorland the moors for the (PDNPA, 2009) is roughly a third of the to change miles of biodegradable netting to catchments; reducing flood risk; and future conservation 1,500km2 national park, situated at the stabilise sloping peat soils. It has also providing opportunities for people programme. MOORS FOR THE FUTURE PARTNERSHIP FUTURE THE FOR MOORS southern tip of the Pennine Hills. provided a wide range of education and to connect with nature.

28 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 29 CONSeRVAtION PReSeRVING the PeAK DIStRICt

There is a great deal of activity to decision making in relation to natural, BIOGRAPhY It is clear that there are three manage and protect. It is a complex social and economic outcomes by close important challenges to landscape- area with many stakeholders, working with local authorities and scale conservation. One is to achieve Dark Peak: Wilderness at the heart of England interests and expectations in relation Local Enterprise Partnerships and large-scale programmes focused on to environmental, social and economic Health and Wellbeing Boards. The ecosystem services with the sparsely settled area of millstone processes, the area has been especially hundreds of thousands of people depend goals. The funding will pay for former are designed to provide conservation and protection of wildlife A grit rock and peat soils form the high affected by human activities for over 8,000 on the area for the natural services it habitat restoration of heathland strategic leadership for sustainable and natural systems at the heart of moorland (up to 630m above sea level) of the years: the national park is almost surrounded provides, from water supply to relaxation and blanket bog, new native woodland private sector growth and jobs in an them, even if it is not convenient in Dark Peak, which makes up roughly a third by large urban conurbations such as Sheffield and enjoyment (such as walking, climbing, and wildlife-rich grassland; and area (BIS, 2012) and the latter terms of desired social and economic of the total area of the Peak District National and Manchester. paragliding, mountain biking). Other land uses improvements to the links between (Department of Health, 2012) are Dr richard campen outcomes. We must accept that Park. It is cut by steep-sided valleys, some It is estimated that around half the include sheep grazing, red grouse (Lagopus cbiol fsb is director these wonderful places and the aimed at improving health and of operations at the conserving the integrity of natural of which have been flooded as reservoirs. population of england is within a one-hour lagopus scotica) shooting and a limited surrounding urban communities. wellbeing of local populations and to Peak District systems is essential to everything we do. In addition to developing through natural drive from the park, so one way or another amount of forestry. A “more, bigger, better and joined” reduce health inequalities. national Park The Lawton Review was concerned approach has already resulted in some The National Park Authority has a authority and an with the resilience and coherence of recent developments that, hopefully, particular role to play in leading and associate lecturer at England’s ecological framework are set to improve nature conservation. facilitating the landscape-scale the open University, through a “step change” to where he teaches Twelve new Nature Improvement approach to ecosystem services. Led by practical conservation. Even with so much Areas (NIAs; DEFRA, 2012a) have the Authority, the partnership-focused environmental work still to do, Moors for the Future been announced to improve the National Park Management Plan science. shows what can be achieved when quality and connectivity of ecological (PDNPA, 2012) provides the over- stakeholders are focused. In networks through partnerships, with arching framework for this with its particular, we must be careful not £7.5m of funding available across the links to other key strategies such as the to risk wildlife conservation in the 12 areas up to 2014. They will cover Landscape Strategy and Action Plan pursuit of economic development: around 5,000km2, or 3.84% of the (PDNPA, 2009). this means not treating nature just area of England. as a commodity. Nature has an So far, 48 new Local Nature intrinsic value, as well as being The strangely Important challenges shaped Partnerships (LNPs) have been The National Park Management Plan useful to us, and we cannot separate bleaklow announced with the aim of managing and the efforts of various projects all ourselves from ecology. We want stones in the natural systems “for the benefit of form part of the decisions we take today to conserve the environment but we Dark Peak area. nature, people and the economy”. The that will shape the future of the Peak also want to consume goods and vision for LNPs includes influencing District Landscape. services it provides. The second challenge is to connect coherence and resilience of that REFERENCES people with nature, especially those in landscape and its ecosystems. BIS (2012) http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/ economic-development/leps an eU monitor urban conurbations. Conservation The aspirational goal would be for [accessed 17 December 2012]. surveys the work bodies such as the National Trust, similar landscape-scale programmes DeFRA (2012a) http://www.defra.gov.uk/ of the moors for the National Park Authority and the covering other parts of the Peak environment/natural/whitepaper/nia/ the future team. RSPB all have programmes to engage District. Areas outside the national [accessed 17 December 2012]. young people and communities in Workers prepare park should also be managed in this Department of health (2012) http:// their work and to promote to spread brash, way. In order to do so, perhaps it is healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/hwb-guide/ the cut heather [accessed 17 December 2012]. opportunities for understanding and stems that are time to start talking about bio-regions enjoyment of nature. and put nature where it belongs: at the Natural england (2012) http://www. used to stabilise naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/ The third challenge will be to peat soils. very centre of all our decisions. conservation/designatedareas/aonb/ engage more landowners and more default.aspx [accessed 17 December 2012]. people from the farming community. PDNPA (2009) Landscape Strategy and Moors for the Future and the Peak Action Plan; the Dark Peak http://www. District NIA benefit from the support peakdistrict.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_ file/0004/90823/landscape-strategy- of some farmers (including tenants) dark-peak.pdf [accessed 17 December 2012]. and landowners, but there are others URS Scott Wilson (2011) Barriers and who could join the partnerships. This Opportunities to the use of Payments for would be particularly the case for areas ecosystem Services, a report for Defra of the Peak District dominated by http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx? Document=PeSFinalReport28September20 improved meadows (such as the White 11(FINAL).pdf Peak), where there are many, often [accessed 17 December 2012]. small, farms. Farming is, after all, one of the most important influences on the appearance of the landscape and FuRThER READING AND LINKS its biodiversity. ■ www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk ■ www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/ Working hand-in-hand learning-about In the Peak District, Moors for the ■ www.50things.org.uk Future and the NIA will work hand-in- ■ www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/ hand, thanks to the commitment of guide/d/dovestone partners. It is not certain what the other moorland projects across future of NIAs post-2014 might be, but the Dark Peak: it is clear that the functional ‘unit’ of ■ www.easternmoors.org.uk the NIA probably ought to be the ■ www.sheffieldmoors.co.uk MOORS FOR THE FUTURE PARTNERSHIP FUTURE THE FOR MOORS MOORS FOR THE FUTURE PARTNERSHIP FUTURE THE FOR MOORS entire Dark Peak in order to ensure

30 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 Do yoU haVe an oPinion on This arTicle? CONtACt US At [email protected] Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 31 SPOtLIGht BIOINFORMAtICS

SPOTLIGhT ON AT A GLANCE INTERvIEW

how did you get into bioinformatics? The word bioinformatics didn’t exist when I was a PhD student in 1989. bIOINFORMATICS This sort of work was being done of course, but the word didn’t appear until the early 1990s. My first degree was in physics, bioinformatics is the application the large quantities of data produced Name and I wanted a career in science, of information technology by researchers. Professor but was also really interested in to biological problems, most Big employers in the UK include David Jones computing. I saw a programme commonly the analysis of DNA, the major pharma companies, the Profession on the discovery of the DNA helix RNA and protein sequences european Bioinformatics Institute, head of the and it suddenly occurred to me or structures. It relies heavily the MRC’s human Genome Mapping Bioinformatics that biological problems could be on the use of IT, mathematics, Project Resource Centre, and the Group at approached theoretically, with and statistics to capture, store, Wellcome trust Centre for human University maths, and computationally. I took and analyse complex biological Genetics. Smaller companies are College London biophysics modules in my third year information. using bioinformatics too, including and director of and did my master’s and PhD in those involved in agricultural the Bloomsbury biochemistry. I became fixated with Why is bioinformatics important? applications, industrial organisms Centre for protein folding and that was it really. Recent advances in molecular biology and personal care products. Bioinformatics I thought, “I can do everything here” and genomic technologies have led to There is generally thought to be Qualifications – computing, physics and answering an explosion in the amount of biological a shortage of expert statisticians PhD biochemistry questions in biology. information generated by biologists. working in many areas of biology from University This has led to a huge demand for and bioinformatics. College What are you working on at London; MSc specialist tools to store, organise, view, the moment? (above and below) examples of 3D protein structures from Professor Jones’ lab at Ucl. index and analyse such data. how do I get into a career involving biochemistry Predicting and simulating the way Bioinformatics can generate new bioinformatics? from King’s proteins fold, based on their amino variety of backgrounds. There are be the design of new proteins that are understanding in genetic interactions, Universities tend to run postgraduate College London; acid sequence, is the area I personally people from biology and chemistry not found in nature and have novel metabolic pathways and drug courses in bioinformatics for BSc physics, spend most time on – I think if you backgrounds who have picked up the functions. You could put proteins development. It is crucial to the those with a computer science or Imperial College do a PhD its central question never relevant skills, as well as physicists together that could never work in development of software bioscience background. Some, such Interests leaves you unless someone solves it and computer scientists. a cell or from different organisms, and technology that assists as Imperial, Cranfield or Manchester Protein structure completely. But my lab is looking at I have a joint appointment across modifying biology for endless biologists’ research. universities, offer master’s courses prediction many other really interesting things the computer science and biology industrial or medicinal uses; you could Some believe that to work in in bioinformatics or the related and analysis, like protein and gene function. What departments, so I get to interact with create a new biological machine. any biology-related field in the computational biology and systems simulations of does this protein or gene actually colleagues in both departments. I The iGEM competition (www. future, biologists will need certain biology. There are many shorter protein folding do? What is the definition of the can’t emphasise how important good igem.org) – where undergraduate competencies in bioinformatics. practical training courses to teach function of a gene? It’s a much less statisticians are: it’s the difference teams get together to come up with scientists how to use specific simple question. between getting numbers and results. novel synthetic biology projects like What careers are available? software tools. this – shows it’s already happening. The It, pharmaceutical and What is the bread and butter What would you say to biologists If I’d seen this when I was an biotechnology industries are all in Where can I find out more? equipment of a bioinformatician? who are daunted by the complex undergraduate I’d have given all the need of bioinformatics graduates to You can find information and In the early days you needed special mathematics involved? money I had to get involved. help develop products like research announcements on bioinformatics graphics systems that cost a bomb. People overestimate how difficult it software or drugs. There is a high research, industry and education on But most of what we do now can is to tackle these problems without demand in the ‘omics’ research fields www.bioinformatics.org or go to be done on a standard PC. Some a maths or physics degree. It’s (such as genomics, proteomics and www.embnet.org to join a network calculations require high-throughput about getting the right data and glycomics) for competent analysts for those working in bioinformatics computers, which we have here at using the right tools. Underlying the and computing solutions to process research or industry. UCL. But again, once you get the data complicated equations and programs Underlying back, much of the analysis can be are very simple ideas. complicated done on a standard machine. equations What areas excite you in terms of are very What sort of person makes a good future applications? simple ideas researcher in bioinformatics? A lot of funding is being directed I don’t know; in my group the best at synthetic biology. If I could pick bioinformaticians come from a another problem to work on it would

