Plant Sciences raises £444 for MacMillan Cancer Support

MacMillan Cancer Support – Fundraiser 2009 – Crafts & Coffee morning

This year an event was held on Friday 22nd May which not only satisfied the stomach, (yes, cakes again!!), but it enabled us to appreciate the talents of some of our fellow workers, who display their wares (individually made cards, jewellery, pictures etc.)

Thanks to all who supported the Coffee and Craft morning which raised £444 for MacMillan Cancer Support. Particular thanks should go to the cake/preserve makers for their carborific delights - and Sue Green and Barbara Landamore for spending hours of their free time making cards, and donating ALL the proceeds of their sales to the fund.

I'm sure everyone that went to the Teaching Lab. were impressed by the fantastic artwork/craftwork produced, not only by Sue and Barbara, but also the ladies from Physiology and Anatomy. All of the stands looked so inviting and they all complemented each other so well.

Personnel Announcements

The Department is pleased to announce the promotion of Dr Jim Haseloff to Reader from 1 October 2009.

Dr Nik Cunniffe is re-appointed as a Temporary lecturer for 4 years from 1 October 2009.

A new course on stream environment for 8-10 year olds

Stream Seekers (a Cam Valley Forum Activity)

Enjoy watching water flowing by?
Wondered where it starts and stops?
Why is it clean or dirty?
Why one stream differs from another?
Why do different plants live there, or here?
Where are streams?

Four, two hour courses, each for five to eight children running in June, July, August and September.

Leader: Dr S.M. Haslam, international expert on rivers and long-time Brownie Guide.

Address: Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA. Tel: 01223 356873

Also:
Join Streamseekers! Helper(s) wanted, preferably to work with the course, but someone enjoying reading under a shady tree also welcome!

Getting a grip: ‘Velcro’-like structure helps bees stick to flowers

A paper by Heather M. Whitney, Lars Chittka, Toby J.A. Bruce and Beverley J. Glover in Current Biology shows that bumblebees can recognise the texture of petal surfaces by touch alone. More importantly, they choose to land on petals with conical cells that make it easier to grip, rather than on flat, smooth surfaces.

Read the press release at University of Cambridge, or the article at Current Biology.