RESEARCH HORIZONS In this issue SPOTLIGHT ON CHINA plus news and views from across the University

University of Cambridge research magazine www.rsd.cam.ac.uk Issue 6 | Summer 2008 EDITORIAL PROFESSOR RICKY WONG, HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY BRUCE HUETT (PHOTO EDITING: ROY BARLOW) Foreword Welcome to the summer issue of Research Horizons, focusing on the rich variety of China-related research across the University of Cambridge. Two academics who share a common interest in China’s business interactions with the rest of the world are shown on our front cover. Professor Hans van de Ven, Chair of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, sheds light on an Unlocking Nature’s When a woman becomes early period of globalisation in biochemical secrets a religious dynasty China’s modern history. And Dr Jin Zhang from the University’s Judge Business School reflects on the remarkable recent development Contents of China’s strategic industries. Research News 3–7 We also explore China’s Recent stories from across the University contributions over past millennia to art and culture, science and technology: from the stories behind Spotlight: China 8–17 the beautiful and intricate jade Jade: the ‘Stone of Heaven’ 9 carvings at The Fitzwilliam Museum, Unlocking Nature’s biochemical secrets 10 to the fascinating work of Imperial Tracing the history of modern globalisation in China 12 astronomers endeavouring to make Globalisation today: Chinese big business 14 quantitative sense of the cosmos. Juxtaposing this heritage with ‘Noodle-ology’: the politics of cuisine 15 modern-day needs, we hear how Making sense of the cosmos in ancient China 16 state-of-the-art pharmacology is re-evaluating the ancient Preview 18–19 formulations of traditional Chinese When a woman becomes a religious dynasty medicine to benefit the drugs of tomorrow. And have you ever considered the cultural identity and Features 20–30 politics of noodles? Read on! Living with uncertainty 20 Continuing our aim to highlight Bridging the sensor gap 22 initiatives that connect disciplines New paths to drug discovery 23 and harness expertise across the University, we hear about two Cosmopolitan cities of Eurasia 24 programmes doing just this: one to Clockwork plants 26 enable leaps forward in sensor Celebrating cinema, from 1895 to the digital age 28 research and the other to meet the Designing sustainable cities of the future 30 challenges of drug discovery. We hope that you find much to inform and entertain you in this issue Inside Out: Professor Nicola Clayton 31 – from the memoirs of a Tibetan princess to the changing face of In Focus: Medical Research Council (MRC) 32–33 Eurasian cities, the joy of cinema to the uncertainty of risk, the in-built Research Support 34–35 clocks of plants to sustainable cities of the future. Many thanks go to News from Research Services Division 34 our contributors for providing these News from Cambridge Enterprise Ltd 34 fascinating insights into their Forthcoming events 35 research. The Back Page 36 Your way into Cambridge

Cover photograph of Dr Jin Zhang and Professor Hans van de Ven (Photographer: Keith Heppell). Dr Louise Walsh Edited by Louise Walsh. Editor Designed by Cambridge Design Studio (www.cambridgedesignstudio.org). Printed by Cambridge University Press (www.cambridge.org). [email protected] ©2008 University of Cambridge and Contributors as identified. All rights reserved.

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A new vision for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology The recently announced merger of the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Institute of Biotechnology heralds a new dimension for research and teaching opportunities in Cambridge. Growing out of increasingly overlapping placed to contribute to research interests and fruitful sustainable solutions of collaborations between the two the future.’ departments, a new Department of As the Department Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology of Chemical comes into effect on 1 August 2008. Engineering looks ‘By capitalising on the synergy forward to sharing skills between the departments,’ said Professor with, and learning from, Lynn Gladden, Head of the Department the Institute of of Chemical Engineering, who will lead Biotechnology, Professor the new Department, ‘Cambridge will be Gladden commented on the able to respond quickly to emerging recent awarding of The research areas that lie at the interface Queen’s Anniversary Prize to the between the disciplines and, crucially, can Institute of Biotechnology (see do so without reducing activities in the page 7): ‘We are thrilled that the traditional areas of chemical engineering work of the Institute has been publicly or biotechnology.’ recognised at the highest level in this way ‘The development is particularly and look forward to working ever more timely in view of pressing global closely together.’ Holographic concave mirror, challenges such as how healthcare, food, Not only will the merger provide new courtesy of Professor Chris Lowe energy and transport can service a opportunities in research and teaching, burgeoning population with dwindling but it is hoped that it will open up leading academic endeavour,’ said resources,’ said Professor Chris Lowe, avenues for commercial translation and Professor Ian White, Chair of the School Director of the Institute of Biotechnology. the formation of spin-off companies. of Technology. ‘By cementing partnerships that unite ‘This new initiative allows two already bioscience, biotechnology and chemical successful departments to move ahead For more information, please contact engineering, Cambridge will be well and build a new form of internationally Elisabeth Klaar ([email protected]).

REPRODUCED BY PERMISSION OF CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Digital Cambridge takes off Are you keen to make your research more widely visible or store and preserve your digital material? DSpace@Cambridge is ready to take your research,’ said Heather Lane, Librarian digital output. Jointly managed by and Acting Keeper of Collections at the Cambridge University Library and the Scott Polar Research Institute, ‘we rely on University Computing Service, the DSpace DSpace@Cambridge to provide facilities digital repository has been created to and support to make our digital holdings store, disseminate and preserve digital accessible to the widest possible content created by the University of audience.’ Professor Hugh Mellor, Cambridge academic community. Once Emeritus Professor of Philosophy in the deposited, most items are freely accessible Faculty of Philosophy, added: ’This to all, both within and beyond the excellent facility meets the University’s University. growing need to preserve electronically Since DSpace@Cambridge became a and make accessible material of strategic service to the University nearly permanent importance that would two years ago, a full service team has otherwise disappear.’ been recruited and a total of 555 GB of digital data has now been stored. The Use of the service for data repository includes everything from preservation and dissemination is scholarly articles to rock art images, free of charge to the employees and medieval and modern manuscripts to students of the University of lecture series, large datasets and Cambridge. For more information, collections. please visit www.dspace.cam.ac.uk Image from the Royal Commonwealth Society Photograph Project stored on DSpace@Cambridge ‘As digital material of all types or contact Elin Stangeland (Ski jump, Alfred Hugh Fisher, 1867–1945) becomes increasingly important for ([email protected]).

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International PROFESSOR JENNIFER CLACK award for evolution expert Professor Jennifer Clack’s research into one of the major events in the evolutionary history of life on Earth has been honoured by the National Skull of one of the earliest known animals, Acanthostega gunnari, which had four eight-toed legs Academy of Sciences. and a bony tail-fin like a fish; found in Greenland, 1987

Over two decades ago, Professor Jennifer period is one of the major evolutionary lower in the water, when being able to Clack and colleagues made a discovery in events since it triggered the radiation of breathe air became an advantage. Greenland that was to overturn ideas of all subsequent vertebrate life on land,’ As a result of these detailed our evolutionary history: a 370 million- explained Professor Clack, Curator of analyses, curators are now able to year-old tetrapod (an animal with four Vertebrate Palaeontology at the recognise similar fossils in museum legs, plus fingers and toes) whose University’s Department of Zoology. collections the world over. The result skeleton held the clues to ‘terrestriality’. Professor Clack’s discoveries, including is a worldwide re-evaluation of the This missing link and the research it the earliest foot adapted for walking, fossil record and a resurgence of interest generated caused a re-evaluation of initiated a revolution in perceptions of in the field. when, where, how, and in what order this key transition. Almost 150 years ago, when Charles changes occurred during the ‘Limbs appear to have first evolved in Darwin published his theories on the evolutionary transition from water to water and we now know that the first origin of species, the fossil record was land. It is these important contributions four-limbed creatures possessed multiple frustratingly incomplete, with few to science that have recently been fingers and toes rather than the examples of transitional stages in recognised through the awarding of the architypal five,’ said Professor Clack. ‘We evolution. Professor Clack’s research is Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal to Professor believe that these evolved to help propel helping to complete the story. Clack by the National Academy of them through weed-choked swamps.’ Sciences. Her climate studies suggest that the For more information, please contact ‘The transition from water- to land- transition to land came at a time of low Professor Jennifer Clack dwelling creatures in the Late Devonian oxygen in the atmosphere, and even ([email protected]).

devices for communicating and Morph: reshaping phones of the future interacting with each other in unprecedented ways,’ said Dr Tapani A joint nanotechnology partnership between the Ryhänen, Head of the NRC Cambridge UK University of Cambridge and Nokia has unveiled its Laboratory. ‘The research we are carrying concept for the future of mobile phones. out is fundamental to this as we seek a safe and controlled way to develop and Flexible, stretchable, foldable, self-cleaning Morph design showcases the use new materials.’ and solar-chargeable: this is the new revolutionary leaps being explored by A long-term programme of joint Morph design concept for the mobile Nokia Research Center (NRC) in research projects between Cambridge devices of tomorrow that was launched in collaboration with Cambridge Nanoscience Centre and Nokia began February at The Museum of Modern Art Nanoscience Centre, part of the following the announcement of their in New York City. Based on the latest Department of Engineering. partnership in March 2007. ‘Developing NOKIA RESEARCH CENTER nanotechnology and sensor research, the Nanoscale technologies lend the Morph concept with Nokia has themselves to the provided us with a focus that is artistically manufacture of incredibly inspirational but, more importantly, sets strong yet flexible the technology agenda for our joint materials with such a nanoscience research that will stimulate degree of elasticity that our future work together,’ said Professor devices can literally Mark Welland, Head of the Department change shape to adapt of Engineering’s Nanoscience Group. ‘We to the task at hand. hope that this combination of art and Nanostructured surfaces science will showcase the potential of repel water and dirt, and nanoscience to a wider audience,’ added in-built nanosensors have the Dr Ryhänen. potential to allow users to examine the environment around For more information, please contact them in completely new ways. Cambridge Nanoscience Centre ‘All of these innovative capabilities (www.nanoscience.cam.ac.uk) or mean a world of radically different Nokia (www.nokia.com/A4126506).

4 | Issue 6 | Summer 2008 RESEARCH NEWS © The Xen of start-ups CITRIX Acquired for $500 million last year, a start-up that grew from research in the Computer Laboratory has just seen its first products being launched under the Citrix brand name.

A vision of how computers around the world could be used more efficiently through ‘virtualisation’ set a group of researchers in the Computer Laboratory on the trail of how best to deliver this technology. ‘Our aim was to build a global commercial grid that would suit the dynamic and secure requirements of its users,’ explained Dr Ian Pratt, who led the team. A decade later, the start-up company this yielded, XenSource, was acquired by Citrix for $500 million and, a few weeks ago, the first Xen-based Citrix products were released. The researchers’ original ideas and scale of delivery for virtualisation were ambitious. ‘Back then it was considered too radical to be funded,’ said team-member Dr Steve Hand. The essential kick-start came when PhD student Keir Fraser decided to build the key component, a virtual machine monitor called a hypervisor. ‘This was crucial since it provided a new level of operation: it was an umbrella under which many different operating systems could work, allowing users to run their own operating system and applications within,’ said Dr Hand. ‘What we were doing was breaking the link between software and hardware in a safe and secure way,’ explained Dr Pratt. The turning point came in 2002 when funding was secured from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the team published a seminal paper that is still one of the most widely cited articles in the field. ‘Research at the Computer Laboratory has a tradition of But just as importantly, the researchers released the software building something new from the ground up. These strengths as open source under the GNU General Public License – anyone gave us the resilience and expertise we needed to accomplish in the world now had the opportunity to use it free of charge. this,’ said Dr Hand. Following the acquisition by Citrix, what’s This turned out to be integral to the success of Xen. ‘It allowed next for Xen? ‘Xen for laptops and desktops…We’d love to see an enormous and growing academic and business community to not only Xen on every server but Xen on every laptop and work with the software. As Xen evolved, it was fed partly by the every mobile phone!’ said Dr Pratt. community that was using it,’ said Dr Hand. With $6 million funding from Silicon Valley, Drs Pratt, Hand, Fraser and Christian For more information, please contact Citrix Limpach formed the start-up company XenSource, whose (www.citrix.com) or Dr Steve Hand acquisition by Citrix was finalised late last year. ([email protected]).

Exchanging ideas with China Two recently funded grants will build and strengthen research collaborations with Chinese academics.

Cambridge is benefiting from two recent Arts and in using digital media for studying architecture and cities. Humanities Research Council (AHRC) awards that share a The project will examine urban places and experiences by common goal: the creation of interdisciplinary research investigating the role of human narratives in the fabrication networks between China and the West. of the urban landscape – using the camera as a tool to ‘Translations and transformations: China, modernity and unravel how we experience the city around us. ‘Urban cultural transmission’, which launched in March in the Centre environments in Cambridge and China are very different and, for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities through a series of workshops, this will provide a fascinating (CRASSH), aims to examine literary and cultural exchange cross-fertilisation of ideas between researchers,’ said between China and the West. ‘Modernity is transforming the Dr François Penz, who leads the project. China of today. Two-way translation is crucial, not just in ‘Projects such as these foster international links and build commerce and business but also in culture – in art, film and research capacity for all concerned in a highly productive literature,’ said Professor Mary Jacobus, Director of CRASSH. way,’ said Professor Jacobus. ‘Chinese academics are as keen ‘This raises issues about how the arts can be translated and as we are to make connections and exchange ideas.’ transmitted between China and the West.’ ‘Narrascape: Urban environment as narrative system in For more information, please contact Professor Mary the UK and China’ launches in July in the Department of Jacobus ([email protected]) or Dr François Penz Architecture and builds on the strengths of its Digital Studio ([email protected]).