32 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 33 Our regular In keeping with most textbooks, Genomics and as for traditional foods, fabrics and round-up of books there is an accompanying website for bioinformatics other goods. However, HNVF tends to High Nature published in the students and instructors providing Tore Samuelsson be unprofitable and consequently is Value fields of biology access to e-books and other resources. cambridge declining fast across much of Europe. Farming in and related sciences Man is an animal that is not excluded University Press, Unless means can be found to inject Europe from this text. Set alongside animal £29.99 new financial support, it will disappear “A visually Reviews examples, this means that the human Bioinformatics has and it has proved extremely difficult to physiologist is provided with useful proven to be a provide finance through the Common attractive, comparative material, not least for valuable branch of modern biology, Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the stimulating teaching purposes. especially as sequence data on DNA, European Union. book which William hogarth’s manufacture and use. There are Dr stephen lewis RNA and protein increases at a rapid Here three editors and 106 authors should be ‘gin lane’ depicts sections on Saccharomyces cerevisiae rate. As the author points out: “Biology have reviewed HNVF in 35 European the evils of gin read by a consumption, and and other producers; the biochemistry Genes, Cells and has been transformed into an countries. The text is profusely wide was reproduced of fermentation; barley and other brains: The incredibly data-rich science.” illustrated with colour photographs, audience” by samuel grasses; sources of sugar such as Promethean There are already specialised providing a vivid impression of the Davenport, circa grapes, apples and honey; and finally Promises of the technical works on the use of variety of marginal farmland and the 1806, for his the anthropology and archaeology New biology bioinformatics. However, people new biodiversity it supports. collection of hogarth’s work. of booze. hilary Rose and to the field are often overwhelmed by The individual country reviews The only quibble I have with this Steven Rose the complexity of the databases and indicate that very different support highly original work is the assertion on Verso, £16.99 the computer language. Recognising systems are favoured and would be the jacket that alcohol has played a role Alarm bells rang on reading the this, Samuelsson has devised a well- appropriate. Nevertheless, there are in the civilisation of our species. Marxist propaganda in the prologue of structured, step-by-step approach. All suggestions as to how the CAP and Observations in any town centre in Genes, Cells and Brains . My fears were the software files are easily available other support systems could be Britain on a Friday or Saturday night confirmed when the book’s first pages via the book’s website, so a reader can modified or developed to ensure that would soon modify this judgement. were dedicated to a description of Jim quickly get to grips with different HNVF can be maintained along Dr bernard Dixon obe Watson’s arrogance: this book is aspects of the subject. with all the benefits to society which politically motivated. Only later did I Each chapter deals with a different it provides. Animal notice that the publisher is “the use of bioinformatics, ranging from This is a visually attractive and Physiology imprint of New Left Books”. human disease to gene technology, stimulating book which should be read 3rd Edition I tried to keep an open mind and look giving the reader up-to-the-minute by a wide audience. People need to Richard W hill, for potentially genuine criticisms information in bite-sized chunks. The appreciate what they may lose unless Gordon A Wyse, alongside those that were unjustified or topics show the interdisciplinary more money goes to HNVF. Margaret Anderson irrelevant, but I found they weren’t nature of bioinformatics and are Dr John c bowman fsb Palgrave macmillan/ backed up by adequate evidence. I am introduced in a readable manner, sinauer associates, £51.99 willing to believe this book touches on so the novice is not swamped with The Ethics of The production of a textbook that genuine failings of the bioscience detail. This is followed by a Animal Research: encompasses even the core aspects of industry, but if I am to agree that the description of the computational Exploring the the whole of animal physiology is a human genome project was a waste of steps needed to obtain relevant data. Controversy huge task. Furthermore, there is money I need to read about its successes There are helpful exercises at the Jeremy R Garrett (Ed) always the danger that when and its failures to deliver. Instead the end of each chapter and also valuable miT Press, £18.95 addressing too broad a range of description focuses on fallings out appendices, including a guide to the Books on the material the text will lose depth. between the people behind the project. use of Unix and Perl, as well as ethics of animal Animal Physiology succeeds admirably This is a common theme. The descriptions of the major types experimentation have appeared with bOOZOLOGy: ThE in providing its readers with both a detailed accounts of history are full of of software. increasing regularity over the last 40 breadth and depth of material that is what seem to be insults without Dr leighton Dann years, so one might be forgiven for always interesting and well presented. coming to the point. Darwin is one of thinking there is little more to be said. AGE OF EThANOL The text never feels lightweight. The many on the receiving end. They state, high Nature Even so, a schism persists between integration of experimental findings for example, that EO Wilson’s work value Farming strong opponents of such research, on Alcohol and its Role in the total separation of roles on the into the text provides not only source fosters racism. I recently reviewed in Europe grounds of animal rights or Evolution of human Society basis of gender. material, but good examples that can Wilson’s The Social Conquest of Earth Rainer Oppermann, unwarranted animal suffering, and Ian S hornsey Ian Hornsey, founder of Nethergate be followed by students. Indeed, there (see page 36) and found it to be overtly Guy beaufoy, those who cite its regrettable necessity royal society of chemistry Brewery, modestly describes his book is a strong emphasis on teaching and anti-racism. In fact ,Wilson calls for Gwyn Jones (Eds) in the interests of human welfare. Alcohol and Publishing, £29.99 as an attempt to provide a basis for student use throughout. “the liberation of humanity from the Verlag regional Both perspectives appeal to ethical its Role in the Two 19th-century lithographs further research into the significance In common with other books in this oppressive forms of tribalism”. Kultur, £40.00 theory to justify their stance, and each Evolution reproduced in this excellent book of alcohol in the advancement of field, a conceptual approach is Aspects of the chapter on The term High Nature Value Farming side seems ultimately immovable in of Human highlight just one of the many ways in mankind, for example in the transition adopted. The first part is devoted to neuroscience were far more (HNVF) emphasises how crucial low their convictions. Society which alcohol, its production and of humans from hunter-gatherers to introductory material, followed by five informative, perhaps unsurprising intensity farming is to European Perhaps inevitably, this collection “This book consumption have affected the farmers. Nevertheless, he himself thematically organised parts given that Steven Rose is a biodiversity conservation. Such of 16 essays covers much familiar looks at the development of human society. One goes a long way towards this goal. addressing the key aspects of neuroscientist. It raises valuable farming is mainly traditional high- territory. But, as someone whose significance shows Peruvian women chewing While he has chosen not to include physiology. The text is richly and ethical questions and describes some labour practice, with low output on 50-year career has spanned both sides of alcoholic maize in order to convert the starch distillation, Hornsey reviews not only informatively illustrated using the of the research covered by Bruce marginal land – predominantly semi of the fence, I believe it also includes beverages into sugar by amylolysis, after which the many different ways in which currently popular soft-colour style. Hood’s The Self Illusion. So there is natural pastures, meadows contributions that break new ground. in the they used the semi-digested material people use, perceive and react to Each chapter is well referenced citing some food for thought in this book, it is and orchards. Christina Bellon, for example, notes advancement to brew chichi. The other picture is of alcohol, but also the archaeological, up-to-date sources. Most of these are just a shame that it’s hidden amongst These areas are important for their that the absolute submission of of mankind” their menfolk drinking and enjoying anthropological, historical and accompanied by a brief description of weak and irrelevant arguments. conservation value and for culture, research animals to experimenters’ the product. There was an almost scientific context of ethanol what can be found in each reference. Dr rebecca nesbit msb recreation, leisure and tourism, as well objectives, in terms of power,

