Around 100 researchers, People with Parkinson’s (PwP), and carers came together in the School of Life Sciences on 28th February 2025 to connect and discuss the latest Parkinson’s research.
The hugely successful Open Doors Day event was organised by the Dundee Research Interest Group (DRIG) and our School of Life Sciences, with support from Parkinson’s UK.
“The positivity, energy and knowledge sharing on the day was truly impressive, not to mention the collaboration between organisations. The University of Dundee, and others, are doing some truly impressive things for us folks with Parky. We learned so much and made so many connections, it was truly inspiring."
Mark & Karen, event attendees
Research, trials and a Parkinson’s celebrity
A morning of talks highlighted Parkinson’s research and trials happening in Dundee and Belgium, as well as the advocacy and policy-related activities of the Movers and Shakers podcast:
- Prof Dario Alessi (Director of the MRC PPU) and Dr Esther Sammler (Clinical Programme Leader, Consultant neurologist): The LITE study
- Visiting speaker - Prof Peter Vangheluwe (Leuven Brain Institute, Belgium): Targeting polyamines and polyamine transport in Parkinson’s and beyond
- Dr Tom Gilbertson: 'Focused ultrasound in Parkinson’s disease'
- Prof Ian Ganley – 'Mitochondria'
- Jacqueline Kerr and Tiffany Stewart (Scottish Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network): Trial Participation
- Visiting speaker and Parkinson’s ‘celebrity’ - Gillian Lacey-Solymar (Movers and Shakers podcast): a brief story of an accidental success
Lots of great questions followed the talks, with discussions overflowing into the refreshment and lunch breaks.
A DRIG Member was partnered with each speaker to write and share a lay summary of each talk as part of an event report we’re sharing more widely.
“It was great to see and know there is so much research being done to find solutions to help people with this disease. Thank you.”
Attendee feedback
Lab and facility tours
In the afternoon, attendees visited one of five different research laboratories and facilities across the School of Life Sciences:
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU), led by Prof Dario Alessi
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, led by Dr Will Farnaby
- Autophagy and Parkinson’s Disease Tour of the Dundee Imaging Facility (DIF), led by Prof Ian Ganley
- Mitochondria and Parkinson’s Disease, led by Prof Miratul Muqit
- Tour of the National Phenotypic Screening Centre (NPSC), led by Dr Esther Sammler
“Everything was interesting and loved seeing ‘live’ cells.”
Attendee feedback
Connecting through poetry
The relaxed, social atmosphere of the refreshment breaks enabled everyone to connect and share their experiences of Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s research throughout the busy day.
These connections were enhanced by the artistic talent of two participants – Mark Coxe (Chair of the Fife Parkinson’s UK Group and DRIG Member) and Gillian Lacey-Solymar (Movers and Shakers Podcast).
Mark welcomed Gillian to speak at the event in verse and later recited a poem called “Open the Door Dario” to thank Prof Dario Alessi and all the “dedicated scientists” in Dundee.
Gillian recorded the day in verse before we all went home, then finished by reciting a moving poem she has written in tribute to PwP’s partners.
The link to all of the wonderful poems shared on the day are included in our event report.
Sharing our learnings from the day
We’ve collated photos, lay summaries of the talks, highlights from the day and other useful resources in our event report.
“The DRIG is going from strength to strength, making a fantastic impact. It was wonderful to see so many new faces at the event. I really enjoyed the discussions, and our students and researchers were thrilled to have the opportunity to interact with so many people living with Parkinson’s. Well done to all involved for organizing such an outstanding event.”
Prof Dario Alessi, Director of the MRC PPU
“To make this day possible required people to work both in front and behind the
scenes. We would like to offer a big thanks to the University of Dundee (School of
Life Sciences) research staff, all the speakers and the young scientists who
enthusiastically guided us around their laboratories, and in particular the
indefatigable Dr Andy Howden and Dr Esther Sammler. We also offer our gratitude to
Prof Dario Alessi, without whom a day like this would not have been possible. We
strongly acknowledge the excellent support we received from Liz Nash (Parkinson’s
UK) who carried the bulk of the admin for the full event, and thanks to Parkinson’s
UK for the refreshments throughout the day. We have very much appreciated this
support without which the event could not have taken place.”
Brendan Hawdon, DRIG Chair