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Tsunami risk in the BETH SHAW AND PROFESSOR JAMES JACKSON Mediterranean Research reveals the cause of an ancient catastrophe that could threaten the Mediterranean again. On 21 July AD 365, an earthquake generated a tsunami that devastated the Nile delta, eastern Sicily and parts of the Adriatic as far north as modern Dubrovnik. In a recent article in Nature Simulation of the tsunami produced in the Geoscience, PhD student Beth Shaw Mediterranean by the AD 365 earthquake from the Bullard Labs, Department of Earth Sciences, who led a team that described by contemporary writers in the Professor James Jackson, Head of the included colleagues from the Universities 4th century. The tsunami’s height in the Bullard Labs. ‘A repeat of the tsunami in of Oxford and Nice and Imperial College open ocean would have been about the much more populated eastern London, tracked down the fault that 60 cm, comparable to the tsunami from Mediterranean of today would be a caused the earthquake. the 2004 Sumatra earthquake. The great catastrophe. This work highlights the ‘By carbon-dating corals we showed destruction from these waves comes need to educate coastal populations in that in AD 365 a fault within the plate from their amplification when they hit the Mediterranean so that they know boundary along the southern edge of shallow waters at the coast. what to expect and how to react when Crete uplifted the western part of the The researchers also demonstrated a big earthquake occurs.’ island by up to 10 m, leaving marks that how rapidly the fault near Crete is resembled a bath-ring around the accumulating strain energy today. ‘If the This work was supported by the UK’s coastline,’ said Beth Shaw. The fault that entire plate boundary between western Natural Environment Research uplifted Crete also uplifted the sea floor, Greece and Turkey behaves in the same Council (NERC) and was published in and it is this that generates a tsunami. way, we might expect a similar Nature Geoscience (2008) 1, 268–276. Calculations show that the tsunami earthquake and tsunami about every 800 For more information, please contact would have had the characteristics years, and the last was in AD 1303,’ said Beth Shaw ([email protected]).

Cleaning up contaminated land A recently launched project that unites academia with industry is addressing the need to decontaminate ‘brownfield’ sites for redevelopment. ©

ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ACHIM PRILL Dr Abir Al-Tabbaa, Reader in on remediation,’ explained Dr Al-Tabbaa. Geotechnical Engineering at the ‘The technology that we are working on Department of Engineering, provides the with Bachy Soletanche aims to achieve academic lead on a £1.24 million significant technical advances that will initiative that aims to develop a new reduce the cost and time involved in this technology for cleaning up the legacy of necessary process.’ industrial contamination left in soil: Over the course of three years, the heavy metals, petrol, tar, asbestos and project will develop an integrated other noxious waste. Remediation is advanced Soil Mix Technology by needed both to protect the wider designing and manufacturing novel environment and to meet ever-increasing equipment and employing suitable demands for housing and commercial materials that can simultaneously developments on brownfield sites. improve land quality and deal with Project SMiRT (Soil Mix Remediation pollutants. An important element of the Technology) is the largest project funded project will be to take this technology by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) forward through consultation meetings on contaminated land remediation with stakeholders and a dissemination technologies to date. Leading the programme. ‘This project is a unique industrial component of the project is opportunity to further develop soil geotechnical contractor Bachy Soletanche, mixing equipment in close parallel with with the additional involvement of materials technology,’ said Peter Barker engineering consultancies, trade of Bachy Soletanche. ‘The aim is to associations and materials suppliers. provide new, cost-effective solutions for ‘Making previously developed sites both the contaminated land and ground safe for new development is an improvement sectors.’ important but costly process, with government targets set at building 72% For more information, please contact of new housing on brownfield sites and Dr Abir Al-Tabbaa upwards of £400 million per year spent ([email protected]).

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Outstanding scholars awarded Cambridge Two early-career academics in the Faculty of Modern and Infectious Medieval Languages have been recognised by the Philip Disease Leverhulme Prize. PETER F. KNEWSTUBB A new initiative that aims to coordinate the University’s commitment to tackling the global challenge of infectious disease was launched in April.

Infectious diseases are a threat to health, economic prosperity, social stability and security worldwide. Many internationally recognised research groups spread widely across departments and disciplines at the University of Cambridge are working in this area. ‘A key objective of Cambridge Infectious Disease (CID) is to build Dr Emma Gilby Dr Rodrigo Cacho capacity in infectious disease research and teaching by attracting new research Dr Emma Gilby from the Department of Quevedo and writing a monograph on partnerships and funding,’ said Professor French and Dr Rodrigo Cacho from the the Spanish mock-epic. Duncan Maskell, Head of the Veterinary Department of Spanish and Portuguese Approximately 25 Philip Leverhulme School and Chair of the CID steering were honoured recently by The Prizes are awarded each year across five committee. ‘This initiative should enable Leverhulme Trust for their outstanding different topics, each prize providing and facilitate Cambridge researchers to research contributions: Dr Gilby for her £70,000 to enhance the prize-holder’s have a greater impact on global health meticulous scholarship of the 17th- research over a two-year period. and quality of life.’ century French literary-historical canon, Professor Richard Hunter, Chair of the As part of the community-building and Dr Cacho for his research on Spanish School of Arts and Humanities, is vision of CID, its website provides a Golden Age Literature. delighted for the two researchers: ‘The central reference point on infectious- During the tenure of their prizes, prize is appropriate recognition for two disease-related research at Cambridge, Dr Gilby will be working on 17th-century outstanding early-career academics and a as well as a searchable directory of theories of indifference and free will, with fitting testimony to the flourishing of researchers. To register and submit your particular reference to Descartes, and research on European literature and research profile, please visit Dr Cacho will be editing the works of culture in Cambridge.’ www.infectiousdisease.cam.ac.uk

current market capitalisation of BCA FILMS Institute of approximately £250 million. In 2005/6, 19% of the University’s new UK patents Biotechnology were filed by members of the Institute. The Institute’s research activities are wins Queen’s underpinned by an intensive Master’s of Bioscience Enterprise (MBE) course Anniversary Prize that combines science, technology and The Institute has been business training. It is this unique recognised for its combination of innovative multidisciplinary research, education initiative, innovation and and entrepreneurialism that has been originality. recognised by The Queen’s Anniversary Professors Ian White and Chris Lowe accept the prize from Her Majesty the Queen and Since the establishment of the Institute Prize for Higher and Further Education, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on in 1988, its ethos has been to provide a awarded at a ceremony at Buckingham behalf of the Institute of Biotechnology centre of excellence in biotechnology Palace in February. research and training within a ‘Entrepreneurially inclined business- how to ensure that entrepreneurial flourishing entrepreneurial environment. trained graduates rarely have sufficient scientists can be nurtured within a The Institute has an annual research fluency in science and technology to well-managed academic environment.’ income of £3.5 million and has recognise opportunities or to gauge the For more information, please visit generated no less than nine spin-out intrinsic value of emerging the Institute of Biotechnology companies – whose products range developments in high technology,’ said website (www.biot.cam.ac.uk). from glucose-sensing contact lenses for Professor Chris Lowe, Director of the Professor Lowe is an Enterprise diabetics to hand-held devices for Institute. ‘The Institute of Champion for Cambridge Enterprise detecting food pathogens – with a Biotechnology is a global exemplar of Ltd.

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China

The Horizon Seminar A TRADITION OF SCIENCE AND INNOVATION (5 JUNE) ‘China’ takes place on Scientific innovation in China provided Professor Christopher Cullen 5 and 6 June 2008 at the world with inventions such as Needham Research Institute Buckingham House, printing and papermaking. We will Jim Platts New Hall, Cambridge. explore some of this rich history and Institute for Manufacturing discover how traditional Chinese Dr Tai-Ping Fan Dept of Pharmacology The latest Horizon spotlight falls on materials and medicines are being Professor Peter Williamson China, as we showcase the diversity and re-examined for their modern Judge Business School richness of China-related research and applications. expertise at the University of Cambridge. This conference will highlight themes of CHINA’S GLOBAL INFLUENCE (5 JUNE) culture, religion, education, literature Globalisation is not a new concept Professor Hans van de Ven and language alongside business, to the Chinese. In this session we Dept of East Asian Studies technology, economy and the will hear about the country’s long Dr Sally Church environment. In bringing together diplomatic tradition and its Dept of East Asian Studies academic and business leaders to share experience of globalisation. We ask: Dr Andreas Kontoleon their knowledge and experience, this how is China responding to the new Dept of Land Economy event will be a unique opportunity to challenges of the 21st century? Dr Jin Zhang discover China from a variety of Judge Business School perspectives. Join us to meet many individuals and organisations who are UNDERSTANDING CHINA (6 JUNE) keen to deepen their understanding of this complex and fascinating country. This session will address Chinese Professor Roel Sterckx society and identity through wealth Dept of East Asian Studies For more information about the and poverty, ageing, food and Dr Uradyn Bulag Horizon Seminar series and to book post-war cinematic culture. Speakers Mongolia and Inner Asia Studies Unit online, please go to will shed light on these areas through Dr Barak Kushner www.rsd.cam.ac.uk/events/horizon an exploration of historical and Dept of East Asian Studies or email [email protected] current perspectives. Dr Anna Boermel Dept of East Asian Studies Dr Pei-Yin Lin Dept of East Asian Studies

COLLABORATING WITH CHINA (6 JUNE) China continues to experience an Dr Paul Irwin Crookes unprecedented economic development Centre of International Studies in the 21st century. The speakers in this Dr Jag Srai session will explore how we can Institute for Manufacturing collaborate with China in science, Pingping Dou education, technology, innovation and Dept of Architecture policy, working together to find Chris Cotton solutions for global problems such as China–Britain Business Council the environment and sustainability.

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Jade: the ‘Stone of Heaven’

Treasured and venerated for ©The Fitzwilliam Museum thousands of years, jade holds a special place in the history and culture of the Chinese Empire.

Jade rhyton, 1787 (Oscar Raphael bequest); below, Jade disc, c. 3rd–1st century BC (Oscar Raphael bequest)

China is unique in the degree to which it that jade should not be wasted on This discovery is all the more has assimilated jade into its rituals, its common craftsmen – only the most compelling for its demonstration that religion and its art. Jade has been skilled practitioners, capable of objects may lose their original function regarded historically as possessing mystical amazing feats of beauty, should and meaning once they have lost their powers to ward off evil, and was be allowed to fashion works of original context. As the rest of the considered by many as a metaphor for art from the jade. A typical collection is catalogued, further longevity, wisdom and purity. It is perhaps example in the collection is a remarkable stories of jade in China no surprise that the Mandarin character horn-shaped drinking cup are sure to unfold. for jade, yu , symbolises the linking of known as a rhyton. Dr Lin’s heaven and earth. research has found an imperial For more information, please The Fitzwilliam Museum houses about document recording that it contact the author Dr James Lin 200 jades and other hardstones covering was presented to Qianlong for ([email protected]) at The almost the whole of Chinese history from approval in 1787 and that he Fitzwilliam Museum. the Neolithic to the 20th century. ordered a poem, still visible A small selection of jades Dr James Lin, Assistant Keeper of Applied today, to be incised around its from the Qing Imperial Art in the Museum, and affiliated to the inner edge. collection will be displayed in University’s Faculty of Asian and Middle The Fitzwilliam Museum’s Eastern Studies, has been researching the The lost poem Chinese gallery during May history of the collection. With funding As well as being used to and June 2008 in association from the British Academy, Dr Lin has create trinkets and gifts, jade with CHINA NOW – the UK’s travelled to different parts of China to was used in death for ritual largest ever festival of Chinese view excavations of ancient tombs and to objects buried in tombs. culture. An exhibition of discuss the Museum’s jade collection with Excavation of tombs from the Chinese jades will be held in the curators and scholars. The result will be a Han dynasty (BC 206–AD 220) Museum’s Octagon Gallery from full catalogue of the collection to be has uncovered superb jade suits late January–May 2009. The published in early 2009. used to encase the bodies of Museum is seeking corporate Imperial family members. One support for the exhibition and By Royal appointment such object held in the collection catalogue; please contact the Ownership of jade was a privilege of the – a jade disc used to cover the Development Officer, Sue Rhodes richest members of society, particularly the body of a high-ranking individual ([email protected]). Imperial family. The Museum collection – has yielded a fascinating history. includes several pieces that belonged to Dr Lin recently discovered a poem the Emperor Qianlong, who reigned AD incised along its rim. Because of the 1736–1795, and was the fourth Qing greyish-green, brown-speckled colouring Emperor to rule over the Manchu Empire. of the disc, and the tiny edge along which An art lover, collector and sponsor, his it was inscribed, the poem had long been love of jade inspired him to compose missed, perhaps for centuries. But rather thousands of poems about the stone. than the poem being an original After pacifying the rebels in Xinjiang inscription, research showed that this was province in 1758, the Qing court gained yet another example of Qianlong’s love of access to jade from Khotan. The jade was artistry in jade: he believed that this disc mined and carefully shipped to Beijing to was used as a ritual object to sacrifice to be carved in the Imperial workshop. the deities and added the poem in 1769, Qianlong often emphasised in his poems after it became part of his collection. Dr James Lin

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An active compound from Panax ginseng, ginsenoside Rg1 (purple), and the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone (grey) binding to the glucocorticoid receptor

Research led by the Department of Unlocking Pharmacology is discovering the drugs of Nature’s tomorrow from traditional Chinese medicine. biochemical secrets Almost every culture has its distinct TCM known today. Chinese doctors are ‘In these days of huge herbal traditions, each with its guided by holistic principles and often international indigenous plants and unique practices. prescribe a cocktail of materia medica But one premise unites them all – herbs (fufang) with the aim of promoting pharmaceutical have remarkable properties that make synergistic interactions among companies and them potentially powerful medicines. In constituents yet minimising their modern high-powered Britain, this rich history was given adverse/toxic effects. In fact, such a credence in 1511 by the Herbalists practice of polypharmacy has now methods of drug Charter of Henry the VIII, which stated become a popular approach for modern- development, it is that anyone ‘having knowledge and day drug formulations: some ‘All-in-One’ worth recalling how experience of the nature of herbs, roots products for the relief of cold symptoms, and waters’ was allowed to provide care. for example, contain a mixture of much we owe to In China, practitioners of traditional paracetamol (to treat headache, shivers compounds Chinese medicine (TCM) began to and pains), phenylephrine (blocked nose discovered in the compile formulations in compendia more and sinuses) and guaifenesin (chesty than 2000 years ago. Today, TCM is coughs). Establishing which are the natural world through enjoying a revival, thanks to several active ingredients and which are the folk medicine.’ international initiatives to validate the toxins, and determining how they work, Professor Peter McNaughton, power of TCM as a preventive medicine is key to the renaissance of TCM as a Head of the Department of and as a cure for chronic diseases. means of drug discovery. Pharmacology Fascinated by the ground-breaking work in the 1990s of dermatologists and Yin and Yang in ginseng TCM practitioners using Chinese herbs in Dr Fan’s research has focused on the the treatment of steroid-resistant time-honoured herb ginseng (Panax), eczema, Dr Tai-Ping Fan embarked on a a commonly used nutraceutical (a food quest to transform the art of TCM into a extract that has medicinal effects) and rigorous evidence-based science of one of the most important components healthcare and well-being. Ten years on, of TCM. Variously attributed with his team at the University’s Department benefits such as improving alertness, of Pharmacology is now working on an inducing well-being and reducing pain, interdisciplinary programme to discover ginseng has been shown in recent times new medicines from plants. to aid wound healing and treat tumours. But, perplexingly, the plant seems to The good and the evil of act both by promoting the growth of materia medica blood vessels (angiogenesis) in wounds An incredible 400,000 combinations of and by inhibiting it in tumours. How 10,000 plant and animal extracts plus can it accomplish such opposing minerals make up the formulations of activities?