34 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 35 ReVIeWS BOOKS

dependency and vulnerability, poses outlines the biology, behaviour, Our characteristics of altruism and The Ethics of previously largely overlooked questions ecology, distribution, diversity and selfishness, Wilson argues, are the Animal about the conduct of research. classification of mayflies. product of multi-level selection. Group Research Where feasible, assigning higher Altogether 369 species of 49 genera selection for altruism competes with “This priority to caring for animals after and 19 families are dealt with in detail. individual selection for selfishness. collection their use, responding more to their Accounts of species follow a common This is a fascinating topic, and behavioural needs and opening up format, which includes identification, Wilson provides explanations for includes research facilities to public inspection, distribution records, notes on the many aspects of our life, from religion essays that could be routes for promoting better biology and ‘remarks’ about type to language. The book itself is at break new conditions for animals, greater public material, variations and other useful times repetitive and at times hard to ground” understanding, and (because of information. Many colour understand, but it’s definitely a economic considerations) more urgent photographs are provided of live recommended read. efforts to seek alternatives to animals. specimens in their habitats, both Dr rebecca nesbit msb While unquestionably radical, this larvae and adults, along with approach might effectively challenge micrographs of male genitalia and Exploring the current impasse. scanning electron micrographs of Immunology: Professor ben mepham fsb eggs to aid identification. Concepts and Recent changes in nomenclature Evidence The Mayflies of are discussed, as well as gaps in Gordon Europe current knowledge and possible MacPherson & Ernst bauernfeind pitfalls concerning identification. A Jon Austyn and Tomáš Soldán comprehensive index, checklist and Wiley-blackwell, apollo books, more than 2,500 references allow £85.00 £125.00 further information to be found about As immunology is a discipline that No reference book European mayflies. overlaps medical and life sciences, covering all The authors should be there is great demand for high quality European mayflies has been published congratulated on producing a major textbooks to serve the lucrative since Eaton’s 1883-85 monograph. reference work which is likely to be an tertiary education market. By aiming Since then, many new species have essential tool for mayfly researchers, to be comprehensive references for use been discovered and a vast body of as well as being of interest to other throughout a university degree, the research has been carried out. This is a entomologists, freshwater biologists popular texts available provide a much needed book. and naturalists. steeper learning curve than some The introduction clarifies the Dr sue howarth cbiol fsb students find comfortable. A niche is The Mayflies of geographical areas covered and therefore open to a book that targets a Europe looks in detail at 369 defines technical terms helpfully. Line The Social predominantly first year species of the diagrams in the introductory chapter Conquest of Earth undergraduate audience, who often mayfly. explain detailed anatomy clearly and Edward O Wilson enter higher education with only the WW norton, £18.99 most basic understanding of the Ants and humans are principles of immunology. It is against amongst a tiny this backdrop that Wiley-Blackwell number of species to launches Exploring Immunology. achieve true What this trim volume does well is eusociality (the highest level of social engage students to assimilate novel organisation where individual group terminology and to comprehend, members have different roles). This synthesise and, when used fully, even book considers the reasons for the evaluate intellectually demanding evolution of eusociality, and the nature concepts. Once the basic tenets are of social behaviour in humans. established, the book discusses cutting A prerequisite for the development edge ideas and areas where knowledge of eusocial societies, found in insects, is incomplete. It integrates shrimps and mammals, is a central information from experimental nest site. Defending the nest against analysis and clinical observation. predators while others in the group go This is a worthy publication which hunting is the beginning of a division adds a new dimension to the crowded of labour between members of the immunology bookshelf – a carefully group. In his study of evolution, planned and skilfully crafted Wilson sheds light on what it means foundation course. It spans the gulf to be human. between degree-level teaching of It is in our nature to question who we immunology and the formative are, and for thousands of years experience of immunity that is humans have invented stories about presented in the secondary school our creation. Such myths often curriculum and in outreach activities strengthened the bond between tribal at science festivals. I recommend it members, but they shed no light on highly to all aspiring immunologists. why we are here. Instead, Wilson aims Dr andrew Taylor-robinson to do this with science. cbiol fsb

36 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 Society of Biology prize-winning prints now available

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Alexadder Flemidg, who discovered John blackman the antibiotic effects of penicillin, is Professor Linda Northwood MSb my most idspiratiodal biologist. Greensmith FSb Penicillin and other antimicrobials I’m a pridcipal sciedtist at Quotiedt have been instrumental in the Member news Bioresearch, a contract research development of modern medicine. Our regular round-up all about you, our Society members organisation specialising in early stage and specialist drug development The most excitidg advadce for the services. My role is to lead the future of drug developmedt and neW member Profile molecular biology division within medicine is the ability to stratify bioanalytical sciences, expanding our patients and their diseases for targeted Social Notices capabilities and areas of application. therapy by gene expression or whole Comedy, comms and crayfish genome sequencing. The use of Our chief executive, Dr Mark Downs, I obtaided my applied biology BSc at molecular biomarkers to predict will be holding informal sandwich Kidgstod Udiversity where I took therapeutic outcomes and monitor I rud a multidisciplidary research lunches with groups of 40-50 part in an exchange programme at disease progression will have a major group at the UCL Institute of members and smaller groups of Grand Valley State University, My role is to influence over the next 10 years. Neurology (IoN) investigating 10-15 Fellows. Michigan, USA. I also did an MSc in lead the the underlying causes of Places are available on a first biomedical sciences at Kingston. molecular I joided the Society for the neuromuscular disorders such as come, first served basis. to reserve biology codtiduidg professiodal motor neurone disease. We use both a place, please contact Zoë Martin I chose my BSc because it was broad division developmedt programme, with the in vitro and in vivo models of these at zoemartin@societyofbiology. and I hadn’t decided what to specialise within aim of becoming a Chartered Biologist. disorders to try and identify what org or call 020 7685 2564. in. In the US, I did an internship in a bioanalytical goes wrong. Using this information commercial microbiology lab and this I edjoy walks id the forest with my allows us to identify and test novel 12 march sciences was the deciding factor in choosing wife and (soon to be) three children, compounds to determine if they can Fellows’ Lunch, London microbiology. sailing dinghies and photography. modify the signs of disease in these 12:30–14:00 Charles Darwin house models. 10 april I studied physiology as ad Members’ Lunch, London 12:30–14:00 I graduated with First Class uddergraduate at UCL, followed Charles Darwin house Alison hines AMSb Hodours id applied biomedical by a PhD in neuroscience and work sciedces from the University of the as a post-doc at Imperial College. 9 may I work as a traidee healthcare West of England. During my degree I I was awarded a Wellcome Trust Fellows’ Dinner, London 19:00–22:00 sciedtist in haematology at the completed a 12-month sandwich Fellowship in 1996 to improve my Charles Darwin house Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), part placement in the haematology skills in molecular biology and of the NHS Healthcare Scientist laboratory at the BRI as a trainee appointed the Graham Watts 14 may Fellows’ Lunch, edinburgh Training Programme. There is both biomedical scientist. After my Senior Research Fellow at the IoN in 12:30–14:00 emerging challenge for ecologists. a scientific and clinical aspect to the placement, I knew I wanted to follow 1999, supported by a bequest to edinburgh, location tBC Dr Zara Gladman MSb Climate change may also force training, which involves specialised a career in healthcare science. fund research into the underlying conservationists to develop new techniques in the laboratory, as well causes of motor neurone disease. I 17 July Fellows’ Lunch, London I help orgadise Glasgow Sciedce approaches for managing endangered as attending haematology clinics. Ad idquiridg midd from a youdg was appointed as a professor in 12:30–14:00 Festival (which will run from 6-16 species, including translocations or age, always wanting to know how the 2009 and in 2011 I became head of Charles Darwin house June this year) and work as a public I hope to get ‘assisted migrations’, which could body and the world worked, led to a the Department of Motor 17 september engagement officer for the Clyde River involved prove controversial. deep interest in science. As I got Neuroscience and Movement Fellows’ Lunch, Bristol Foundation, a charity that delivers with public older, I became more focused on Disorders at IoN. 12:30–14:00 outreach projects about freshwater engagement I joided the Society as ad idterd last human biology. Bioscience is Bristol Zoo ecology in schools. events in year and was thrilled to work fascinating and constantly evolving, What I fidd excitidg is the 24 october my area alongside people who shared my which makes it such an exciting area. challedge to fidd effective Members’ Lunch, London I have a BSc Hods degree id zoology enthusiasm for engaging the public therapies for the range of 12:30–14:00 add a PhD id ecology, both from the about biology. By joining, I hope to get I was proud to wid the Society of neurodegenerative conditions that Charles Darwin house University of Glasgow. My PhD involved with public engagement Biology Top Studedt Award for are likely to become an increasing investigated the impact of invasive, events in my local area. academic performance in my burden on our ageing population. AGM non-native crayfish on native degree, which gave me the 2 may 2013 biodiversity in Scotland. Sciedce commudicatiod is a growidg opportunity to become a member. I joided the Society to keep up to 11:30 (refreshments from 11:00) field and I’ve been lucky enough to I feel that being part of the Society date with importadt charles Darwin house, london As a child I was fascidated by participate in a number of innovative will widen my area of scientific developmedts in the whole range of Professor Martin humphries will adimals. I obsessively collected projects, including Bright Club, a interest, and help me to become a bioscience subjects, and to support give the Charter Lecture, followed Wildlife Fact File guides and David comedy show by university researchers, better scientist. its educational activities. by lunch and the AGM. to attend, Attenborough was my hero. A school and the first ever Biology Week. I’m please register via mySociety (https: trip to the Isle of Arran fostered my excited to see what the future holds! Kdittidg is therapeutic – recently I I have recedtly taked up sailidg //myaccount.societyofbiology.org). love for fieldwork and inspired me to knitted over a hundred mini woolly and whenever the weather and time Alternatively, write to Natasha Neill apply for zoology at university. I edjoy watchidg (add occasiodally hats for charity. I am part of a knitting permit I want to be out on the waves at the address on page 2, or email performidg) stadd-up comedy, and crafting group and enjoy – there is no quicker way to forget [email protected] Predictidg how climate chadge will zara entertaining drinking White Russians in my comparing creations for inspiration. day-to-day stresses! idteract with species idvasiods is an at a school. favourite pub, and cooking.

