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09 December 2004
MP turns researcher for a day as scientists and politicians enter each-others' worlds
As part of a national Royal Society scheme that teams leading research scientists with MPs, Sheffield Hallam MP Richard Allan visits the University of Sheffield tomorrow. He will meet up with his scientist "pair" Dr Rosie Staniforth, of the Department of Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology for some first hand experience of the advanced research she is involved in.
At 10am tomorrow, guided by Dr Staniforth, he will be helping to carry out an experiment that delves into the chemical basis of degenerative disorders. It is generally believed that there is a chemical process common to all such diseases, which include Mad Cow disease and Alzheimer's disease. The instrument Mr Allan and Dr Staniforth will be using is a state-of-the-art magnet which exploits the same technology as imaging techniques such as MRI to view parts of the body, but in this case resolves the structure of complex biological molecules.
The MP-Scientist Pairing Scheme is a Royal Society initiative that aims to build bridges between some of the best research workers in the country and members of the UK parliament. To date over 80 scientists and MPs have taken part. The scheme comprises three activities: a briefing by the Royal Society, a Week in Westminster, and reciprocal visits to the constituency office and the laboratory. One of its aims is to give MPs the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the process of scientific understanding and topical research and ultimately to be able to bring this knowledge into better informed discussions and decision-making.
Dr Staniforth has already visited Mr Allan in Westminster to learn more about his work and the day-to-day pressures that MPs face.
For further information please contact Jon Pyle on 0114 2221038 or email mediateam@sheffield.ac.uk.
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