10 | Issue 6 | Summer 2008 SPOTLIGHT ON CHINA NEEDHAM RESEARCH INSTITUTE, CAMBRIDGE (PHOTO: KEITH HEPPELL) PROFESSOR RICKY WONG, HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY Using pure molecules extracted from Pharmacology, Dr Fan aims to discover the plant, Dr Fan led an international herbal activities for the reversal of multi- team of researchers from Massachusetts drug resistance in cancer chemotherapy. Institute of Technology, Gaubius A further collaboration is studying other Laboratory in The Netherlands, Hong herbs commonly used in TCM for the Kong Baptist University and the prevention and treatment of University of Cambridge to study this cardiovascular conditions such as phenomenon. By determining ginseng’s hypertension and stroke (Salvia chemical fingerprint (the chemical miltiorrhiza, or danshen), and ‘signature’ of molecules that gynaecological disorders such as irregular distinguishes one compound from periods and endometriosis (Angelica another) and purifying its components, sinensis, or dong guai). This project the team has reconstructed what is brings together expertise from many happening to the blood vessels at both departments: Professor Steven Ley the cellular and molecular level. (Department of Chemistry), Dr Stephen Charnock-Jones (Department of Not all ginseng is the same Obstetrics and Gynaecology), Dr Bertie One of the principal findings of the study Göttgens (Department of Haematology), is that not all types of ginseng are the and Professor Kevin Brindle and same: the source is vitally important. Dr Richard Farndale (Department of A mass spectrometric compositional Biochemistry). analysis of American, Chinese, Korean Modernising Chinese medicine Preparing traditional Chinese medicine; and Sanqi ginseng revealed distinct illustration from Handbook of the Supplement fingerprints, especially in the ratio The multifactorial nature of chronic to Leigong’s Methods of Preparing Medicine between the two most prevalent diseases is one of the most significant (c.1590s) problems in drug discovery today. Orally constituents, the ‘sterol ginsenosides’ Rg1 active Chinese medicine fufang and Rb1. Crucially, if the ginseng has Rg1 as the dominant constituent it promotes represents a golden opportunity for drug discovery: each herb contains many angiogenesis, and if Rb1 is dominant it exerts an opposing effect. For the first active ingredients and is essentially an time, the ambiguity in the effects of enormously complex chemical cocktail ginseng on vascular pathophysiology had with medicinal properties that modern been explained by the specific make-up pharmaceuticals cannot yet reproduce. of each variety. Internationally, drug discovery researchers Working with Professor Ricky Wong are increasingly turning to TCM. One of the most ambitious of these projects was at Hong Kong Baptist University, Dr Fan announced only recently: the ‘Herbalome has taken his research a step further. Project’ at the Dalian Institute of Homing in on the molecular interactions Chemical Physics in China is embarking happening inside the blood vessel cells, on a 15-year study using high- the research has confirmed precisely how throughput screening, toxicity tests and ginseng works. Rg binds to a steroid 1 clinical trials to identify the medicinal receptor (glucocorticoid receptor), which constituents of herbal preparations. then stimulates blood vessel growth by In Britain, Dr Fan has assembled a upregulating a growth factor; by consortium of experts from the University contrast, Rb1 binds another type of of Cambridge, the Needham Research steroid receptor (oestrogen receptor), Institute in Cambridge, the Royal Botanic which then inhibits blood vessel growth Gardens at Kew, Brunel University, through a different pathway. Bradford University, the London School These discoveries highlight the of Pharmacy, and Guy’s & St Thomas’ potential benefits of the components of NHS Foundation Trust. In collaboration ginseng for drug development. They also with Chinese government agencies, raise important implications for TCM and academic institutions and enterprise, the regulations that standardise herbal consortium aim to illuminate the science therapy: incorrect identification and underpinning TCM theories and practice, misuse of herbal species can result in and deliver solutions for new avenues of severe consequences and extreme care healthcare. must be taken that the right herbs are Cambridge is well placed to become prescribed for the right condition. an international centre for the systematic investigation and modernisation of Herbs for health Chinese medicine in the future. The These new aspects of angiogenesis drawing together of expertise and research are providing important clues resources across the University and for the development of novel drugs to neighbouring institutions, and the Dr Tai-Ping Fan treat diseases in which angiogenesis formation of joint ventures with plays a role, including rheumatoid pharmaceutical and biotech companies, For more information, please contact arthritis, heart disease, psoriasis, chronic will ensure the power of modern science the author Dr Tai-Ping Fan wounds and cancer. Working closely with continues to unlock Nature’s biochemical ([email protected]) at the Dr Rik van Veen in the Department of secrets. Department of Pharmacology.

Issue 6 | Summer 2008 | 11 SPOTLIGHT ON CHINA

Tracing the history of modern globalisation in China

A Sino-British project is examining the history of China’s first age of modern globalisation, enabling China and Britain to rediscover their interconnected past.

Walking through the streets of Shanghai Maritime Customs Service. In its almost and promotes the understanding of today, you see a city full of dynamism, century-long history between 1853 and Chinese culture and society overseas. This enterprise and quirky creativity, a ‘must 1950, the Customs Service kept records allowed the cataloguing of all 55,000 files visit’ place that draws talents from across detailing how the key globalising in the archives; an effort that took a team China and the rest of the world. Yet, in commodities of the time – opium, sugar, of four Chinese archivists four years to the mid-1980s you would have been kerosene, tobacco and arms – spread conclude. Professor van de Ven and his struck by the fact that the former ‘Paris of through China and were taken up collaborator, Professor Robert Bickers of the East’ seemed a gothic ruin, a differently in its regions. This little-studied the University of Bristol, simultaneously melancholy reminder of a past that China institution was at the heart of China’s compiled databases from Customs data had turned against after the 1949 victory encounter with globalisation in the years on China’s international trade, wages of the Chinese Communist Party. China’s between the Taiping Rebellion of the and arms trade. In 2003, an Arts and recent rapid take-off into globalisation, 1850s and the Communist assumption of Humanities Research Council (AHRC) only a few short years after Deng power. The ‘in-between’ nature of the Major Research Grant allowed the Xiaoping, Mao Zedong’s successor, Customs, at the interface between China employment of a research assistant instituted the policy of ‘reform and open and the rest of the world, has provided a and the recruitment of two PhD up’, shows that China was never entirely remarkable opportunity to examine how students. The project is now in full a closed country. History shows that wave globalisation played out in the century swing, with a website in operation after wave of foreign goods, people and before China was closed off from the rest (www.bristol.ac.uk/history/customs), ideas have rolled into China, been of the world in the 1950s. monographs being produced, guides to absorbed, and in turn have transformed the archives being completed, databases its economy, patterns of consumption, Seeded by a serendipitous in the final stages of verification, and lifestyles, imaginative life, architecture and encounter 350 reels of microfilms now published to spatial organisation. enable researchers worldwide to make In the late 1990s, while Professor van de Professor Hans van de Ven, Chair use of the archives. Ven was studying documents at the of the University’s Faculty of Asian Second Historical Archives of China in and Middle Eastern Studies, has Nanjing, a chance conversation with Vice- A unique institution in been researching a key Director Ma Zhendu led to him hearing Sino-British history resource in tracing the about the recent acquisition of 55,000 The Customs was founded in Shanghai at history of modern files from the Customs that had just the time when the Taiping Rebellion globalisation in arrived by train from various parts of against the authority of the Qing China: the China. Out of this has grown a fruitful government raged inland, and a local Chinese collaborative project involving historians in uprising drove Qing Dynasty officials out China and Britain that continues today. of the city in 1853. Bound by treaty

CHINESE MARITIME CUSTOMS PROJECT Initial funding for the project came obligations to ensure that foreign from the Chiang Ching-kuo merchants fulfilled their tax obligations, Foundation, an organisation for the British, French and US consuls stepped international scholarly in. They established a foreign board for exchange that supports the local Customs Stations to enforce

Flag flown by Customs Cruisers, Boats, Lightships, Lighthouses and ‘all other kinds of Customs property where the use of a flag is befitting’ 1873–1889

12 | Issue 6 | Summer 2008 SPOTLIGHT ON CHINA JOHN SWIRE & SONS LTD AND SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL AND AFRICAN STUDIES (UNIVERSITY OF LONDON)

Huangpu River, Shanghai, from a China Navigation Company steamship, 1906–7; G W Swire: Swire collection, SOAS (sw12-086) trade tariffs. Although intended as a foreigners performed within the continue to enrich Kew Gardens and temporary measure, out of this small institution. During the Boxer Rebellion of helped make China’s flora popular in beginning grew a huge organisation 1900, Sir Robert Hart, the Head at the Britain. Many foreign Customs officials whose influence rippled out across China time, secured the food supply to the city learned Chinese, wrote on Chinese history and to the rest of the world. and effectively knocked foreign and and translated Chinese books, some of The Customs managed nearly 60 Chinese heads together to end the which are still read today. As Chinese harbours along China’s coast and rivers; fighting and restore central Studies became established as an collected about a third of the entire administration, thus helping to prevent academic discipline, universities around national revenue; established China’s the country’s dismemberment. the world recruited Customs scholars: national postal service; financed China’s (Unfortunately, he also negotiated an indeed, the founder of the Chinese legations abroad; assembled its indemnity that crippled China financially Maritime Customs Service, Sir Thomas contributions to international fairs and for many years.) Wade, was the first Professor of Chinese exhibitions; funded a Quarantine Service The Customs was a pillar of foreign at Cambridge. By tapping into the vast to protect China from pandemics; formed privilege in China, but China’s rulers also resources of the Chinese Maritime China’s coastguard and railroad police; used ‘foreigners to control foreigners’, Customs Service, this research project is and supported scholarly enterprises such establishing Customs Stations with foreign casting a fascinating historical perspective as the translation of Western textbooks Commissioners along China’s borders as on the history of globalisation in China. on political economy and international bulwarks against foreign encroachment. law. Because of this role, Custom Houses Unique in many ways, the Customs appeared in some rather odd places, was the only integrated national including along the mountainous border bureaucracy that continued to function with Burma and the arid deserts of through the many civil wars and foreign Xinjiang, as well as between Chinese and invasions that preceded the establishment Japanese frontlines deep in inland China of the People’s Republic of China. during the 1937–1945 War of Resistance Although the Customs was always a against Japan. Chinese organisation, foreigners dominated its upper echelons in rough More than a collector of taxes proportion to a country’s significance in The Customs was always much more than their trade with China. As Britain was the just a tax collection agency. It was well dominant trade partner, the Head of the informed about local conditions, deeply Professor Customs was British until the final few involved in local, provincial and national Hans van de Ven years of the institution, when it was led politics, and also in international affairs. by an American. A cosmopolitan mix of To some extent, its influence is still felt For more information, please contact French, British, Russian, German and today. China’s Custom Houses and the author Professor Hans van de Ven Japanese staff worked together in the lighthouses often occupy the same place ([email protected]) at the Department Customs, even as their countries went to as those before 1949, sometimes still of East Asian Studies, or see the war elsewhere or their armies invaded operating from the same buildings. Hosea project website (www.bristol.ac.uk/ China. Ballou Morse, one of the Chinese history/customs), which was created Researching the files has yielded Customs Commissioners, and his wife by Professor Robert Bickers and hosts details of the complex roles that the were avid botanists whose samples research tools and publications.

Issue 6 | Summer 2008 | 13 SPOTLIGHT ON CHINA ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ROBERT CHURCHILL ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ROBERT

Globalisation today:

Chinese big Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower is a landmark of the Pudong New District, an area widely recognised as China’s link business between domestic and international markets This year is the 30th anniversary of China’s policy of ‘reform and open up’. What has happened to China’s strategic industries and how competitive are Chinese big businesses today?