38 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 39 MeMBeR NeWS NeW MeMBeRS LISt

JanUary 2013 elecTion New, Transfer & Chartered Members Affiliate haley, Aaron hall, Cassandra hall, Stephen hall, Richardson, Imogen Rimmer, John Ritson, Sharif, Kimberley Smith, Graeme Sneddon, Amy Abbott, Khadijah Abdel-Illah, Rukiya Abdi, Loryn halliday, Naimah hameed, Rebecca William Roberts, Cameron Robertson, elspeth Georgina Snelling, Thomas Spence, Lauren Faisa Abdisamad, Jonathan Abrahams, James handford, Tharindi hapuarachchi, Alessa Robinson, Victoria Rockell, Julie Rocque, Chris Sumner-Rooney, Gabriel Svobodny, Nicola Aburn, emma Ackerley, Grace Adams, Layla hardwick, Anya harris, Sarah harrison, Ben Rogers, Lucinda Rogers, Sean Rogerson, Ben talbot, Nigel taylor, tara Thrupp, hannah Afkhami, Amal Ahmed, Mobeen Akhtar, Rabina harvey, Fevziye hasan, Lauren hatfield, Rolfe, Anthea Roper-Nield, Jordan Rose, train, Abhishek trehan, Lucy Watson, Nigel Akhtar, Mariya Al hinai, hannah Alderman, Matthew hawkes, Jocelyn head, Laura heading, Victoria Rose, Scott Ross, Isobel Routledge, Wells, Amy Whetstone, Leigh Williams, Leanne Caroline Anderson, Ryan Anderson, emma Patrick healy, Anne-marie hemmings, Chloe Mia Rowe, Lisa Ruff, Katie Rule, Kay Russell, Wright, Yuxin Wu, huma Yousuf. Ankers, Connor Arkinson, Damilola Arulogun, henderson, terence henderson, Suzie hills, tessa Russell, Pooja Sainani, Maria Sajjad, James Ashley, tamsin Ashton, Jennifer Atkins, Laura hinchliff, Reshma hirani, Natasha ho, Gregory Salt, Manickam Sanjeevan, emily Member (MSb) Megan Atkinson, Jillian Augustine, Lydia Bach, heather hobson, Joshua hodgson, John-Paul Sansam, Mohit Santilal, Anmol Sawhney, Laura Marja Aberson, Christopher Aiken, Than Aung, Sarah Baker-Falkner, hannah Bancroft, Daniel hogan, Rebecca holdsworth, Jorden holmes, Schmidt, Mama Ntrina Sekyi-Djan, Brooke Christopher Aylward, Ian Baines, ethan Baldry, Band, Rashida Baptiste, Samantha Barker, Mandy holmes, tayah hopes, evan hopkins, Sessions, Roshana Shah, Orie Shaw, Joanne Pallavi Banerjee, Michael Jimmy Bassey, Carlo emily Barrington, emily Barrow, Robert Barry, Shane houston, Aimee howard, Charlotte Sheldon, Danika Sheppard, emily Sheraton, Berti, Sarah Boffey, Clare Buckland, elaine Chantelle Bartlett, Natasha Barttelot, Nicholas howard, Matthew hoyle, Anna hughes, eoin Simon Chi Chin Shiu, Ifthekar Siddequi, Marcus Cadogan, Kirandeep Chana, Mike Clease, Baxter, emma Beaton, hannah Beavis, hughes, Ryan hull, Francesca hutchinson, Silverman, harijeet Singh, Abigail Skinner, Richard Clemence, Johnathan Connell, Bertha Ashleigh Begg, Afia Begum, Christopher Bell, Gabrielle hutchinson, eve Ibbotson, Mariam Nicole Slavin, Sandra Smieszek, Felicity Smith, Corcuera, Alejandro Correa, Philip Cranley, Cheryl Bennett, Lauren Bennett, Sophie Ibragim, Stacey Ikhine, Nelson Iley, harriet Bertone Socorro, Katrina Soor, Kayleigh Jon Curwen, Michael Dodd, Kwabena Duedu, Bennett, Alexandra Bercow, Carl Bethell, Imrie, Ashleigh Irwin, Ali Izzat, Joanna Janus, Spellar, Natalie Spencer, Robert Stanley, Andrew Duggan, Peter elliott, Beatrix Fahnert, Stacey Bethell, Safina Bi, Laura Bibby, Matthias James Jarrold, Mozhgon Jeddi, Alex Jemmett, Kathlyn Stanley-Quist, Rachel Stapley, Chaido Paul Farrington, Ian Faulkner, Jeremy Frith, Kay Biber, Farhat Bibi, Clare Birch, evtim Bitrakov, Jarrad Jenkins, Liam Jenkins, Sophia Jenkinson, Stathopoulou, Paul Steckelberg, Sarah Steele, Greenshields, Achuta Guddati, Ryan Guest, Mariequette Bituin, Katie Bjerkan, Philipp Silje-Kristin Jensen, Mikael Jhutti, Chloe Anne helen Stephens, Justine Stephens, Maggie James hall, emily harris, Lauren headland Boersch-Supan, Allen Bolivar, Daniel Bolt, Johnson, Rebecca Johnson, Sophia Johnson, Stevenson, Phillip Stockton, Jessica Jones, Gareth hughes, Zaharah Ibrahim, David Douglas Borland, Stephanie Bourgeois, erin Johnston, Caitlin Jones, Lisa Jones, Stonestreet, edward Strickson, David Stringer, Jones, Philip Jones, Mustak Kapadia, elizabeth Kaouthar Bouzinab, Amy Bowman, Lucy Bown, Rebecca Jones, Alice Jordan, William Joyce, Natasha Stubbs-Davies, Sarah Sturdy, Kemp, Sharad Kholia, hon-hung, Ken Kwok, Matthew Boyd, Lucy Boyer, Matthew Brennan, Zanna Karsan, Agathe Kauzeni, Lisa Keane, Kimberley Summers, Laura Sutton, Marie Andrew Lambert, Kar tat eddie Lee, Susan Lee, Natalie Brennan, tom Brewer, Nicholas emer Kelly, Imogen Kelso, Jessica Kennnell, Swamba, Kathryn Swarbrick, Christopher Swift, Nathan Leishman, Gillian Lewis, Armelle Logie, Brice-Bennett, Charlotte Bridge, Andrew Rebecca Kettridge, Youssef Khalil, James Kirby, Adam Syanda, Rani tabasum, Jennifer taft, Claire Lonsdale, Dee Marshall, Karen McDaid, Brignall, Sam Brocklehurst, eloise Brown, Rebecca Kirk, Bernadette Kirkham-Maccallum, Meriem taleb, Pui Ying tam, Wai Lap tam, Jane McKenzie, Anthea McRiley, Jamilah Mohd- emma Brown, Sophie Brown, ella Browning, Neil Kirkpatrick, Josh Knight, Natalie Koch, Lucy Peter tasker, helena tattersall, Acacia taylor, Salim, Lorraine Mooney-Drummond, Minal Jake Bull, Cristina Bullock, Charles Bulman, Kucharik, Ivana Kusa, Bethany Kuszlewicz, Charlotte taylor, Nyree taylor, Thomas taylor, Pandya, Vikesh Patel, Suresh Pillai, Matthew Julian Burton-Pierce, David Butcher, Gabriele Jessica Kuzmanoska, Lok hei Kwan, Yun-San Keshiv Thakur, Ashok Thomas, James Thomas, Price, Joanne Priestley, Amar Rahi, Jonathan Butkute, Rebekah Butler, toby Buttress, Kwok, hemali Lalji, Anthony Lam, Danielle Lily Thomas, Charlotte Thompson, Rowan Ratcliffe, Camilla Robinson, Alfred Rogers, Thomas Caddick, Morelia Camacho-Cervantes, Langton, Jagpreet Lar, Andy Lau, Anna Lavery, Thompson, hannah tilley, Sophie tinsley, tom Chester Sands, Fraser Scott, Jo-Anne Sewlal, Anna Cameron, Cheryl Camilleri, Adina elodie Lawley, Laura Leacock, elizabeth toner, Anya tooley, Kimberley toothill, Marcia Kit hang Siu, Richard Spencer, Julie Stamford, Caparnagiu, Michael Carmona Jones, Kate Learmonth, Paul Leckey, Lauren LeFevre, townsend, Cheryl trew, Paul trimmer, Benjamin Swift, hei-Man Vincent tang, Jane Carney, Christopher Carroll, Leona Carruth, Kieran Leigh-Moy, Stephanie Leonida, Joseph Matthew trist, Matthew troote, Rebecca Thompson, Dawn trueman, Dale tucker, hector Darren Carty, tom Cawthorn, Damian Letchford, Samuel Letherby-Gribble, King Yi turner, Stephen turner, emily tye, Chisom Valero Garcia, Will Vincent, Sarah Willoughby, Chadwick, Alex Chambers-Ostler, Ming Chung Leung, Sean Lewin, Coralie Lewis, esther Lie, Umeobi, Thomas Underdown, Nivetha Peter Wilson, Zena Wilson, Nazia Yamin, George Chan, Yu-ting Chan, elizabeth Chapman, esther Lie, Penelope List, Llinos Lloyd, Vamathevan, Jessey Van Oostende- Zouganelis. Joseph Chappell, Mona Chauhan, Phillipa Christopher Lodge, Alexander Lord, Leon Swanepoel, Divya Venkatesh, eleanor Vesty, Cheesman, Pei-pei Chen, Daniel Cherry, Loughran, eleni-Anna Loundras, Kate Lowes, Charlotte Walker, Thomas Walker, Kai Waloen, RSciTech Anthony Cheung, Natascha Child, Katrina Chin, taylor Lura, Agata Lustyk, Camille Lyle, Kirsty Bryony Walsh, Clarissa Walters, Oliver Walters, Ian Baldwin, Christopher Claxton, Shivonne edwin Chiwaridzo, Siu tsun Chong, Jordan Lynas, Colin Magee, Bethan Mainwaring, Jing Wang, Samuel Ward, Alex Warne, Laura Cracknell, Adam Fletcher. Clark, elizabeth Clark-Lim, Sigourney Lorraine