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Giant Molecules at the Botanics Molecules just got bigger: 10 billion times bigger, at Molecules Matter, a striking new exhibition staged throughout the Glasshouse range at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Now, members of the public can discover for themselves some of the vital molecules in plants and find out more, in a fun and informative way, about how man has put them to use. Running through each of the Glasshouse zones, Molecules Matter places massive molecular sculptures next to the plants from which the molecules come. See the Caffeine in the Coffee, the Vitamin C in the fruit and the DNA in us all. Discover the molecular primordial soup from which we all originate, how the Jojoba bush saved the whale, how the star anise will save us in a Flu epidemic and much, much, more. The creator of the exhibition, Dr Graeme Jones, is a science entertainer who is spending one year as a NESTA Dreamtime Fellow putting molecules where we least expect to find them: “I love molecules, and making molecular sculptures is a wonderful way of showing people the complex architecture of our molecular world,” he commented. “Don’t come along for a science lesson - just enjoy these majestic structures. “It is estimated that there are 250,000 species of plant on this earth and we only know some of the molecules in 15 per cent of them. That is why the conservation work of organisation such as the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is so important. Without plants there would be no contraceptive pill and hardly any anticancer drugs.” RBGE Curator David Mitchell added: “Our work is all about exploring and explaining the world of plants. Molecules Matter takes this interpretation to the next level, showing the molecules behind the plants. It is hard not to be inspired by the massive DNA model at the start of the exhibition and be blown away by the fact that every plant in the garden has its own unique genetic make-up.” ENDS Molecules Matter is sponsored by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, EPSRC, Partnership for Public Engagement Programme. Admission to the Temperate Palm House is free, normal charges apply from the rest of the exhibition. Group tours up to 15 by arrangement with Dr Graeme Jones. Notes to editors • EPSRC The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK Government's leading funding agency for research and training in engineering and the physical sciences. • NESTA The National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts aims to be the strongest single catalyst for innovation in the UK. In everything we do, we are seeking to increase the UK’s capacity to fulfil its vast innovative potential. Through a range of pioneering programmes, we invest at every stage of the innovation process; providing early stage seed capital for promising ideas for new products and services; investing in UK talent to ensure it stays in the UK; and experimenting with new ways of engaging the public in science, technology and the creative industries. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a Non Departmental Public Body established under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, principally funded by the Scottish Executive. It is also a registered charity, managed by a Board of Trustees who are appointed by Ministers. Its mission is to “explore and explain the world of plants” and its primary functions are as a centre of scientific and horticultural excellence, keeper of the national collections and promoter of science in the public domain. The four Gardens of RBGE - Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan - comprise the National Botanic Gardens of Scotland and are numbered among the most popular visitor attractions in Scotland. For more information, please call Dr Graeme Jones on 07816 210239 Dr Graeme R. Jones NESTA Dreamtime Fellow, Sexy Science Inc 78 Castleton Road, Hope Hope Valley, S33 6RD Senior Lecturer,Chemical Ecology Group Lennard-Jones Laboratories, Keele University Staffordshire,ST5 5BG Mob 07816 210239 Tel 44 (0)1782 584173 Fax 44 (0)1782 712378 e-mail [log in to unmask] http://www.nesta.org.uk/ourawardees/profiles/4989/index.html http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/ch/chemhome.html ********************************************************************** 1. To suspend yourself from the list, whilst on leave, for example, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the following message: set psci-com nomail 2. To resume email from the list, send the following message: set psci-com mail 3. To leave psci-com, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the message: leave psci-com 4. Further information about the psci-com discussion list, including list archive, can be found at the list web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/psci-com.html 5. The psci-com gateway to internet resources on science communication and science and society can be found at http://psci-com.org.uk **********************************************************************