China began liberalising the post-Mao chain. The result is that leading firms market mechanisms, China is economy in the late 1970s, when the in almost every industrial sector have consolidating firms in the strategic world was embarking on a course of become ‘conductors of an orchestra’, industries. Instead of breaking the globalisation, forming close international bringing together their supply chain to country’s ‘big four’ state-owned banks trade and business links. Since the country compete as a system in the world market. into smaller entities, each of these four began to integrate with the world’s By contrast, in the same period, banks has restructured into share-holding economic and business systems, a China’s large firms have undergone companies and has successfully listed on consistently stated goal of China’s more of an evolutionary process of international markets in the past five industrial policy has been to construct restructuring, responding to the years. internationally competitive companies. challenges of the global business China is also in the process of Dr Jin Zhang at Judge Business revolution. They have made progress in consolidating its aerospace industry, led School has been closely studying the improving operational mechanisms and by the project of producing a ‘big transformation of China’s strategic corporate governance systems and have commercial jet’ in the next 20 years. industries – aerospace, oil, gained substantial understanding of These developments have been closely telecommunications equipment and, international financial markets through watched by leading global firms. The most recently, banking – in the epoch public listing. They have become sought- intertwining of changes in China’s internal of globalisation. Through extensive field after joint venture partners for global business system with the revolution in work and in-depth case studies, her leading firms. However, they have also large global firms has always been a research explains China’s attempt in a encountered a wide array of problems protracted and complicated process. It is far from over. Interesting times lie ahead rapidly changing international business and difficulties associated with the in the study of the development of environment to build its own transition of the vast economy. China’s large firms in strategic industries internationally competitive firms, many of With forces of globalisation and as the country explores its way between which are state owned and still central to transition also at play, the attempt to state and market: the future is truly China’s economic and political system. construct competitive large firms in China dynamic. has been all the more challenging. Revolution versus evolution Indeed, when China joined the World In the past three decades, the world’s Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, leading firms have undergone a China’s large firms in strategic industries revolutionary transformation, often lagged behind the world’s leading firms in described as the ‘global business each of the sectors. revolution’. In order to survive and prosper, the nature of large firms based in The future is dynamic high-income countries has had to alter The first phase of China’s attempt to greatly. Business and organisational develop large competitive firms in structures have been fundamentally strategic industries was about introducing changed through mergers and market forces. Now, China has entered acquisitions, facilitated by advances in the second phase of industrial Dr Jin Zhang information technology. In almost every restructuring. It is learning lessons from sector, a small number of focused global the global business revolution and is For more information, please contact producers have occupied the majority of trying to construct effective industrial the author Dr Jin Zhang the global market share, and this process policy in the post-WTO era. Through a ([email protected]) at Judge Business has been cascading down their supply combination of state industrial policy and School.

14 | Issue 6 | Summer 2008 SPOTLIGHT ON CHINA DR BARAK KUSHNER

’Noodle-ology’: the politics of cuisine

Inside a contemporary ramen shop in the south of Japan Food history breaks down our understanding of national borders: Barak Kushner is examining how interactions between China and Japan have shaped modern Japanese cuisine.

Often regarded as the emperor of modern began to change in response to cultural Political revolutions are menu cuisine in Japan, ramen (a savoury noodle and political drivers, ultimately re-shaping revolutions soup that takes half a day to prepare) national identity through food culture. Believing ramen to be a timeless accounts for approximately 26% of all At this time, labour unions were growing Japanese dish is similar to the meals eaten outside the home in Japan. in strength and were attempting to misconception that fish and chips is a Ramen restaurants dominate the urban secure better wages and a reasonable long-time traditional British meal. In both and rural landscape. There are ramen workday; caloric and inexpensive dining cases, the dishes actually evolved from museums, as well as ramen-dedicated had become a necessary ingredient for early 20th-century social and political comic books, rock songs, TV contests, urban expansion. changes that deeply altered the magazines, websites and even a scholarly After much iteration, ramen entered landscape of their respective national journal. the Japanese market as a cheap meal cuisines and, until recently, were not Instant ramen, invented in 1958 as for itinerant peddlers, wage labourers distinctive features of either culture. an antidote to post-war malnutrition, is and poor students. Chinese students Dr Kushner’s research suggests that, even more popular and has made ramen living in Japan were one of the largest contrary to that popular saying, we are an international food. Currently, the foreign groups, greatly influencing probably not what we eat. world consumes over 65.2 billion lower- and middle-class restaurant packages of instant ramen a year, with offerings in urban areas. After the over 200 different varieties to enjoy. Sino-Japanese War in 1895, they came But ramen is not a true Japanese in increasing numbers to study how national dish as many would believe. Japan modernised so quickly. Students To understand ramen’s cultural and as well as labourers flocked to the new economic influence in the international communities and their growing scene, Dr Barak Kushner, from the economic surge created new food Department of East Asian Studies, is demands. charting the history and shifts in food This symphony of new tastes, culture across East Asia. The real story combined with the need to eat out, and is the cultural development, the travels, influenced by Japan’s expanding empire, the people and the events that spurred the opening of new restaurants formed how the Chinese and Japanese that offered a cuisine not formerly found ate. in Japan. For example, in 1911, the Dr Barak Kushner owner of the Takeya Cafeteria in Noodle soup: a force of history Sapporo, in the extreme north, hired a For more information, please contact Dr Kushner’s analysis of Chinese and Chinese cook who created a stew-like the author Dr Barak Kushner Japanese menus, Imperial diaries, dish with meat, broth and springy ([email protected]; travelogues, government archives, noodles, calling it ‘Shina soba’, or www.barakkushner.net) at the military reports, science magazines and Chinese noodles. Department of East Asian Studies, or ancient food treatises suggests that Other restaurants around the country see his forthcoming book The Noodle what we insist belongs to ‘Chinese began to offer similar fare but it was not that Changed the World (Hurst cuisine’ or ‘Japanese food culture’ is until the post-war era that the dish Publishers). The author thanks the flawed. became known in Japanese as ramen. Freeman Foundation in the USA and Historically, the Japanese ate little Much later with the export of instant the Japan Foundation Endowment meat, little oil and very little spice, but in ramen the dish took on its new Committee in Britain for their the early 20th century the national cuisine nationality. support.

Issue 6 | Summer 2008 | 15 SPOTLIGHT ON CHINA PROFESSOR CHRISTOPHER CULLEN

Making sense of the cosmos in ancient China

China’s rich history of scientific and technical contributions to human culture stretches back to antiquity, as Christopher Cullen has been

discovering when it Bamboo strips of the Suan shu shu comes to numbers. ‘Writings on Reckoning’ The idea that the material world can be ‘thought the principles [of mathematics] understood through numbers, patterns were the principles of all things’ and mathematical laws was one of the (Metaphysics, Book 1). The research most fruitful departures in the intellectual interests of Professor Christopher Cullen, history of mankind. But when and how of the Needham Research Institute in did that departure take place? For some, Cambridge and the Faculty of Asian and the answer goes back to the ancient Middle Eastern Studies, look in a different Greeks – and amongst the Greeks direction – to ancient China – to discover themselves, Aristotle looked back to the other evidence of humanity’s early efforts disciples of Pythagoras who, he says, to make quantitative sense of the cosmos.

16 | Issue 6 | Summer 2008 SPOTLIGHT ON CHINA

Preserving harmony and order producing charcoal and for seven full that emerges from this enquiry is that The Chinese Empire began with the days carting it. Just as there was to be the first historically identifiable unification of a collection of culturally order and predictability in the heavens, teacher–pupil pair in this area was related but often quarrelsome states on so it was to be on Earth. female. The teacher was the great the East Asian mainland by the First scholar Ban Zhao (c. AD 45–114) and the Emperor of the short-lived Qin dynasty Celestial software pupil was the Empress Deng (AD (BC 221–207), whose rule was Detailed contemporary accounts of the 80–121), who as a girl was so obsessed succeeded by the four centuries of the predictive systems constructed by early with books, to the exclusion of all Han dynasty (BC 206–AD 220). Numbers Chinese astronomers – in effect, ancient interest in ‘women's work’, that her mattered vitally to the new centralised computing programs – are preserved in exasperated mother once exclaimed ‘Are state’s view of what was needed for historical sources. These include the Han you going in for a doctorate?’ order to be maintained, both in relation astronomical system (Han li ) It is around the time that the Empress to the universe and in everyday life. officially adopted in AD 85, whose took her supervisions from Ban Zhao that When it came to relations between procedures Professor Cullen has some scholars date the compilation of the human world and the impersonal translated into modern-day Excel the first systematic Chinese book on powers that underpinned the regularities spreadsheets. At the tap of a key, these mathematics extant today, the Jiu zhang of the cosmos, the lead human actor astronomical systems, made nearly 2000 suan shu ‘Mathematical was the Emperor himself, who years ago, will calculate all the solar Methods in Nine Sections’. The compiler performed annual rituals to ensure that lunar and planetary data for any given of this book is unknown. Could it have the harmony of the cosmos was year since. been a teaching aid designed by Ban preserved. To ensure he did the right Impressive as this is, the records of Zhao for her Imperial pupil? The thing at exactly the right time, a the Chinese astronomers go further than speculation is an intriguing one. permanent staff of sky-watchers and simple predictions. Often these historical There is certainly much more to be calculators, equipped with the best accounts also furnish the evidence and settled about the place of numbers in instruments available, were tasked by the reasoning that led to the adoption of ancient Chinese thought and practice. Imperial Chinese government to set up new (and hopefully improved) systems The answers should help us to systems to predict all predictable celestial from time to time. They provide understand an important part of the events – from new moons, solstices and fascinating evidence of such intellectual history of the whole of equinoxes, to the motions of the planets. fundamental innovations as the adoption humankind. But it was not only at the top of the of the ecliptic (the path that the Sun Chinese state that numbers were traces out in the sky) as a reference supremely important. Much of the life of system and the discovery of the varying an ordinary official consisted of apparent speeds of the Sun and the quantitative management of physical Moon. Remarkably, these full Chinese resources such as grain, labour and time. records begin at an earlier stage of All of these required the use of astronomical sophistication than found calculation techniques that were often anywhere else in the world. considerably more than simple addition and subtraction. Our understanding of A ‘Theory of Everything’ the importance of these techniques in The first Chinese astronomical system for official life has been immensely which full documentation has been deepened by the discovery of a collection found is the San tong li ‘Triple of material written on 190 bamboo strips Concordance System’, which was in the tomb of a provincial official who elaborated by the scholar and statesman died in BC 186. This collection bears the Liu Xin around AD 10. As well as label Suan shu shu ‘Writings on specifying his ‘computing program’, Liu Reckoning’ and is the oldest known Xin wrote a lengthy treatise explaining Chinese text on mathematics. the rationale behind it. His celestial Professor Cullen’s translation of this predictions were derived from numbers collection has shown that its 7000 that were (in his view) basic to the characters explain mathematical cosmic order. The ambition was clear: a techniques ranging from elementary Grand Universal Theory of Everything. In fractions through to methods for solving fact, Liu Xin’s predictions are strikingly problems that would nowadays be accurate. His theoretical value for the formulated as linear algebraic equations. mean length of a lunar month was One obsession of the ancient official 29.5309 days, not far from the modern mind that pervades this collection is the value of 29.5306 days; the error need to control every activity in the amounts to no more than one hour in minutest detail. A fascinating example 139 months. At the other end of the describes the most mathematically world, the Pythagoreans would certainly efficient use of time for a man working have agreed that Liu Xin was on to Professor in the forest making charcoal. In one day something! Christopher Cullen he produces seven bushels of charcoal, but if the next day he carts it all to the The place of numbers Charcoal Office it would only take him Professor Cullen has recently been For more information, please contact 7/10 of a day’s work, leaving him with looking into the broader question of the author Professor Christopher 3/10 of a day free – clearly an intolerable who studied methods of calculation in Cullen ([email protected]) at the situation. The calculations recommend early Imperial China – who taught Needham Research Institute that he should work for 10 full days whom, and why? One fascinating point (www.nri.org.uk).