Mak, Deepak Malhi, Pegah Maneshi, Watson, Sam Weaver, Kirsty Webb, Jake Wells, Cockburn, Paul Coleman, Fern Coll, Josie Kerry Marker, Charlotte Marsh, Shamiso Joshua West, tegan White, teresa Whiteley , RSci Collins, Catreena Collister, Linden Condon, Marufu, Daisy Maryon, Naoko Masumoto, James Whiteside, Kerri Whiteside, Ashleigh Deborah Lee Bolton, Alice Daish. hilary Conlan, Sarah Connolly, Alex Cook, Naunehal Matharu, Lauren Mattingley, Mary Wilcox, Alexandra Wilkinson, Claire Williams, Andrew Cooke, Letitia Cookson, Megan Maurer, emily Mawbey, Jonathan Maxwell, George Williams, Jessica Williams, Kate Chartered biologist Member Coombs, emily Coop, Francesca Cooper, Rachel McBrinn, Ciara McCormack, Fionnuala Williams, Sophie Williams, tamara Williams, (Cbiol MSb) Jessica Cooper, Ryan Cooper, Alice McCully, Christopher McDougall, Matthew emma Louise Williamson, Christine Wilson, Gemma Bray, hannah Brett, Adam Copperwheat, Matthew Cotter, Shivonne McGoldrick, Fiona McKay, Kimberley Chloe Wiltshire, Kayleigh Winter, Arnaud Byron, Fernando da Mata, Louise Foster, Cracknell, Lauren Craigen, Andrew Crimmins, McLaughlin, Shane McLaughlin, Lorraine Wolfer, Ka Wing Wong, David Wood, Jenna James higgins, Nicholas humphreys, Joseph Cripps, Paul Cromie, Zoe Cross, Ana McLean, Calum McLuckie, Clare McMorrow, Woodward, Christopher Wooster, Laurence henry McLaughlin, hiroki Mori, Vydeki Cruz, erin Cubitt, Mollie Curran-French, James Meiring, Stacey Melia, Alistair Wootton, emma Wright, Kate Wright, Rachel Shanmuganathan. elizabeth Cwilewicz, Robyn Daeres-sam, Middlemiss, Sarah Midgley, eleanor Miller, Wright, Marzona Yeasmin, Pui Yee Yip, Peter Shantelle Dandy, Jack Daniell, Anna Daniels, helen Millott, Colette Mitchell, Lara Mizrahi, York, Blair Young, Christine Young, Freya Young, Chartered Scientist Member Alice Darbyshire, Rosemary Darko, Gwen Lara Mizrahi, Andrea Mooney, Christopher Anson Yu, Christa Yuekselsoy, Gergo Zalatnai, (CSci MSb) Davidson, Danielle Davies, Dee Davis, William Mooney, Christopher Moore, Kaveh Moravej, Jessica Zierhofer, Sebina Zisa-Davies. Raymond Boughton, Ian Cox, Kay Greenshields, Dawson, Caroline de Klee, Maria De Sousa, Jake David Morgan, Rebecca Morgan, Guy Morley, Michael Jones, Jonathan Lipman, Philip Delaney, Sophie Dennis, Andrew Denton, Thomas Moseley, Conor Mulholland, Michael Associate (AMSb) Richardson, Paul Ritchie, Parco M Siu. Darren Dickinson, Breanne Dilks, Seline Dilmec, Mullan, Christina Mulvenna, Jessica Murray, James Andrews, Alberta Anomah, Philip Deirdre Dinneen, Charlotte Dixon, eleanor Sarah Murtagh, Phillipa Myram, Amy Nash, Austin, Adil Bader, Ian Baldwin, Adam Beech, Fellow (FSb) Dixon, emily Dixon, Stuart Dixon, Sean Dobson, Martha Nash, eoghan Nevin, George Newell, Siham Bortcosh, Alexander Bowman, Sophie Marios Adamou, Asif Ahmed, Stuart Allen, Ruth Doherty, Margaret Mary Donnelly, Amber Rebecca Newton, tom Nicholson, Ksenija Britton, Caitlin Burns, Francesca Carlisle, Roger Anderson, Graham Boulnois, Phil Boyd, Dorey, Matt Dowty, Max Drakeley, Sanusi Nikolajeva, John North, Joseph Lochlainn, tara Darren Churchward, Richard Clark, emily Steven Burr, George Christophides, David Drammeh, Jacqueline Dreelan, Christopher O’Neill, Sara-Xaali O’Reilly Berkeley, Lauren Coode, Martin Coupe, helen Currie, Nicolas Coggan, Mahomed Dada, Mark Darlison, Duncan, Aleksandra Dylewska, Lawrence Oakes, timothy Oconnor, Oyindamola Dalliere, Charlotte Davies, emma Davies, Claire edwards, Dylan edwards, Clifford eagling, Rohan eapen, Jennifer easley, emma Ogunleye, Olayinka Ogutuga, Adetoye Ojeniyi, hamish De Baerdemaecker, Stuart Desjardins, elcombe, Sebastien Farnaud, Claude Gagna, eaton-Dykes, eric edmonds, Carmel edwards, Richard Oliver, Damola Olusegun, Frances Osis, Jessica Devonport, Lisa edwards, Kalem Neville hall, Thomas hietzker, Anna hine, Madeleine emms, Charlotte evans, ellen evans, emily Owen, Claire Ozber, Ross Pallett, Alice Flanagan, Adelina Gavrila, Girma Berahnu Bruce hood, Theresa huxley, Jacqueline Fiona evans, hannah evans, Jack evans, Palmer, Daniel Palmer, Jacob Palmer, Federico Gebre , Valerio Gelfo, Georgia Georgiou, Daniel Johnson, Leslie Kent, Sandra Kirk, Nick Lane, Matthew evans, Olivia evans, Scott evans, Paoletti, Fernando Pardo, Kasia Maria Parfitt, Giblin, Benjamin Goodall, Allon Gould, Andrew Alan Muir, Kevin O’Dell, Peter Okorie, Bradley Fairclough, Alex Fall, Adna Farah, Adam Kelly Park, Ashley Parkes, Florence Parkinson, Gray, Laetitia Gunton, Adam harding, Grace Andrew Owen, Sharon Pearsall, Ole Petersen, Farrier, Joe Fawcett, Sarah Fenn, Billy Ferrara, Sanya Parveen, hemalvi Patani, Kirsty Patrick, harley, Richard harrison, Jennifer hayward, Jennifer Potts , Dan Quinton, Paul Ramsay, eleanor Fewings, Al Firth, Karl Fisher, Jessica Richard Patton, Ruha Peera, tim Penny, Natalie haywood, Anne-Laure hepp, Nicholas Rona Ramsay, Alan Raybould, Julie Roberts, Flanagan, Thomas Flint, Charlotte Forbes, Ben Victoria Penson, Daniel Perfitt, Roberta Peters, holmes, Julie hope, Daniel hunter, Maxwell Stephen Rutherford, Fergus Ryan, Jon Sayers, Ford, Robert Fordham, Alexandra Formela, Christopher Petrie, Brian Phelan, Louise Kaplan, Shirley Keeton, emma Kleppang, heidi John Schwabe, Crispian Scully, Frank Sengpiel, William Forster, Bethany Foster, emily Fulda, Phillimore, elisha Pickett, emma Pickup, Lorcan Knight, James Leaf, tanya Leslie, Stephen Steven Setford, Cliff Sharp, Michael Shipston, Kiran Gadhave, Daniel Gallagher, Kevin Pigott-Dix, Galatia Politopoulou, Sarah Mansbridge, Jennifer Martin, Victoria Martin, Anita Simmers, David Skydmore, Karen Gallagher, Natasha Ganecki, erica Gardiner, Pottinger, tamires Powell, emma Power, Lorna Lucia Martin Lopez, Sue McCarthy, Claire Smith, Alan Spivey, Michael Stear, Katherine Max Gardner, Reanna-Kate Garraghan, Powerll, Lee Pozo, Liam Pressley, Louise Price, Metcalf, Julia Morrison, Catriona Munro, Steele, Molly Stevens, Charles Streuli, James Jasmine Gartshore, Rachel Gater, Girma Gebre, Laura Pritchard, Sophie Pritchard, Danielle emma Murphy, Joanna Murray, Felicity Muth, Stutchbury, Roger tabor, Gareth Thomas, Stuart Geddes, Jay Ghumania, Oliver Glenister, Prowse, Kerstin Pryke, hannah Puddephatt, huda Nuamah, Przemyslaw Ociepa, Ashleen Nicholas topley, Charlotte Uhlenbroek, Natalie Glew, Sadio Gollop, Amber-Jade Jessica Purnell, Joe Pybus, Adele Pyle, Roberta O’Kane, helen Orbidans, Zigmunds Orlovskis, Iain Valentine, Anthony Whetton, Andrew Goodenough, Andrew Goodsell, Peter Quarshie, Amelia Qureshi, Farah Raja, Sindhee Andrew Pearce, Matthew Pearson, Philip Peart, Wilkie, Clifford Wood, David Wraith, Goonajee, Mark Graham, Megan Graham, Ramsahye, Michael-Thomas Ramsey, Arthur Beth Penrose, holly-Anna Peterson, Robert Iain Young. Joanna Grainger, Neale Grant, Danielle Gray, Ramshaw, Rohit Rana, Vijayeta Rana, Sophie Pickering, Aurelien Pommier, Daniel Power, emma Graystone, Kyle Green, Antonia Gregory, Rance, Jennifer Rawsthorn, George Renney, Greg Pridgeon, Daniella Rabaiotti, Mohammed Chartered Scientist Fellow Carina Gsottbauer, Kathryn hadfield, Alicia Laura Rhodes, Marcus Rhodes, Jessica Rasool, Sophie Robinson, Gavin Rutledge, (CSci FSb) hague, Georgia haines-Woodhouse, Gerard Richardson, Nicholas Richardson, Samantha Rebecca Saleeb, Carys Scholefield, Ahmad Clifford Collis, Douglas Cross.

40 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 RJBE 45-2 Outside Cover.qxp:Layout 1 5/2/11 3:37 PM Page 1

RJBE 45-2 Outside Cover.qxp:Layout 1 5/2/11 3:37 PM Page 1

ISSN 0021-9266 ISSN 0021-9266 ISSN 0021-9266 ISSN 0021-9266 JournalBiologicalof Education

Volume 46 Number 3 September 2012 Volume 46 Number 4 December 2012 Volume 45 Number 2 June 2011 Volume 45 Number 3 September 2011

ERIDOB ISSUE VolumeJuneNumber 2011 45 2

Jourxal of Biological Educatiox Journal of Biological Education is firmly established as the authoritative voice ix the world of biological educatiox. The jourxal aims to bridge the gap betweex research axd practice, providixg ixformatiox, ideas axd opixiox, ix additiox to critical examixatioxs of advaxces ix biology research axd teachixg. Through the coverage of policy axd curriculum developmexts, the latest results of research ixto the teachixg, learxixg axd assessmext of biology are brought to the fore. Each volume of JBE coxtaixs four issues axd members of the Society of Biology cax subscribe for just £40 a year. Coxtact [email protected] for more details. www.tandfonline.com/rjbe

Published on behalf of the Society of Biology by Routledge

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details and prices are available on the Corner (south of the Village of Meare, CONTACTS branch pages of the Society’s website. Somerset) at OS grid reference ST 449397. Contact Mark Howard at BEDS, ESSEX & HERTS naTUral hisTory [email protected] or Dr Theresa Huxley branch events 01179 423688 to book. Please give a [email protected] ❱ Dates for your diary: what’s going on in your local area PhoTograPhy Day April 2013 contact telephone number in case of A photography day on Hilbre Island. bad weather. DEVON & CORNWALL Further details and prices are Miss Christine Fry available on the branch pages of the [email protected] Society’s website. yorkshire EAST ANGLIA annUal schools qUiz are hUmans sTill eVolVing? Miss Amanda Burton East Midlands Wednesday 19 June 2013 Wednesday 20 February 2013 17:30 [email protected] This year our popular quiz will be Is human evolution over? Have the Professor liz socKeTT held at UCLAN, Preston. great advancements in technology EAST MIDLANDS lecTUre Communications will be made with and medicine weakened natural Mrs Rosemary Hall tuesday 26 February 2013 past participants; new schools are selection’s grip over us? Professor [email protected] Predatory Bdellovibrio bacteria kill always welcome to the competition. Steve Jones is a well-known pathogens: Can they be our allies in a proponent of the view that human KENT, SURREY & SUSSEX world of increasing antibiotic evolution has drastically slowed Dr David Ware resistance? Liz’s lecture will be at the Scotland down or even stopped altogether. We kentsurreysussex@ University of Leicester. For further welcome him to share his views and societyofbiology.org details contact Dr Cas Kramer annUal PeTer Wilson arguments over this scientifically- [email protected] or Dr Ron lecTUre contentious discussion. Members’ LONDON Dixon [email protected] thursday 21 February 2013 price is £2 and for non-members £3. Mr Ken Allen The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Richard Robert’s Auditorium, [email protected] regional schools biology hosting The Evidential Basis for Food The University of Sheffield, comPeTiTion and Environmental Policy lecture by 117 Brook Hill, Sheffield S3 7HF. NORTH WALES Saturday 16 March 2013 Professor Ian Boyd, chief scientific Dr Rosemary Solbé There will be a series of biology adviser to DEFRA. Food and reTireD members lUnch [email protected] poster, essay and podcast environmental policy are arguably the thursday 14 March 2013 12:00 competitions to celebrate National most important for any government We will meet at The Farthings NORTH WESTERN Science & Engineering Week (15-22 because of the duty to ensure that Restaurant, Leeds City College, Mr Glenn Upton-Fletcher March 2013). Prize giving will take there is a sufficient supply of the basic Thomas Danby Campus, Leeds LS7 [email protected] place at the University of Leicester. commodities for life. Further details 3BG. For £5 members will get a The yorkshire For more details and to book a place sTePPing oUT in sPring For further details contact Dr Cas are available on the branch website. three-course lunch and coffee. NORTHERN branch will be on an event, see Branch Contacts, far Saturday 27 April 2013 14:00 Kramer [email protected] and to Contact Cliff Beddows for further Dr Michael Rowell visiting the right, unless stated otherwise. Horticulturist and plant historian register your school to enter please details: [email protected] [email protected] himalayan garden and Caradoc Doy will lead this illustrated contact [email protected] Thames valley sculpture Park, talk and guided walk in the grounds himalayan garDen anD NORTHERN IRELAND ripon. Devon & Cornwall of the University of Exeter. Caradoc fUncTional fooDs lecTUre scUlPTUre ParK Dr David Roberts was trained at Pershore College of London thursday 7 March 2013 19:00 Saturday 18 May 2013 11:00 [email protected] Professor DaViD Horticulture and has become an Professor Bob Rastell, Department of A visit to the spectacular woodland nichols lecTUre authority on the history of the WalKing islingTon’s Food and Nutritional Studies at garden which shows off azaleas, SCOTLAND Saturday 23 February 2013 14:00 Veitch Nurseries. Meet in the meDical hisTory Reading, will be speaking about the rhododendrons, magnolias, cornus Dr Jacqueline Nairn Starfishes have five arms, Seminar Room, School of Friday 13 April 2013 13:00 development of biotechnological and other Himalayan plants in their [email protected] while Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Starting at Angel Underground manufacturing methods for natural setting, 850 feet above sea sea- Building, University of Station (Northern Line) the walk will functional food ingredients such as level. Meet at the Himalayan Garden THAMES VALLEY anemones Exeter. last one to two hours and explore probiotics. This annual joint lecture and Sculpture Park, The Hutts, Ray Gibson and corals many of the historical medical sites in with the Royal Society of Chemistry Grewelthorpe, Ripon HG4 3DA. [email protected] have multiples of Islington, such as the first GP surgery is at Harborne Building, University of Admission price £6. Further details four. Some use colour and an early pharmacy. Also we will Reading, Whiteknights Campus. at www.himalayangarden.com WESSEX for camouflage, but others visit London Fever Hospital, once the Ms Rachel Wilson for advertisement or main facility for London’s fever agm WiTh royal socieTy [email protected] warning and yet others patients. The walk is free, but please Western of chemisTry use light in their lUnDy book online via the mySociety area of Wednesday 22 May 2013 18:00 WEST MIDLANDS defence. islanD the Society’s website. For details email sTarling roosT This year the annual meeting jointly Ms Debbie Dixon A lecture on a VisiT [email protected] sPecTacUlar anD arranged with the local branch of [email protected] fascinating tuesday 2-9 reserVe WalK the RSC will feature Professor variation of echinoderms will July 2013 thursday 7 February 2013 14:00-17:30 Charles Lacey discussing Drug WESTERN be held in The School of Biosciences, Members will be staying on Lundy North Western A guided walk through the RSPB Ham Development. It will be hosted at Ms Joan Ashley Geoffrey Pope Building, University Island this summer and welcome Wall Nature Reserve with former the Chemistry Department, [email protected] of Exeter. Refreshments are those who would like to come along. bUrTon mere rsPb assistant warden, Mike Johnson. We University of York and attendance provided. Everyone is welcome and The boat goes over on Tuesday, Saturday 9 March 2013 may stray from the old railway track is free. Further details will be YORKSHIRE more details will be available on the Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday Booking is essential for this guided walk so bring suitable footwear. Meet at the available on the branch pages of the Mr Paul Bartlett branch website. of that week. on Burton Mere wetlands. Further Natural England Car Park at Ashcott Society’s website. [email protected]