Issue 6 | Summer 2008 | 17 PREVIEW

When a woman becomes a religious dynasty

A rare Tibetan manuscript – I first heard tales of the remarkable unexpectedly human – and one that had a treasure that had princess Chokyi Dronma – famed for her become the basis for innumerable other daring exploits, cultural and social stories, genealogical accounts, myths and remained hidden for innovation, and unusual powers – during rituals. centuries – set in motion long evenings spent in the Tibetan Tantalisingly, the manuscript was a journey by Hildegard monastery of Samding over a decade incomplete – the final pages were ago. The monks told me how she had missing. It was in attempting to Diemberger that was to miraculously founded the monastery in reconstruct details of Chokyi Dronma’s bring alive the still- the 15th century and how her spiritual life, her mysterious and untimely death unfolding story of a leaders had revealed that she was the at the age of 33 in a remote and holy human embodiment of a deity they gave area of south-eastern Tibet, and her 15th-century Tibetan the title Dorje Phagmo. They showed me disciples’ search for her reincarnation princess. her image among the mural paintings that was to lead me not only across Tibet that decorated the newly reconstructed but also amazingly close to home: to a monastery and explained how, after her treasure-trove of rare Tibetan manuscripts death, her disciples recognised a young in the University Library in Cambridge girl as her reincarnation, so commencing and the British Library in London. a lineage of female incarnations that is recognised today. Two years later, in New York, the The tale unfolds legendary scholar of Tibetan studies With funding from the Arts and Gene Smith showed me a copy of the Humanities Research Council (AHRC), biography of the same princess recorded and under the guidance of Professor by her disciples in the wake of her death. Caroline Humphrey in the Mongolia and It was an astonishing discovery: Leonard Inner Asia Studies Unit (MIASU) of the van der Kuijp, Professor of Tibetan and Department of Social Anthropology, my Himalayan Studies at Harvard, had been adventure began by travelling the able to reproduce this rare Tibetan text Tibetan landscapes with the text in hand, from an archive in Beijing. Coming across looking for her ‘places’ and her relics, the story of the life of this extraordinary including her long-lost skull. I found the woman was like finding a treasure that ruins of the palace where she was born had remained hidden for centuries. It and the palace where she lived as a was a fascinating narrative – vibrant and married woman, met the monks who

18 | Issue 6 | Summer 2008 PREVIEW

BRUCE HUETT (PHOTO EDITING: ROY BARLOW) Legacy of a princess The research has uncovered more than a In my research I discovered that Chokyi history; it has shown the importance of Dronma’s relics, stories and images still reincarnation in Tibetan society and have a great significance for the Tibetans, religion, the role of biographies in who are currently reviving her tradition, establishing a lineage, the necessity for assembling all that has survived the religious teachers to navigate complex ravages of the Cultural Revolution. I networks of political and financial encountered her legacy among begging patronage, the cultural and social innovation linked to the revival of ancient nuns who have managed to restore their Buddhist civilisations, and the role of nunnery, among the monks who looked women in Buddhism. And the story for her images to re-paint the walls of continues to unfold. We might speculate their monastery, and among lay and as to why the final pages of the monastic communities who have been manuscript were missing: were they trying to reassemble the texts and restore unintentionally lost at some point over the the sacred dances of her tradition. I saw centuries or were they deliberately her in the excited eyes of monks and removed, perhaps to conceal awkward nuns, but also nomads and farmers, details of her death? One day the closing holding in their hands copies of her chapter may yet be known of the woman biography, which has now been returned who became a religious dynasty. to Tibet to be made available for the people and the monasteries that currently For more information, please contact embody the Dorje Phagmo’s tradition. the author Dr Hildegard Diemberger I discovered that the incarnations of ([email protected]) at the Mongolia Dorje Phagmo have played important roles and Inner Asia Studies Unit, over the centuries for the religious and Department of Social Anthropology. political leaders of their time: the When a Woman Becomes a Religious Karmapa, the Dalai Lama and currently the Dynasty: The Samding Dorje Phagmo Chinese administration. Several times I met of Tibet is published by Columbia the current Dorje Phagmo, now 70 years University Press. old; as one of the leading religious figures, she plays an important political, if largely Recent mural paintings at Samding symbolic, role in the new administration. monastery, Tibet, showing the lineage of the When the Chinese authorities allowed the Dorje Phagmo incarnations revival of religion in Tibet after the Cultural Revolution, she was able to use her influence to help in the revival of now live in the monastery where she Buddhism and the reconstruction of the was ordained, stared in amazement at monastic system. the iron-chain bridges and temples built by her masters with her support, Pieces of the puzzle searched for the traces of the water channels she built in the arid plains of Although my research was built around Porong and visited an early Tibetan the translation of Chokyi Dronma’s printing house that was indirectly part biography, missing pieces of the puzzle of her legacy in Gungthang. have also come to light from documents Dr Hildegard The manuscript led me into the life collected by the Younghusband Diemberger of Chokyi Dronma, the rebellious and Expedition, which passed in the vicinity of holy daughter of the King of Samding on its way to Lhasa in 1904. The Gungthang in south-western Tibet. equivalent of over 200 mule-loads of Born in 1422, she was a clever and documents was transported to England, ‘From time to time precocious child, said to be able to originally to Cambridge University Library anthropologists unearth and the British Museum among others. read and write by the age of three. surprises that would rank on At 16 years of age, the princess was Investigating these documents has been married out of the kingdom to cement an AHRC-funded research project in its anyone’s register as a strategic relationship between allies. own right led by Dr Stephen Hugh-Jones ‘discovery’. At the centre of But four years later, suffering the at MIASU: the Tibetan–Mongolian Rare this fascinating account is just tragedy of the death of her infant Books and Manuscripts project. These daughter, she renounced her royal life hitherto unresearched documents held such a discovery ... to become a Buddhist nun and a histories that have helped complete details Dr Diemberger has made her mystic. She not only persuaded one of of Chokyi Dronma’s life and times, and have brought to light some of the early own translation of the the highest spiritual teachers of her era biography the centre of this to give her full monastic ordination Tibetan prints produced in her homeland. (which is often believed to be book, and it is absorbing unattainable by a woman), but also A living tradition reading. She brings it alive established orders for other women Through this research project I sought to through the directness of her practitioners and became so revered bring alive the image of this ancient that she was officially recognised as princess and enrich the meaning that she language.’ one of two principal spiritual heirs to has for the living tradition in Tibet, but Professor Marilyn Strathern, her main master. also for wider audiences across cultures. Department of Social Anthropology

Issue 6 | Summer 2008 | 19 FEATURE

Living with uncertainty

Assessing the chance We all have to live with not knowing what Charitable Foundation. Appropriately, since of something is going to happen (what will the climate the theory of probability is the scientific be like in 2050, when will I die, will the language of uncertainty, the programme is happening stock market crash?), what is happening based in the Statistical Laboratory in the or not happening (what is the current number of Centre for Mathematical Sciences (CMS). confronts us all the unemployed, do I have a tumour?), and time. A new what has happened (how many people Understanding uncertainty did Harold Shipman murder, what caused Uniquely, the Winton Programme is trying programme led by my child’s illness?). We learn to deal with to service multiple audiences. The David Spiegelhalter, this pervasive uncertainty, but potential intention is to engage the public by the Winton Professor threats to our well-being understandably introducing issues through stories, make us uncomfortable, particularly when attractive graphics and entertaining of the Public the risks seem poorly understood or are animations, but then providing optional Understanding of imposed by others. In all this anxiety and additional levels of mathematical analysis, Risk, is helping even dread, the ability to carefully analyse ranging from arithmetic, through basic risks in a formal way can be overlooked. algebra and probability theory, to full improve people’s Different people react to risks in technical explanations. Key to understanding of the different ways; it isn’t enough to lecture accomplishing this is the website mathematics of risk. people on probability and statistics and www.understandinguncertainty.org, expect them to suddenly become launched this May, which is intended to be ‘rational’. An important consideration for not only interactive, authoritative and fun, statisticians must therefore be to develop but also an international resource for all an understanding of the social basis for aspects of the quantitative handling of attitudes to risk and uncertainty, and to uncertainty. The team behind the website maintain a two-way communication with includes web designers and animators the general public, students, scientists, Mike Pearson and Owen Smith, and social media and policy-makers. This is the scientists Hauke Riesch and Arciris premise for a new programme at the Garay-Arevalo. University of Cambridge that will seek to help individuals, institutions and Working with the media government to understand the possible The media clearly play a vital role in the consequences of their decisions in risky perception of risk and how different risks situations. The Winton Programme for the might affect us in our everyday lives. In the Public Understanding of Risk is funded by past six months alone, we’ve been a £3.3 million donation from The Winton confronted with stories in newspapers or

20 | Issue 6 | Summer 2008 FEATURE PROFESSOR DAVID SPIEGELHALTER DR JON HERAS, EQUINOX GRAPHICS (WWW.E-NOX.NET) Communicating risk

One part of the new initiative relates to the communication of risk. ‘I went to my GP recently and we put my blood pressure, cholesterol, etc, into a risk equation and out popped the assessment that I had a 10% chance of a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years,’ said Professor Spiegelhalter. ‘This was sobering news. We want to extend the usefulness of this kind of analysis to allow people to get to grips with the influence lifestyle may have on their future prospects.’ The team have created an animated graph relating lifestyle factors to current survival rates in the UK, using data collected by the Institute of Public Health in Cambridge through the EPIC-Norfolk study (www.srl.cam.ac.uk/epic). The study followed up 20,000 people in Norfolk to determine how different behaviours (smoking, drinking, diet and exercise) can affect survival. As an example, the survival prospects of a physically active, non-smoking 54-year-old who eats five fruit or vegetables a day and drinks only moderate amounts of alcohol are 12 years longer than someone of similar age who smokes, drinks over the recommended limits, does not exercise and has a poor diet. The risks are clear from the animated graphs. This simple animation allows people to ‘play’ with changing lifestyle in relation to age and is available on the programme website www.understandinguncertainty.org

on television about the risks of middle- class drinking, obesity, getting cancer from League tables and ‘rare’ bacon sandwiches, and so on. Many events stories suffer predictable but major distortions in the passage from scientific As an example of the type of resource study, through press release, to the programme website will host, the team have animated the entire history presentation in the media. An important of the UK’s National Lottery to factor in achieving the necessary link illustrate the fact that spurious ‘league between statistical analysis and the tables’ can be constructed from general public is therefore to establish a situations involving pure randomness, good working relationship with the media. and that rankings of schools, sports The team’s work has already been teams, hospitals, or even universities featured in a number of radio can also be heavily influenced by programmes and newspaper articles, not chance. only on issues such as crime statistics or Between February and November the obesity epidemic (BBC Radio 4), but 2000 there was an extraordinary also on more popular items such as the interval of 72 draws when ball potential benefits of New Year’s number 17 never appeared as a resolutions (The Sun newspaper). winning (non-bonus) number in the Professor National Lottery. At face value this is a David Spiegelhalter very rare event (with a chance of Putting a risky future in around 1/12,500). But, because over perspective 7000 balls have been drawn since the The Winton Programme comes at a start of the lottery, the statistics show time when public, institutional and For more information, please that this maximum gap is almost governmental awareness is highly contact the author Professor exactly what would be expected by receptive to issues of risk. Formal David Spiegelhalter chance alone. The animation provides quantitative approaches to risk and ([email protected]) a good demonstration that apparently very rare events are likely to happen uncertainty are of potentially great benefit at the Statistical Laboratory (or visit when given enough opportunities. both to individuals and to society, but it www.understandinguncertainty.org). Professor Spiegelhalter is also Senior ‘We’ve also animated results from cannot be assumed that we can simply Premier League football and shown Scientist in the MRC Biostatistics Unit put a number on our uncertainty and that half the spread of points is due in Cambridge, which develops thereby calculate the correct decision: to chance alone,’ said Professor statistical methods to advance it requires care and judgement to find Spiegelhalter. ‘This goes down well in the appropriate role for probabilistic understanding of the cause, natural all the schools’ talks we are doing.’ reasoning in everyday life. history and treatment of disease.

Issue 6 | Summer 2008 | 21 FEATURE

CamBridgeSens – a strategic initiative to bridge gaps across disciplines, departments and research cultures – launches this summer. Bridging the sensor gap R FRANKEL, M POSFAI, P BUSECK, DEPT MATERIALS SCIENCE; A DIXON, DEPT RADIOLOGY; G WEI HO AND M WELLAND, NANOSCIENCE CENTRE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: T LAURILA, DEPT CHEMICAL ENGINEERING; A HUSMANN, M MCCARTNEY, C BOOTHROYD AND R DUNIN-BORKOWSKI, DEPT MATER World-leading research at the University of Cambridge is pushing the limits in sensor technology

We live in a world aided by sensors – From sandpits to research students will participate, and devices that measure a physical quantity, kindergartens 20 Research Ambassadors have agreed to convert the measurement to a signal, and provide solid foundations for what is set interpret and act on the result to provide A key issue in bridging disciplines is to to become a network of international real-time information about the world develop a common language, as Professor excellence. around us. Their uses are as diverse as the Hall explained: ‘Because this initiative has But the implications of the initiative science that goes into making them: at its heart a shared vision of traversing stretch wide and have the potential to monitoring environmental change and the the boundaries of traditional sensor transform the training and research culture state of our health; enhancing process research and invoking unique interfaces in Cambridge. ‘By breaking down control and product assessment in between disciplines, a basis for discipline barriers and creating identities industry; providing security and safety communication needs to be achieved early between researchers with common enough to engage its partners and information – in short, sensors affect how research goals that transcend broaden the experience and appreciation we live, work and make decisions. The departmental affiliation,’ said Professor of students.’ value of the global sensor market has Ian White, Chair of the School of Underpinning this cross-disciplinary passed the £100 billion mark already and Technology, ‘Cambridge can play a communication and collaboration will be a market projections predict enormous powerful role in responding to challenging diverse group of ‘Research Ambassadors’, future growth. problems of the future.’ comprising leading researchers at World-leading research at the Cambridge plus industrialists, all of whom University of Cambridge is pushing the are recognised world leaders in the sensor limits in sensor technology – ever smaller, field. The programme will be managed cheaper, more sensitive and robust – ‘from the bottom up’ and major drivers reflecting the great strengths in sensor will be future students engaging in sensor- research in the physical sciences, related research. ‘The quality of the engineering, mathematics, computer studentship at Cambridge is a great asset,’ science and technology. But to allow the said Dr Kaminski. ‘By enabling young quantum leaps forward that many believe researchers to realise their ideas through are possible, it is becoming crucial to ‘sandpit’ brainstorming events, research connect the disciplines and bridge the competitions and secondment gaps. This is the goal of CamBridgeSens, opportunities (as well as through offers of a new initiative sponsored by the real cash!), radically new approaches to Engineering and Physical Sciences Professor Lisa Hall sensor research will emerge.’ Research Council (EPSRC). and Dr Clemens Through a ‘kindergarten’ programme, IALS SCIENCE; R JONES AND I YOUNG, DEPT CHEMISTRY; ‘We aim to fundamentally change students will receive research experience in Kaminski the way sensor research is conducted in a variety of disciplines in their first or Cambridge by creating an environment second year. Early-career researchers will where researchers are able to explore be encouraged to undertake discipline- their most adventurous and creative ideas. hopping secondments and industrial We also seek to connect the tremendous exchanges, supported by Research expertise and skills that exist here, to put Ambassadors promoting interactions at us in a leading position to tackle even the grass roots. the most challenging problems in sensor research,’ said Dr Clemens Kaminski, of the Department of Chemical Breaking down barriers For more information about Engineering, who leads the project with The scale of CamBridgeSens is ambitious: CamBridgeSens and how to Professor Lisa Hall of the Institute of under the steerage of Dr Mica Green, participate, please visit Biotechnology. coordinator of the project, at least 50 www.sensors.cam.ac.uk/

22 | Issue 6 | Summer 2008 FEATURE New paths to drug discovery

A new Cambridge programme aims to meet the challenges of drug discovery by harnessing a spectrum of academic expertise.