42 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 www.societyofbiology.org/branches www.societyofbiology.org/branches Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 43 BRANCh NeWS eVeNt RePORtS

tetraodonis and Vibrio alginolyticus its pale olive green/grey convex cap. and present in a number of animals, A full list of the fungi identified is including puffer fish. available on the branch website. Dr Tanczos explained that though Dr David Ware cbiol fsb branch reports the existence of zombieism is much ❱ A round-up of our members’ activities disputed, tetrodotoxin is a known inhibitor of voltage gated fast sodium London Amphibian Breeding Unit, and we accepted the chairman’s and channels in nerve cell Giraffe Quarters. We loved feeding treasurer’s report and agreed the membranes, herbal meDicine the giraffes – and meeting the budget for 2012-13. blocking nerve 22 November 2012 recently born baby. Some chose to A special mention was made for Dr pathways and Simon Mills, an authority on visit the state-of-the-art Pat Horton’s contribution to branch preventing herbal medicines, gave a greenhouses, featuring vertical life as she announced her retirement muscular stimulating insight into hydroponic growing systems from the committee. Dr Horton contraction. them, comparing ancient (Verticrop), the produce of which devoted considerable time to The toxin is ideas with modern formed part of our tasty lunch. ensuring that the branch ran usually fatal treatments. Simon discussed members in bumblebee has an advantage over christine fry msb smoothly and recently finished a stint but occasionally a wide range of plants and northern ireland other bee species in that it can as treasurer in challenging times. Dr it can cause total spices with health promoting were treated generate extra heat in its body, Horton’s position of treasurer has paralysis. The topic properties, including turmeric, to a lecture on allowing it to fly even in very cool bumblebees by East Midlands been taken by Dr Cas Kramer from provoked plenty of wormwood and black pepper. Dr mark brown, conditions. However, the annual the University of Leicester. discussion. He argued that modern pictured second nature of its life cycle, with only the fabUloUs fUngi The evening concluded with a Dr David Ware cbiol fsb approaches to healthcare and from left. mated females hibernating, leaves 28 October 2012 lecture on The Performance Animal: treatments – the search for the the species sensitive to loss. Ray Halstead, expert mycologist and A scientific approach, by Dr macrofUngi mission ‘magic bullet’ – missed the original The horticultural industry is county recorder for Lincolnshire, led Jacqueline Boyd and Cassie White of 11 November 2012 ideas and purposes of herbal dependent on the availability of the annual public foray at Whisby Nottingham Trent University. It was Professor Maurice Moss led 30 medicines, where the body’s pattern sufficient insect pollinators. Nature Park. interesting to hear how the scientific members and guests in search of of responses was more important Conservationists are concerned About 25 of us soon found approach to enhancing the fungi amongst the autumn leaves than the illness itself. Disease and that over the last 30 years the mushrooms and toadstools performance of elite athletes was in Sheepleas, Surrey. A range of constitutional maladies were number of bumblebees has dropped aplenty. The being applied to horses and dogs. wood-rotting species were identified, understood in simple terms related considerably, due to competition yellowing knight Performance mapping is not such as the razor-strop fungus to hot, cold, damp or dry. For from other bee species and parasites. (Tricholoma new to the equine world but (Piptoporus betulinus) and the example, cold by itself is survivable, Bumblebees normally thrive in wild scalpturatum) lags behind the modern artist’s bracket (Ganoderma but cold and damp lead to illness. areas populated with a wide variety was one of the sports science applied to applanatum), named because when Treatment is to use warming spices of flowering plants, but this habitat is first finds humans. Looking at the the lower surface is scratched it such as ginger and cinnamon, two of now disappearing due to widespread Devon & Cornwall although it performance of canine changes from light to dark brown, the most valuable and sought after land-use changes and urbanisation. needed to be athletes is a young, but producing clear lines. commodities in the days of the Dr brian green cbiol msb UP close anD Personal taken home for rapidly developing, science. Another common polypore, the seafaring trade. 19 October 2012 positive David ashworth cbiol msb turkey tail fungus (Trametes Finally, when asked which herbal An eclectic mix of about 40 members identification. The versicolo), relates to the white to treatments he recommended for a North Western visited Paignton Zoo. Dr Amy snowy waxcap brown bands on the upper surface of long and healthy life, Simon replied Plowman, head of field conservation (Hygrocybe virginea) was discovered Kent, Surrey & Sussex its fruiting body. We also found, on an “chocolate and red wine”, something marine Day and research, introduced us to the south of the railway line in some short old tree stump, the small conical everyone agreed could be a herbal 24 October 2012 zoo’s scientific work and trust, and grass and clouded agaric (Clitocybe zombieism agaric, bleeding fairy helmet (Mycena treatment of choice. Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside! members caught up over lunch to nebularis) was found in the leaf litter 17 October 2012 haematopus) which, when cut, exudes Dr cliff collis csci cbiol fsb Especially during Biology Week… some of exchange ideas and discoveries. under an oak tree. The strange phenomenon of a red dye. The magpie fungus Together with Blackpool and The the Devon We then formed groups for In the woodland we came across ‘zombieism’ entertained students at (Coprinus picacea) discovered among Fylde College and Sea Life Blackpool, & cornwall members at the exclusive behind the scenes visits to brown rollrim (Paxillus involutus) Sutton High School for Girls. Dr Anna beech leaves is possibly poisonous and Northern Ireland our branch sponsored a Marine Day in giraffe quarters, our chosen areas – the Avian and, growing from the base of an old Tanczos, from the University of Surrey, certainly unpleasant as it is reported Blackpool. The morning comprised of Paignton zoo. Breeding Centre, Bio-secure stump, the oyster mushroom gave an engaging and informative to produce the volatile compound WhaT’s all The bUzz aboUT? workshops: Katrin Lohrengel, from (Pleurotus ostreatus). The latter is presentation linking zombie tales to skatole, found in human faeces. 16 October 2012 Sea Watch, helped identify cetaceans prized for its culinary value; the sodium transport channels. There was also the parasol Our Biology Week lecture, held native to British waters; Dr Dan Exton, former most certainly not! The story starts at the Albert mushroom (Macrolepiota procera), jointly with the County Armagh from the conservation organisation A large and very old brown birch Schweitzer hospital in Deschapelle, known as a delicacy, and the slimy Wildlife Society, featured Dr Mark Operation Wallacea, demonstrated bolete (Leccinum scabrum) was Haiti, with the appearance of a milk-cap (Lactarius blennius), with Brown, reader in ecology and techniques involved in underwater handed to Ray but, much to the desperately sick man called Clairvius conservation at Royal Holloway surveys of coral reefs; and Glenn disappointment of some of the Narcisse. Shortly after his arrival he University and an international Upton-Fletcher shared his youngsters, it wasn’t stuffed full of was declared dead and then buried. expert on social insects. His experiences of photographing wildlife. maggots – as they often are – when Around 18 years later he reappeared, particular interest is in bumblebees Matt Clough, who is responsible for he sliced it through. and claimed not to have been dead and he treated a packed audience shark tagging in the Mersey estuary ray halstead but paralysed and that he to a fascinating lecture on this and Liverpool Bay, gave our first remembered being buried. It seems endangered genus. lecture of the afternoon. He explained agm & lecTUre likely that Clairvius had been Mark explained the phylogeny of the importance of the research and 22 November 2012 poisoned by tetrodotoxin, a toxin bees in the Apidae family; only a few the species that have been recorded in Nottingham Trent University hosted produced by symbiotic bacterial are social and these include the the area. Dr Exton then described the our Annual General Meeting, where species such as Pseudoalteromonas honey bee and bumblebee. The varied research opportunities