A major scientific priority worldwide is ISTOCKPHOTO the discovery and development of new drugs for treating human diseases. Our understanding of the molecular circuits controlling normal and diseased cells is now incredibly detailed. But with each major advance in fundamental science comes an abundance of potential targets for the next generation of medicines. How can these novel discoveries be Trust and the European Union, brings translated smoothly to clinical benefits? A new research paradigm together researchers from across the A new multidisciplinary initiative, the ‘The considerable strengths of University to address these challenges in Cambridge Molecular Therapeutics Cambridge science in the physical, relation to cancer and infectious Programme (CMTP), is pioneering chemical and biomedical disciplines diseases. Jointly directed by Professor methods for the discovery of drugs haven’t previously been harnessed in Venkitaraman and Professor Sir Tom against new types of targets traditionally this way to underpin a unique Blundell (Department of Biochemistry viewed as ‘difficult-to-drug’. Equally interdisciplinary collaboration for drug and Chair of the School of Biological important, these drugs are being used as discovery,’ said Professor Blundell. With Sciences), the initiative entails close chemical tools to find innovative ways its goal-oriented and milestone-driven cooperation with colleagues in the for the successful clinical development of organisation, the CMTP is offering a Department of Chemistry, including new medicines. new and collaborative model for Professor Chris Abell, Professor Shankar pharmaceutical research in an academic Balasubramanian and Dr David Spring, as setting, smoothing the path from drug Considering the challenges well as Professor Mike Payne at the discovery to the clinic. Drug discovery is expensive and Cavendish Laboratory. Each team brings protracted: the average cost of a unique yet complementary set of skills developing a new biotechnology product to the programme. has been estimated to be $1.2 billion ‘One objective is to develop (http://csdd.tufts.edu). ‘One of the key innovative methods to discover drugs challenges in this process is the limited against novel or difficult targets, for repertoire of molecular targets that have which we have established several been successfully ‘drugged’,’ explained approaches in-house or with industrial Professor Ashok Venkitaraman, at the partners,’ said Professor Venkitaraman. Department of Oncology and the ‘As one important example of our Hutchison/MRC Research Centre. efforts, small fragments of drug ‘Despite the large number of molecular molecules are being soaked into crystals targets now implicated in human of the target to identify the site and diseases, perhaps around 95% of new nature of the binding interaction, and drugs are being made against fewer than this information is being used to design 5% of the potential targets.’ and synthesise new types of inhibitors,’ To make matters worse, many new explained Professor Blundell. Professor drugs are ineffective during early clinical Venkitaraman added: ‘Other work in the Professor tests in patients. Often this is the result CMTP combines chemistry and physics Ashok Venkitaraman of gaps in our understanding of their with functional genomics, fluorescence (left) and Professor biological effects on cells and tissues, as imaging and molecular cell biology to Sir Tom Blundell well as the difficulty in identifying those derive unique insights into human patients who are most likely to benefit physiology and pathology. Through this from the new treatments. we hope to guide the better design of clinical trials to test new drugs and to For more information about the Exploring new paths identify ‘biomarkers’ that help to Cambridge Molecular Therapeutics The CMTP, funded by the Medical distinguish patients who will benefit Programme, please visit Research Council (MRC), the Wellcome from the treatments.’ www.hutchison-mrc.cam.ac.uk/cmtp/

Issue 6 | Summer 2008 | 23 FEATURE Cosmopolitan cities

Research on the changing face of Eurasian cities – of Eurasia formerly famous for cosmopolitanism and now crossroads of migration – hopes to provide an understanding of their new social make-up.

Migration flows in the past 15 years domestic-workers, builders, shuttle- have greatly altered the character of traders) from all over the former-USSR many cities of Eurasia. Research in the through Istanbul and other Black Sea Department of Social Anthropology led ports to Europe and elsewhere. by Professor Caroline Humphrey is The cities are thus becoming hosts to comparing the changing social dynamics new kinds of ‘trans-locality’, set up not of three cities famed for their only by migration but also by tourism cosmopolitanism: the two great ports of and the openings for the imagination the Black Sea – Odessa and Istanbul – offered by the internet. Yet there remain and the trading and religious centre traces and images from former times. Bukhara in Uzbekistan. All three were The research team has coined the term extolled for their harmonious spirit and ‘post-cosmopolitan’ to characterise this diversity during Tsarist/Soviet and many-stranded kind of urban sensibility. Ottoman times. Now, most people of the The project is exploring these three cities previously large minority communities not so much to contrast them (although have emigrated: Jews to Israel or the they are of course very different) but to USA; and Greeks, Armenians, Germans, point to common processes that seem to Romanians, Russians and Tatars to their be occurring in many cities across Europe various homelands. What is the impact – and Asia in the 21st century. in particular the cultural impact – of these sporadic, yet repeated, travels Residues and memories across the Black Sea? As a start, it was necessary to study critically the conventional idea of Surging currents cosmopolitan harmony, because it was The established patterns of multi-ethnic often imposed by the state. The research interaction in Istanbul, Odessa and team – Professor Humphrey and Dr Vera Bukhara have been replaced by a new Skvirskaja in Odessa and Bukhara, and edginess. Incomers from rural areas have Dr Yael Navaro-Yashin in Istanbul – is taken up the vacated places: villagers documenting the narratives, recollections from Anatolia have moved into Istanbul, and practices of the real cosmopolitan Ukrainians and other Slavs into Odessa, relations that existed when people were and rural Uzbeks into Bukhara. These forced to live together. People accepted, often told that people’s loyalty was to migrations are happening at the same took a practical interest in, and often the city rather than to the state. These time that the cities find themselves in warmly respected other ways of life, but more or less cordial, but always limited, states that are stridently more nationalistic at the same time they upheld strict and relations were robust. The ideal of urban than they were in previous decades. nuanced boundaries between ‘us’ and civility persisted, even through revolution, Seen en masse, Odessa and Bukhara ‘them’. With certain groups it was state-inspired pogroms, and the influx of look a good deal less ethnically and permissible to take tea but not to eat evacuees during World War II. religiously diverse than they did. But on a together; with others one could attend small scale, a new group of global a religious rite but in no circumstances New social configurations migrants is appearing: Chinese, Afghans, marry. Vietnamese and Africans, mostly arriving Writers, architects, musicians, Today in Bukhara and Odessa those to trade. And now, just as Turkish dressmakers, chefs, sailors, and all who dense neighbourly relations have been workers moved to Europe in the 1980s, were in touch with the magic of other replaced by more inward-looking and there is also considerable out-migration cultures, were the vectors of xenophobic attitudes. Many vignettes of of Uzbeks and Ukrainians from Bukhara cosmopolitan impulses. Dense urban city life confirm this. In the urban and Odessa to international destinations interactions gave rise to idiosyncratic city- courtyards, where apartments are now for work. Indeed, Odessa has become specific ways of speaking – ‘languages’ privatised, strangers are often no longer something of a funnel-city, channelling that were in fact mixtures of several welcome. Citizens have turned to the mobile people (refugees, prostitutes, languages – and the researchers were idea of ‘tolerance’, which pays lip-service

24 | Issue 6 | Summer 2008 FEATURE

PROFESSOR CAROLINE HUMPHREY (BOTH IMAGES) diasporas across the world. There are over 10 times as many Bukharan Jews in Queens, New York, as in Bukhara itself. Communicating with the home city by websites, travel agencies, marriage bureaux, charitable organisations and investments, the departed groups are increasingly influential in the home cities at a distance. The Greeks or Jews left behind, who are often elderly and bereft, typically say they feel like marginal outposts of world communities in their own home cities, especially with the consolidation of Islam in Bukhara and Istanbul, and Orthodox Christianity in Odessa. Nevertheless, there are lively strands that cross this picture of retrenchment. Many traders with international links have Above: Courtyards in Odessa were famous for made their fortune. Even a few Gypsies, their multi-ethnic conviviality; now, barriers such who are largely excluded from mainstream as the corrugated iron structure seen to the left business, have become rich, building are dividing up these spaces palatial houses and burying their dead in Left: Placard celebrating the diversity of Odessa, marble mausoleums in one of the old ‘Ba! We know all these people…’ Jewish cemeteries. Commercial links between the two Black Sea cities have transformed parts of old Istanbul, where Russian sometimes serves as a lingua franca. Just as in the 1920s, when Russian women émigrés were said to have ‘wrought more destruction [of Turkish morals]…than Russian armies in centuries’, today Slav women, including prostitutes, can be represented as agents of modernisation, especially of gender relations among rural migrants in Turkish cities. Meanwhile, Turkish men going the other way, said to be excellent and sober husbands, have set up flourishing businesses in Odessa. Living historically This research is only beginning. One of the themes to be explored is history, materiality and affect in the city. Diverse previous communities have left traces in the form of religious buildings, cemeteries and particular architectures. In Istanbul, neighbourhoods previously inhabited by Greeks, Jews and Armenians have to earlier traditions, but in fact requires abandoned churches and houses marked only that strangers be tolerated – in by the Star of David or with the names of other words ignored, not beaten up. former owners. In studying such complex Even tolerance is under strain. The vast urban spaces as lived and remembered container market of southern Ukraine phenomena, the research explores a new called ‘7th Kilometre’ has been sited idea of ‘vertical’ cosmopolitanism – that outside Odessa, and the Afghan, which is embedded in the layered Vietnamese and other traders are afraid historical remains of the city. to travel there except in convoy for fear of attacks. Sailors describe how merchant For more information, please contact ships travelling the seas from Odessa, the author Professor Caroline formerly transmitters of cosmopolitanism, Humphrey ([email protected]) at are now rigidly divided – the sailors of Professor Caroline the Department of Social different ranks and ethnicity barely talk Humphrey Anthropology. The Black Sea Currents to one another. project is funded by the Arts and Meanwhile, the few people left of Humanities Research Council (AHRC) the old minority communities in the cities as part of the ‘Diasporas, Migration are experiencing a huge shift in gravity. and Identities’ trans-disciplinary Out-migration has created populous new programme.

Issue 6 | Summer 2008 | 25 FEATURE

How do plants tell the time and the passing of the seasons? Plant scientists are enlisting the help of engineers in their quest to uncover the rhythms of circadian clocks. !"#$%&#'%()"*+,-

Ever since the French scientist Jean-Jacques through a collaborative project with clock genes and that fluctuations in d’Ortous de Marian discovered in the Dr Jorge Gonçalves in the Department of calcium levels are caused by cADPR 1700s that patterns of leaf movement Engineering. The research, funded binding to protein channels in the internal follow a 24-hour clock, our understanding principally by the Biotechnology and membranes of plant cells, permitting has been growing of the in-built clocks Biological Sciences Research Council calcium to enter the living part of the cell. that plants and animals live by. ‘Circadian’ (BBSRC) and the Engineering and Physical clocks are important for living organisms Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), is Loops within loops to maintain the rhythms of life and have combining engineering control theory and The next discovery was a surprise: not evolved independently at least four times: plant cell biology, with the result that only is cADPR regulated by the circadian in blue-green algae, fungi, animals and novel tools are being developed to genes but many circadian-regulated genes plants. Desynchronisation of the clock understand oscillating biological systems. are themselves regulated by cADPR. This with the environment has adverse effects led to the intriguing hypothesis that the – all too familiar for those who have Regulating rhythms clock genes cause 24-hour oscillations of experienced the unpleasant feelings of both cADPR and calcium, which in turn disorientation during ‘jet lag’, where the A circadian clock comprising 10–20 genes regulate the level of activity of the clock crossing of time zones disrupts the that form interconnecting feedback loops genes as part of a new loop in the plant functioning of the circadian system. of gene expression is present in every cell circadian clock – a sort of loop within a Plants, which are literally rooted to the of the plant. Initiated by changes in light loop. The problem was how to test this spot, use their circadian clocks to help and temperature, these linked loops of hypothesis. them adapt to the night/day cycles of gene expression control a huge amount This is where the skills of the light and temperature caused by the of plant biology; plants grow rhythmically, engineers allowed an advance that could rotation of the Earth, whether it is with rhythms of metabolism and even preparing for day-time photosynthesis or rhythms of photosynthesis, and a third of not be achieved using biological preventing night-time water loss. Seasonal all plant genes are switched on and off techniques alone. By creating events like fruiting and leaf drop are also within a 24-hour cycle. mathematical simulations of how a plant’s governed by the clock. Increasing our How can the activity of so few genes circadian system might behave, they were understanding of the molecular have such a pervasive effect on the able to compare these simulations with mechanisms at work therefore has wide biology of plants? It seems that the level the behaviours of genetically modified implications: from the possibility of of calcium, a key regulator of cellular plants with altered cADPR levels. The selective crop breeding, through events in all organisms, is crucial. In plant results, published in December in Science increasing ecosystem productivity, to cells, the concentration goes up and magazine, demonstrate the existence of this feedback loop. control of atmospheric CO2. down with a 24-hour rhythm governed by Dr Alex Webb and colleagues the plant circadian clock. Drs Antony Dodd and Michael Gardner in Dr Webb and colleagues have Running fast and slow the Department of Plant Sciences have discovered that what causes the rhythms One intriguing feature of these findings is been working to understand the intricate of calcium to change is a molecule called that by interfering with cADPR signalling processes of the daily clocks of plants. cyclic ADP ribose (cADPR). By studying the plant clock might be forced to run Recent findings have taken a surprising Thale Cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), the faster or slower. Dr Webb and Professor turn, one that is benefiting from the researchers found that the concentration Andrew Millar at the University of application of engineering principles of cADPR is regulated by the circadian Edinburgh found that mutant laboratory

26 | Issue 6 | Summer 2008 FEATURE ERNE IHPRISO (©2005) FROM ELSEVIER REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCES (2005), 10, 15–21

Circadian control of leaflet movements in Mimosa pudica

strains of plants with clocks that run fast inherently unstable aeroplanes to fly. or slow grow to half the size of When looking at biology, however, it’s neighbours with a correctly functioning clear that new mathematical tools are clock. Remarkably, when put in artificial needed to analyse biological systems. light/dark cycles that matched the These systems are highly complex, ‘expectations’ of the mutant clocks, the dynamic in space and time, have many mutant plants grew better than normal components that are often used to healthy plants. It seems therefore that perform multiple tasks, often involve matching a clock to the local day-length feedback with clear non-linear behaviours, conditions could have beneficial effects and, perhaps most challenging of all, on plant growth. biological data are typically expensive, By making a plant clock run faster for lengthy to obtain and noisy. To deal with short daylight hours or slower for long the complexities of biological systems, daylight hours, interesting opportunities engineers Dr Gonçalves and Dr Guy might arise in crop development for Saint-Bart are developing new theoretic bioenergy and agricultural output. This mathematical approaches to study such might in fact have been the accidental complex non-linear systems. outcome of the selective breeding of As collaborations between biologists, barley by farmers thousands of years ago, engineers and mathematicians become when they began moving the crop further more common, it seems that the world northwards, where summer day-length is of biology is changing. And Engineering longer. Working with colleagues at the Dr Alex Webb Departments too are changing: National Institute of Agricultural Botany in increasingly, engineers are turning their Cambridge, Dr Webb is investigating the (left) and expertise towards biological systems such circadian clock of different barley varieties Dr Jorge as plant growth, gene expression, cancer, to see if this might be true. Gonçalves cognition and the beating of the heart. New mathematical tools Meanwhile, the collaboration between the engineers and plant biologists is continuing. One spin-off has been the development of new types of mathematical tools to understand For more information, please contact complex systems. the authors Dr Alex Webb The tools used by control theory ([email protected]) at the Department engineers have been very successful at of Plant Sciences or Dr Jorge designing a large number of technological Gonçalves ([email protected]) at the systems, from the simple cruise control Department of Engineering. This required to maintain the speed of a car, research was published in Science to more complex controls that allow (2007) 318, 1789–1792.

Issue 6 | Summer 2008 | 27 FEATURE

Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times (1936)

Why have writers been so fascinated by cinema? What role Celebrating cinema, from might this 19th-century invention play in the digital age? 1895 to the digital age As applications of digital technology – seems that they liked everything about it YouTube, Facebook, Second Life, that was mechanical. A machine had chatrooms, multiplayer gaming – captured the images; a machine would proliferate all around us, it would be easy project them in front of an audience. In to forget that film was once the newest cinema, unlike theatre, performer and of new media. In the 30 years or so after audience never coincide; for one to be its invention in 1895, film transformed present, the other must be absent. This habits of thought and perception as gap in time and space permits reflection. radically as the internet and the mobile The screen is a mirror. The images in phone have done during the past decade. which you find your desires and anxieties Contemporary writers, from James Joyce reflected allow you to reflect on yourself. and Virginia Woolf to Grahame Greene, And these images stir thought, because Samuel Beckett, and beyond, observed the camera notices what the human with passionate interest cinema’s observer would overlook. As the poet Marianne Moore put it, ‘like the lie emergence as the 20th-century’s detector of the criminal court,’ film dominant cultural form. Professor David ‘reveals agitation which the eye fails Trotter, of the Faculty of English, has been to see.’ researching this phenomenon, asking: The film camera, a machine for What did writers see in cinema? Does seeing, seemed at once to enact and to their response tell us anything about the invite enquiry into ways of being human medium’s enduring capabilities? Will those for which there was as yet no other capabilities complement, contest, or lose adequate definition. Early 20th-century out to newer media and newer art-forms? cinema frequently took as its subject a person’s relationship not to another Machines for seeing person, or to god, nature, society or Just why did Joyce, and so many other nation, but to a tool, instrument, or writers, take an interest in cinema? It technology. This is nowhere more

28 | Issue 6 | Summer 2008 FEATURE

apparent than when Charlie Chaplin, Hollywood ‘on the line’ And now? hotly pursued, disguises himself as a If cinema has tended to embrace It’s a common assumption today that the lampstand or a fairground automaton. technique, it has often been wary of rival old medium of cinema will sooner or Even after the pursuit has moved on, technologies. The movies, for example, later be rendered obsolete by, or merge he lingers inside his contraption. He are deeply suspicious of telephony. Much into, web-based media applications such is fascinated by that mechanism in better to let the phone ring, if you’re in a as pod-casting and video-streaming. mechanical behaviour which somehow Hollywood film (but no-one ever does). These offer what film cannot: the has more life to it than non-mechanical Answer it, and your life is instantly ‘on the potential for interactivity and real-time behaviour. When a machine grabs line’. For the call, in these movies, is never communication at a distance. And yet, as him, as one does in Modern Times not an intrusion. It ruthlessly finds you out its long campaign against telephony so (1936), well, that has its fascinations, in your most private being, with bad vividly demonstrates, cinema can offer an too. news, or threats, or abuse, or the sort of entertaining and instructive commentary invitation you cannot refuse. on the principles which define these new Representing technique Cinema always wants to describe media, and the habits to which they give what’s at stake in these transactions Cinema reminds us that the history rise. This is where the time and space it which so unceremoniously abolish of humanity has always been the history offers for reflection come in. The Matrix MODERN TIMES BY CHAPLIN ©ROY COMPANY EXPORT ESTABLISHMENT physical and moral distance. It does so by of technology, from the stone axe to (1999) set new standards for digitalised the power of the visual image. In film the mobile phone. We are, for better special effects; it exists both as a movie after film, the apparatus itself looms large or worse, what our machines (our tools) and as a computer game. But by vividly in the frame, grotesquely brooding until have enabled us to do. There is always, establishing the telephone as the portal called into action, and then once in inside our most intimate sense of action, clamped like an armature or between real and virtual worlds, The ourselves, a technique: the knowledge strange protuberance to the talking head. Matrix invites us to ask just how much we have acquired, in bits and pieces, These images reinstate the surrounding interactivity and communication at a often painfully, about how to ‘handle’ world in its material presence: all that we distance we really want. life. During its golden age, from the no longer notice when absorbed in the Hollywood films constitute a vast 1920s to the 1950s, Hollywood sounds of telecommunication. Even at its archive – rarely if ever examined from specialised in representing technique. most flippant, or programmatically this point of view – of attitudes to and Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers shocking, cinema instructs us about our fantasies about the technical self: the self enthralled millions because they technological habits. When one of Freddy which has been immersed in technique, knew how to dance. And knowing Krueger’s victims makes the mistake of in technology, and so has become its how to dance meant knowing how answering the phone in A Nightmare on own tool or instrument. Cinema’s to live. Elm Street (1984), the receiver she holds response to the new media has only just to her face metamorphoses obscenely started. The digital age awaits its Charlie into his mouth and tongue. Chaplin. ROBIN GRIERSON ROBIN

Establishing a research and teaching culture in screen media in Cambridge

Screen media – from film, through television and video, to the new digital arts – are currently the focus of a rich and rapidly evolving array of research initiatives in the arts, humanities and social sciences in Cambridge. Reflecting this, an interdisciplinary MPhil in Screen Media and Cultures was launched last year with the participation of departments throughout the University. The MPhil recruits both nationally and internationally, and has become the focus for individual and collaborative research into the history and theory of screen media. ‘The opportunity has never been greater to develop and understand the historical and theoretical relationship between the moving image and the cultures which gave Professor rise to it,’ said Professor David Trotter, who founded the MPhil, ‘and we hope David Trotter that the course at Cambridge will in time make an important contribution to that process.’ For more information, please contact the author Professor David Trotter For more information, please visit www.screenmedia.group.cam.ac.uk ([email protected]) at the Faculty of English.

Issue 6 | Summer 2008 | 29 FEATURE

As more people become city-dwellers, can we design cities to be more sustainable? Designing sustainable cities of the future

Today, half of the world’s population live A multidisciplinary consortium 25 years. Computer models have been in cities, and estimates by the United With funding of £3.85 million awarded by used to assess combinations of land use Nations suggest that by 2030 this will the Engineering and Physical Sciences and modes of transport, asking how have risen to two-thirds. As the world Research Council (EPSRC) as part of their changes in the planning of suburbs might population increases from 6 to 8 billion Sustainable Urban Environment affect how people travel, their cost of at current predictions, rural towns will programme, the project brings together living and the damage to the become cities and cities will grow larger. the Universities of Cambridge, environment. The results are being used In developed countries, as many as Aberystwyth, Exeter, Leeds, Newcastle and to draw up policy advice for central and 83% of the population will become Surrey. Each institution contributes local government, as well as design city-dwellers. expertise in different areas to the guidelines for planners, house builders Cities have expanded over time to multidisciplinary project, from energy and environmentalists alike. meet the economic growth and lifestyle generation and supply, through water and aspirations of those who live in them. But waste management, to assessments of Towards sustainable living they have grown at the expense of demography, economics, health and Important considerations in planning a increasing rates of resource consumption sustainability. sustainable city include how best to plan and increasing waste production and Cambridge’s role will be to coordinate its infrastructure for coordinating carbon emissions. Can urban planners the project and design the options and transport, water, waste and energy, and design cities of the future that will be modelling framework for land use, these will form core research questions in sustainable: cities with good air and water buildings and transport. Because the the ReVISIONS project. Although the quality, where transportation systems are research is constructed from the outset research focuses on London, the Greater optimised, and energy consumption and with the purpose of having direct value South East and the North East of England, carbon emissions are reduced? for public and private decision-makers, the project also looks beyond the UK, to Understanding how to accomplish this is key partnerships have been formed with Beijing, São Paulo and Los Angeles city the aim of a new four-year project, regional planning authorities and private regions, providing a valuable international ‘ReVISIONS’, led by the University of companies, with the East of England perspective. As the world moves towards Cambridge’s Department of Architecture. Development Agency (EEDA) being one of greater urbanisation, the team’s goal is to the leading partners. deliver innovative and practical guidelines on how best to plan cities for sustainable From SOLUTIONS and economic growth, as well as for to ReVISIONS improved quality of life for the billions of people who live in them. The ReVISIONS project builds on expertise developed through ‘SOLUTIONS’, a four-year EPSRC- funded project in the Department of Architecture that reaches completion in September 2008. Here, the focus has been on designing suburbs of the future – Professor improving the Marcial Echenique

PROFESSOR MARCIAL ECHENIQUE quality of life for people who live in the outer fringes of cities. For more information, please contact SOLUTIONS the author Professor Marcial has focused Echenique ([email protected]) or the on four UK Project Manager Dr Anthony cities, including Hargreaves ([email protected]) at the Cambridge, which are Department of Architecture. experiencing high growth pressures in their suburbs. SOLUTIONS: Sustainability of Land Use and Like ReVISIONS, the Transport in Outer Neighbourhoods ReVISIONS: Regional Visions of Integrated planning horizon for Sustainable Infrastructure Optimised for testing designs is Neighbourhoods

30 | Issue 6 | Summer 2008 INSIDE OUT Professor Nicola Clayton PHILIP MYNOTT

Nicky Clayton, Professor of Department of Experimental Psychology. Comparative Cognition in These incredibly productive collaborations hold great promise for our future the Department of understanding of the workings of the Experimental Psychology, brain in animals and humans. has thrown the doors wide What would others be surprised to open on animal cognition. learn about you? Where once the idea would A large part of my life is spent dancing – have been dismissed that ballet, jazz, and particularly Latin dance like salsa and tango. Of course birds animals can re-experience dance too: I have a favourite video clip the past and plan for the that I show my students of the dance of future, her imaginative the Swallow-tailed Manakin – it’s the avian equivalent of tango, and not studies have shown this surprisingly therefore they are found in inherent cleverness in Argentina! Two males perform a duet, a crows. fabulous, showy double-act in which they display their beautiful plumage and synchronised movements. The males Nicky Clayton has always been fascinated spend 90% of their time for nine months by birds – by their glamour and elegance, of the year dancing – a pretty intense their movement and rituals, their melodies avian dance school. This example and labours. This abiding passion has encapsulates why I love dance: the taken her from studying birdsong in zebra elegance of movement, the colours, form, If you could wake up tomorrow with finches to observing complex feats of intensity and dedication – it strikes the a new skill, what would it be? cognition in members of the corvid (crow) core of my soul. I’d like to be able to dance flamenco. family, which includes scrub-jays, British And I’d like to be reincarnated as a jays, ravens and crows. Moving from the Who or what inspires you? scrub-jay – imagine what it must be like University of California Davis to What inspires me is the curiosity and to experience being part of this clever Cambridge’s Department of Experimental creativity of science, and the social and family of birds and find out what they Psychology in 2000 with her colony of serendipitous meetings between people really are thinking! scrub-jays, she embarked on a series of that lead on to discoveries. My academic experiments with colleague Professor Tony hero is the late Bill Thorpe, Professor of What motivates you to go to work Dickinson that was to break new ground Animal Ethology and founder of each day? in comparative cognition. Their inventive Cambridge’s Sub-Department of Animal That’s really easy: I love what I do. I love experiments have shown that birds hide Behaviour. He was an incredibly wise man my days spent in research, in teaching (or cache) food, remember where to and in many ways ahead of his time: he undergraduates and graduates, in recover it from at a later date, and even suggested that because bird brains are running a wonderfully supportive family- steal it from each other. Not only this, but structurally different from the classic style lab, and last but by no means least, by remembering past events (such as mammalian structure people shouldn’t these long-term collaborations with my whether or not they would find breakfast assume that they are creatures of instinct. two best friends – Nathan, who is my in a certain room in the morning), the We now know of course that birds have husband and soulmate, and dear Tony. birds could take action for their future (by quite impressive cognitive abilities. And I love releasing steam by dancing moving breakfast into the empty room tango and salsa. the night before). Have you ever had a Eureka moment? The widely held view had been that I suppose when Tony Dickinson and I first What is your favourite research tool? animals can learn things through met – at the International Comparative My eyes and ears. For so much of the experience but not through memory; this Psychology meeting in Montreal in 1996 – work I do what’s essential is detailed ability to mentally travel back through and he said animals don’t need episodic observation – looking and listening. It’s time – so-called episodic memory – was memory. That got us talking and we also important for dancing – being a thought to be something unique to the began asking questions in a way that good observer and a good human race. For the first time ever, these nobody else had been doing before. Out listener helps you to experiments showed that humans are not of that developed a wonderfully fruitful copy the alone in being able to remember a past collaboration, with the result that four nuances experience in terms of what happened, years later I moved here and we have of the where and when. been collaborating ever since. rhythms. CHRIS BIRD Nicky Clayton’s research has already branched out to cognitive studies What’s the best piece of advice you’ve comparing corvids with great apes ever been given? through a collaborative project with her Lord Krebs of Wytham, whom I worked husband, Dr Nathan Emery (Queen Mary, with in Oxford, always emphasised the University of London). She is now also importance of balance in your life. His embarking on similar studies in young maxim was ‘healthy minds need healthy Western children with Dr Jim Russell in the bodies’. scrub-jay

Issue 6 | Summer 2008 | 31 IN FOCUS

Hunting for hotspots in Two biochemists have recently won an MRC grant to investigate potential targets in the treatment of cancer.