44 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 www.societyofbiology.org/branches www.societyofbiology.org/branches Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 45 BRANCh NeWS eVeNt RePORtS

available for students through invasive veterinary treatment islands or their wildlife beautiful. Operation Wallacea. without resorting to anaesthetics. Alien species introduction and Delegates spent the Similarly, patterns of behaviour that hunting by sailors have changed the early evening at Sea maintain activity and fitness are islands’ flora and fauna from Darwin’s Life Blackpool – without encouraged: the tigers must jump day. Conservation of indigenous the general public. into a large pool in their enclosure to species includes captive raising and Aquarists were on hand drag ashore chunks of horsemeat tied release programmes. Visitors mainly for informal tours to wooden rafts. The tigers and tour the islands by boat, going ashore around the aquariums, jaguars had been rescued from for visits each day, and Galapagos laboratories and garages and backyards in the UK. National Park imposes a ‘don’t touch quarantine area. The day Most people are familiar with the wildlife’ policy. The resulting concluded with a wine and conservation projects undertaken by animal indifference to visitors cheese supper in view of the sharks, zoos such as Whipsnade and Marwell guarantees sightings at close quarters who showed little interest in the tasty but not of the work of ‘small’ zoos (a biologist’s dream), including the Lancashire Creamy. (fewer than 100,000 visitors annually) famous land and marine iguanas, Jean Wilson fsb such as Sandown. We all came away though the Galapagos finches are with an extremely good impression – more elusive. not just of Sandown Zoo itself – but Pam speed msb Thames valley also of its contributions to education and overseas conservation projects. maD coWs anD mobiles Jack coughlan cbiol msb yorkshire 16 October 2012 In an interesting lecture, Professor DeVeloPmenT in all Colin Blakemore discussed how public DirecTions norma West Midlands understanding of science has broadbridge 10 November 2012 progressed over the last couple of mbe, who gave The galaPagos – a Over 70 people came to the decades – from mad cow disease to a talk on the biologisT’s Dream University of Sheffield to hear about mobile phones. Interpreted by the galapagos 18 October 2012 research developments in evolution, public as a failure of science, the BSE islands to We celebrated Biology Week 2012 embryology and experimental West midlands scandal marked the beginning of the members. The with a talk on the Galapagos Islands at medicine. Our co-hosts for the public losing interest in science. Colin tortoise shell the University of Birmingham. Norma meeting had set up a living described how the communication of she is sitting on Broadbridge MBE fascinated us with demonstration of newly fertilised science then became a duty of scientists. is empty and in maps, slides and quotes from Charles zebra fish eggs under the microscope He concluded by stating that science a visitor centre Darwin in an account of her journey and individual cells could be clearly and norma is can be good for society, and that there is following all the through the islands. observed dividing and re-dividing. a positive association with scientific conservation Darwin’s words made us smile; he Dr Tanya Whitfield, of the MRC advances and progression, especially in rules! clearly did not consider either the Centre for Developmental and terms of human health. He noted that Biomedical Genetics, described the there is an increasingly positive image development of the embryo, with of scientists as experts in their fields. video footage. We learnt how work on Dr Kerry broom fsb zebra fish has relevance to humans, for example the hedgehog signalling pathway – one of the key regulators in Wessex cell development in all bilaterians. Dr Paula Rudall of Kew took us in sanDoWn zoo an entirely different direction: on the 15 September 2012 evolution of flowers. Dr Vincent Branch member Tracy Dove, Cunliffe discussed the work with Sandown Zoo’s education and zebra fish at the MRC Centre in conservation officer, hosted our visit Sheffield in more detail, illustrating to the zoo on the Isle of Wight. Wessex his talk with images of the developing has a dozen or so members on the nervous system. Finally, Professor island but this was the first time in the Peter Holland of Oxford University branch’s 40-plus years we have gave us an historical perspective on organised an event there. the classification of organisms. After Tracy outlined Sandown Zoo’s a gallop from Bonnet through Cuvier history, ethos and activities, ranging we arrived (of course) at Darwin. from breeding programmes and The talks gave a clear international field conservation demonstration of how initial non- projects through to public education. applied research with no particular A guided tour of the animal purpose, except the extension of collection followed and the zoo’s vet knowledge, can lead to important discussed welfare aspects and practical results in both the explained how large cats could be understanding of and approach to trained, using a sort of Pavlovian practical issues today. conditioning, to accept routine non- clive Tiney cbiol msb

46 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 www.societyofbiology.org/branches UK PlantSci 2013 University of Dundee 16th – 17th April Keynote speakers Charles Godfray (University of Oxford) David Baulcombe (University of Cambridge)

Annual Conference of the UK Plant Sciences Federation www.plantsci2013.org.uk

WIN A £25 BOOK Crossword TOKEN Pit your wits against our synapse-sizzling biology brainteaser Across volume 60 no 1 compiled by Doug Stanford without a definition. One answer 1 Famous actor joins church (6) is an abbreviation. Down answers 4 Gran involved in change of address (8) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 provide the normal combination of a 9 I will shortly leave artillery (6) definition and a cryptic indication. 10 Not viable – collapses without 9 10 oxygen (8) how to enter 11 he gets thrown by pet pony (9) To be in with a chance of winning a 13 Climb (5) 11 12 13 £25 book token please send us your 14 terribly cold isn’t it around top of completed puzzles by Friday 8 March Norway (8) 2013. Please include your name, 15 It turns up in beer tent (4) 14 15 address and membership number 18 tiny temperature and almost all use 16 17 with your entry – an email address Kelvin (4) would be handy too. Post your entries 18 19 20 21 20 After this place it’s terribly tidy (8) to: Crossword, The Biologist, Society 24 Right path coming back (5) 22 23 of Biology, Charles Darwin House, 12 25 My boss is one to get upset (9) 24 25 26 Roger Street, London, WC1N 2JU. 27 Litmus deployed by us (8) 28 Continue taking care of (6) Winners 29 Wriggling eel gets into knots 27 28 Well done to last issue’s winners, Dr somehow (8) Adam Byron CBiol MSB and Mr Brian 30 time to publish (6) Robert James Morgan CBiol MSB. 29 30 Book tokens on the way. Down 1 ecosystem starts to suffer without a 16 Very small part of bigger machine (4) major predator (5) 17 Saying double helping of fruit makes Last issue’s solution Vol 59 No 5 2 Ran lest might become hunter’s you unwell (8) trophy (7) 19 One nurses treated at the start of 3 Sort of elementary vehicle, good the day (7) French one, first in class (8) 21 Some curtains I design for interiors (7) 5 Occurs when front of ship goes in 22 everyone wanting cure that gets rid of to ram (6) cold – that is appealing (6) 6 Sort of vacant expression when girl 23 Does up place to give the appearance takes over guy’s heart (6) of being genuine (6) 7 Start broadcast outdoors (4-3) 26 It’s said scents smell for example (5) 8 Former partner with time merely upset? Not just merely (9) This issue 12 Jaw from tibetan animal reportedly (4) Our usual crossword format with 14 exotic trees isn’t what one likes to all the across answers being from spend time on (9) the world of biology and clued

Vol 60 No 1 / the BIOLOGISt / 47 FINAL WORD DR MARK DOWNS FSB, ChIeF eXeCUtIVe, SOCIetY OF BIOLOGY

GOING GLObAL aking the Society policy and influencing elected Recognising qualifications more active, politicians; diversifying and across international boundaries internationally, growing membership; and helping is an obvious area in which the is important. As with professional development Society can work with colleagues with biology, we and careers. But, unlike many in European Union member haveM the opportunity to learn from Membership Organisations, and the states. But, a collective European international collaboration and, Society of Biology itself, a glaring voice on key policy areas is also where needed, lead the debate. difference is the income received critical. To influence the agenda Most of the core challenges in from government contracts at AIBS. in Brussels we need to join forces biology, such as climate change In the same way that many UK with other biology groups across or food security, require global charities have become reliant on the EU, and with more than 70% solutions and professional bodies large Government contracts for of our domestic legislation can play a key role. care or other service delivery, AIBS originating in Europe, there is a As a Society with a broad relies on a substantial contract to significant incentive. membership, we have a pretty organise and operate peer review of The Society has already been good sense of what other learned US public biology funding. Being at involved in a range of EU activity, societies do across the UK. But until the heart of a fair and robust peer from the Common Agricultural recently our contact with like- review system that deals with the Policy to the Directive on the Use minded organisations around the detail of US public funding is clearly of Animals in Research, but links world has been far too limited. As a attractive, but the risk of failing to with sister organisations have been starting point, we have established renew terms every five years is a ad hoc and need to be strengthened. links with the American Institute of constant challenge. Our membership of the European Biological Sciences (AIBS). Like the AIBS is not only keen to work Countries Biologists Association Society, it has both individual and more closely with us on global issues (ECBA) has been the historic route organisational members and I was such as GM, stem cell research to EU collaboration, but it has lost delighted to speak at one of their and sustainable development, but direction and drive in recent years We have the recent strategy sessions. also on the mutual recognition of and is in urgent need of a facelift. opportunity One of the first things that struck professional qualifications across To set the ball rolling, the Society to learn from me in the US was the similarity the Atlantic. This could benefit is hosting a meeting of key ECBA collaboration in its structure and challenges. members in both organisations, members this month, after a very Much of the debate was the same and we’ve already made a start positive meeting with German and, where as a meeting of Society Member in North America by mutually colleagues in December. needed, lead Organisations – open access and recognising Chartership Status with We hope this will be the start the debate the impact on learned society the Canadian College of Applied of a far more active role for the publishing, academic freedom Biology, where being registered is Society at a European level, and an and libraries; evidence based an employment requirement. increasing influence globally.

48 / the BIOLOGISt / Vol 60 No 1 Life Science Research

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