Drs Helen Mott and Darerca Owen in the Department of Biochemistry The mission of the Medical Research Council are studying a family of proteins (MRC) is to support the best research and training known as RalA and RalB that have to improve human health. With a portfolio that recently moved into the limelight as ‘key offenders’ in the encompasses MRC Units and Institutes, progression of normal cells to universities and hospitals, the MRC funds research cancerous cells. that ranges from fundamental molecular biology Although discovered 20 years ago, comparatively through animal models and clinical research to little is known of the population studies. interactions of RalA and RalB with other proteins. Much of what the MRC does is in conjunction with the Health ‘Being awarded our first Departments in England and the devolved administrations, the National MRC Project Grant has Health Service, other research councils, industry and charities. This research meant that we can focus has led to some of the most significant discoveries in medical science and on the binding of RalB has benefited millions of people in the UK and around the world. But the to a protein known benefits go beyond improvements in health care. A study commissioned by as RLIP’, said Dr the University of Cambridge and others shows that the University’s impact Mott, who on the economy is considerable. MRC-supported research in life sciences is has previously a substantial contributor to this. been funded through both • Each year, the MRC spends more than £60 million supporting the a Training eight MRC research establishments in Cambridge (comprising Fellowship and over 1000 scientists and students), many of which work in a Career partnership with research groups in the University. Development Award from the • The planned building of the new MRC Laboratory of Molecular MRC. ‘We’re Biology (LMB) will be the flagship of the newly expanded interested in how they Cambridge Biomedical Campus and includes space for research bind together at the groups from the Clinical School. molecular level and which regions are • Neuroscience, cancer and metabolic science are important particularly important for research areas in Cambridge: the MRC recently awarded interaction – the ‘hotspots’ – as £2 million to Professor Carol Brayne to study healthy life and these are potential targets for drug design,’ explained Dr Owen. ‘If you can cognition across generations and £1 million to Professor Ashok target the hotspots, you might be able to Venkitaraman towards the new Cambridge Molecular interrupt the interaction.’ Therapeutics Programme (see page 23 of this issue). Much of the With their strong track record in research in the new Institute of Metabolic Science is funded by solving the structures of proteins using the MRC (see right-most panel). nuclear magnetic resonance technology and molecular biology expertise, Drs Mott • In the past two financial years alone, the MRC has awarded 58 and Owen plan to design mutants to grants and fellowships to the University worth over £40 million, inhibit binding and determine what effect including many for fundamental science such as the recent grant this has on cell function. ‘Because the to Drs Helen Mott and Darerca Owen (see centre panel). signalling networks that govern a cell are enormous, it’s really difficult to tease out The MRC is now particularly keen to encourage ambitious longer term how everything fits together,’ explained proposals (for up to five years), both from established researchers and from Dr Mott. ‘These types of studies are those new to the MRC. Following the recent settlement for the science helping by homing in on a specific aspect budget, MRC funding is set to increase to £682 million a year by 2010, as at the molecular level: the mechanism of part of the alignment with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) how one protein binds to another and and other public sector funders. Through a single health research strategy, with what effect.’ the MRC will be able to translate scientific findings into benefits for patients as quickly as possible, as well as continuing to attract international For more information, please contact investment and fuel the ever-growing knowledge economy. Dr Helen Mott ([email protected]) or Dr Darerca Owen Details of the MRC Delivery Plan, new funding schemes and full ([email protected]) at the information for applicants can be found at www.mrc.ac.uk Department of Biochemistry.

32 | Issue 6 | Summer 2008 IN FOCUS protein interactions Translating research into healthy lives MRC-supported initiatives on the Cambridge Biomedical

DR HELEN MOTT AND DARERCA OWEN Campus aim to combat health problems linked with obesity and lifestyle.

Institute of Metabolic Science

Obesity, and its associated health be one of five Centres of Excellence problems, including type 2 diabetes, across the UK to tackle public health metabolic disorders and some cancers, issues that have a significant impact on has become one of the most pressing the health of the nation. The new Centre public health issues in the developed for Public Health Research will provide world. It is estimated that the number of the evidence-base for public health premature deaths attributable to obesity interventions, with the aim of improving is around 30,000 each year, costing the diet and physical activity across the National Health Service an estimated population. Funding was provided under £1 billion annually. Recently released the umbrella of the UK Clinical Research statistics from the National Health Service Collaboration (UKCRC), a partnership of (www.ic.nhs.uk) show that nearly a funders led by the Economic and Social quarter of all adults and 16% of children Research Council (ESRC) and including in England are classified as obese and the MRC, which together have invested that the problem is escalating. £20 million over five years to establish Responding to these challenges, two the Centres of Excellence. new developments on the Cambridge ‘These are interesting developments Biomedical Campus at Addenbrooke’s for Cambridge,’ said Professor Wareham. Hospital will break new ground in ‘They provide depth to a balanced translating medical research to patient approach to investigating the underlying care: the Institute of Metabolic Science causes of obesity and metabolic (IMS), under the joint leadership of disorders, as well as simultaneously Professors Steve O’Rahilly and Nick researching individual and population Wareham, and the Centre for Public approaches to prevention.’ Health Research Excellence in Diet and Physical Activity, directed by Professor Structure of Ral (pink) binding to RLIP (grey) Wareham. solved by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy The IMS, which will be officially launched on 24 July 2008, is a tri- institutional partnership between the MRC, the University and the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Its visionary strategy is to link research into the fundamental understanding of obesity and metabolic diseases directly to patient care through the three initiatives it houses: the MRC Epidemiology Unit; the University of Professor Nick Cambridge’s cross-departmental Wareham Metabolic Research Laboratory (MRL), which includes the MRC Centre for Please visit www.ims.cam.ac.uk Obesity and Related Metabolic Diseases; for more information on the IMS, and the Clinical Care Centre for treating and www.iph.cam.ac.uk for more Dr Darerca Owen patients. information on the Centre for (left) and In January this year it was announced Public Health Research Excellence Dr Helen Mott that the Institute of Public Health would in Diet and Physical Activity.

Issue 6 | Summer 2008 | 33 RESEARCH SUPPORT

NEWS FROM RESEARCH SERVICES DIVISION Research Horizons online! Connecting industry and academia An exciting new development for Research through knowledge transfer Horizons is under way. Forming a partnership with a company can help link academic skills and expertise with the needs of an industrial partner. Funding is available for academics wishing to forge links with industry and companies seeking to benefit from high-calibre academic research. Two schemes – Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), funded by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), and Knowledge Partners East of England (KEEP 3), funded by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) – provide joint funding between a sponsor and a company. The industry–academia partnership works together to select a graduate to embark on a specific project for 1–3 years (KTP) or 3–6 months (KEEP 3). Projects can be undertaken in a wide range of areas, including product design, manufacturing, technical innovation, business processes, IT, social sciences and commercial development. The next issue of Research Horizons will mark two years of ‘Schemes such as these bring great benefits, through showcasing the excellence and breadth of research across the knowledge transfer and development of commercial University of Cambridge: from arts and humanities to science and awareness,’ explained Lisa Wears of RSD’s Partnership Group technology, we aim to inform our readership with the latest and the University’s KTP Manager. ‘There is certainly room for developments in all fields of research. Later this year, we will be growth of this type of funding at Cambridge and we would be launching an online version to accompany the print format. With pleased to help and advise academics and companies interested regular updates, searchable articles, links to related content, in these schemes.’ seminars and multimedia, we hope that Research Horizons online will provide a wide audience with a valuable resource. For more information on KTPs and KEEP, please contact For further information, please email Lisa Wears (email: [email protected]; [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)1223 765442).

NEWS FROM CAMBRIDGE ENTERPRISE LTD WILKINSON EYRE ARCHITECTS Good performance results, a re-launched website and plans for a new home: the foundations of a solid future for Cambridge Enterprise Ltd.

Cambridge Enterprise helps University of Cambridge inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs make their ideas and concepts more commercially successful. To help achieve its goals of building strong relationships with University academics and The Hauser Forum, designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, showing the being an attractive partner for industry and investors, the Centre for Entrepreneurship to the right company is in the midst of an exciting period of evolution and Building the future dynamic change. A new home for Cambridge Enterprise is planned at the University’s growing science and technology campus on the Performance metrics West Cambridge site. In January it was announced that an Cambridge Enterprise marked its first birthday as a limited £8 million gift to the University by the Hauser-Raspe company in December 2007. During its first year, 60 licences Foundation, on behalf of entrepreneur and business angel and 95 consultancy contracts were finalised, 118 new Hermann Hauser and his wife Pamela Raspe, would create the inventions disclosed, 44 UK or US priority patent applications Hauser Forum in West Cambridge. The Forum will comprise filed and the company assumed the management of a portfolio two landmark buildings, one of which – the Centre for of 72 companies in which it holds equity. The turnover from Entrepreneurship – will become the new home of Cambridge technology and knowledge transfer was £6 million, of which Enterprise. It is intended to create a focal point for the £5.3 million (88%) was returned to the University’s academics promotion of entrepreneurship, with offices, incubation spaces and departments. and a seminar centre. ‘This new building will provide a strong base for Cambridge Enterprise as it builds upon its success in Re-launch online commercialising the University’s research,’ said Professor A new-look Cambridge Enterprise website Ian Leslie, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research. (www.enterprise.cam.ac.uk) was launched in February, providing information to the University community and the For more information, please contact Cambridge commercial sector on the range of consultancy, technology Enterprise Ltd (email: [email protected]; transfer and seed fund services offered. Tel: +44 (0)1223 760330; www.enterprise.cam.ac.uk).

34 | Issue 6 | Summer 2008 RESEARCH SUPPORT

FORTHCOMING EVENTS: SAVE THE DATES! 5–6 June 2008 Horizon Seminar ‘China’ Buckingham House, New Hall, Cambridge As the global spotlight falls firmly on China in 2008, we showcase the diversity and richness of China-related research and expertise at the University of Cambridge. This Horizon conference will highlight themes of culture, religion, education, literature and language, alongside business, technology, economy and the environment. The conference is supported by Cambridge Network (www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk). For more information, please visit www.rsd.cam.ac.uk/events/horizon or email [email protected]

1 October 2008 Horizon Seminar ‘Single Component Biology is Past; Bioengineering has Begun’ Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge The huge influx of new ideas and principles being brought into biological research by mathematicians, physicists and engineers means we are no longer restricted to reductively studying biology. This Horizon Seminar will demonstrate how bioengineering exploits these new developments, providing technical solutions to current and emerging health and environmental concerns. For more information, please visit www.rsd.cam.ac.uk/events/horizon or email [email protected]

9 December 2008 1 April 2009 Horizon Seminar ‘Materials’ Horizon Seminar ‘Reproductive Health’ Further details to follow. Further details to follow.

Horizon Seminars are organised by Research Services Division.

14–17 September 2008 ‘Digital Resources for the Humanities and Arts (DRHA) 2008’ West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge Held annually at different academic venues throughout the UK, this year’s DRHA conference will be hosted by Cambridge with the theme ‘New Communities of Knowledge and Practice’. This interdisciplinary event will be of interest to those managing and using digital resources in teaching, research, performance and practice. For further information and to register, please visit www.rsd.cam.ac.uk/drha08 NIGEL LUCKHURST 22 October–2 November 2008 Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Festival: ‘Cambridge Festival of Ideas’ This new festival celebrates arts, humanities and social sciences at the University and its many partner organisations. Over 80 free events will be on offer to visitors of all ages. Activities include everything from Stone Age cooking to Viking culture. The full programme will be available from Summer 2008; to join the mailing list, please email Joanna McPhee ([email protected]).

Issue 6 | Summer 2008 | 35 THE BACK PAGE

Are there areas of research that you would like to see Your way into Cambridge covered in Research Horizons? We welcome suggestions, feedback and comments: please send Research Services Division (RSD) helps academics to identify, secure and ideas to the Editor at [email protected] manage research funding from external organisations.

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