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Have you or someone you love been affected by head

Have you or someone you love been affected by head and neck cancer and the associated side effects of radiotherapy? Join the ASCUS Team, artist Emily Fong and salivary gland regeneration researcher Dr Elaine Emmerson, for a hands-on workshop in ASCUS Lab in Edinburgh to learn about the research Dr Emmerson does and try your hand at some of scientific techniques used in her research and reflect on your own journey through creative activities.

More information in the link in bio.

🗓28th May 2022
🕙10am-1pm
📍ASCUS Lab, Edinburgh
🏷Booking essential, Free
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Also join us for a panel discussion between the extraordinary team that formed the G-lands Project inside and beyond the Centre for Regenerative Medicine.

🗓24th May 2022
🕙7pm-8pm
📍Anatomy Lecture Theatre| Summerhall | Edinburgh
🏷Drop in, Free

#headandneckcancer
#salivarygland #regeneration #radiotherapy #radiation #survivor #nhs #drymouth
@emilyfongstudio @edinuni_irr @sgcanceruk @miss_mouse_ @maggiescentreedinburgh

Bringing ASCUS' 2022 Edinburgh Science Festival pr

Bringing ASCUS' 2022 Edinburgh Science Festival programme to a close, we are delighted to share the launch of The Overlay exhibition at Inspace, by artist Inés Cámara Leret, part of The New Real Observatory #TNRO, an AI Arts initiative that we have been co-producing with The New Real, across the last 6 months!

This project sits at the heart of our interests showcasing the unique experiences and ways of seeing that can emerge when you make space for scientists and artists to co-create with technology.

Join our partners, The New Real Team, this weekend, for a special screening of The Overlay Exhibition film and a chat with the artist and technology team behind the project. Sign up at the link in our bio.

Preview Event
Day 1, Fri 22nd Apr
7-9pm

Drop-in Sessions
Day 2, 23rd Apr
10am/11am/12pm (30mins)

This is in partnership project with @edscifest @arselectronica Edinburgh College of Art at the @edinburghuniversity @edintfest Edinburgh International Book Festival @theturinginst
@inescamaraleret
@uoe_efi
@creativeinformatics
@schoolofinformatics

Edinburgh Science Festival launches in 2 days!🎉

Edinburgh Science Festival launches in 2 days!🎉

3 of 3: Black Box

Black Box is a curatorial cinema project, founded by artist, Louise Mackenzie and scientist, Kasia Pirog. For Edinburgh Science Festival, Black Box presents a 120 minute programme of 13 short films on the theme of KINSHIP. Focusing on the different forms of relation that begin with the body, from viral and cellular interactions to the familial relationships affected by genetic disease, these films allow us to contemplate the revolutions of life through our relationships to both human and non-human beings.

Learn about the inspiration behind the Black Box programme during a talk between co-founders Louise Mackenzie and Kasia Pirog and film-maker Jacqueline Donachie.
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Exhibition Details:
Launch: Friday 8th April 2022| 18:00 – 21:00| Summerhall Gallery Bar | Drop in
Opening times: Saturday 9th April 2022 – Thursday 9 June 2022|Wed – Sun| 12:00 – 18:00
Running time: 120 minutes | Individual film durations vary
View programme at the link in our bio
Where: 1, Summerhall, Newington, Edinburgh EH9 1PL | Corner Gallery
Tickets: Drop in | FREE, donations welcome
Audience: 12+
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Artist Talk Details:
When: Saturday 9th April 2022| 14:30 – 15:30
Where: 1, Summerhall, Newington, Edinburgh EH9 1PL | Anatomy Lecture Theatre
Tickets: Drop in | FREE, donations welcome
Audience: Ages 12+

Images courtesy of the film makers
Read more at the link in our bio.

@louisekmackenzie
Kasia Pirog
@edscifest
@summerhallery
@genetic_moo
@annemmilne
Erin Espelie
@ca3rine
Paul Goodfellow
Karen Kramer
Wellcome Trust
Claudia Sacher
Vicky Smith
#cinema #popup #revolutions #geneticdisease #inflammation #kinship

The Edinburgh Science Festival launches on Friday!

The Edinburgh Science Festival launches on Friday! 🎉

2 of 3: The Rooted Sea: Halophytic futures.

After the launch of the concept at the Driving the Human Festival in Berlin last year, artist Sonia Mehra Chawla is bringing her inquiry into the fragile and endangered coastal ecosystems and wetland habitats of India and Scotland to Scottish audiences. With immersive films and displays of microbial biodiversity, this project aims to build a stronger understanding of the role halophytic plants, microorganisms and carbon sinks play as part of the climate change story.

Join Sonia and the ASCUS Art & Science team for a talk where we discuss the process of the making of the project and film.
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Exhibition Details:
Launch: Friday 8th April 2022 | 18:00 – 21:00 | Summerhall Gallery Bar | Drop in
Opening times: Saturday 9th April 2022 – Thursday 9 June 2022| Wed – Sun | 12:00 – 18:00
Where: Summerhall | War Memorial and Sciennes Galleries
Tickets: Drop in | FREE, donations welcome
Audience: Ages 14+
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Artist Talk Details:
When: Saturday 16th April 2022| 13:00 – 14:00pm
Where: Online via Zoom
Sign Up: Check out the link in bio
Tickets: FREE, donations welcome, booking essential
Audience: Ages 14+
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More details at the link in our bio.
@soniamehrachawla
@ray_interactive
@edscifest
@drivingthehuman
@summerhallery
@summerhallcurated
#revolutions
#drivingthehuman #climatechange #coastalwetlands #biodiversity #revolutions

The Edinburgh Science Festival launches next week!

The Edinburgh Science Festival launches next week! We are so excited to see all the exhibitions part of 'Bioverse' coming to life at Summerhall in Edinburgh!🎉

1 of 3: G-lands: An out of body experience.

Through drawing and sculpture, experience artist Emily Fong's intimate observations of the journey taken by the salivary gland, from the time it is removed from a patient, through to the research taking place in the Emmerson Lab and everything in between; meeting with patients, surgeons, oncologists, pathologists and scientists, capturing different perspectives and making some very meaningful connections a long the way.

Join Emily during her artist talk for insight into the process of this unique residency alongside Dr Elaine Emmerson, whose research is developing regenerative strategies to restore salivary function for patients living with chronic dry mouth after treatment for head and neck cancer.
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Exhibition Details:
Launch: Friday 8th April 2022 | 18:00 – 21:00 | Summerhall Gallery Bar, Edinburgh | Drop in

Opening times: Saturday 9th April 2022 – Thursday 9 June 2022| Wed – Sun | 12:00 – 18:00

Where: 1, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL | Meadows Galleries

Tickets: Drop in | FREE, donations welcome

Audience: 14+
Guidance: Graphic Imagery|Head and Neck Cancer|Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)|Laboratory Research|Animal and Human Anatomy|Dissection|Surgery| Pathology|Radiotherapy
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Artist Talk Details:
When: Saturday 9th April 2022| 13:00 – 14:00
Where: 1, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL | Anatomy Lecture Theatre
Tickets: Drop in | FREE, donations welcome
Audience: 14+
---------
More details in the link in bio.
Images and illustrations by @emilyfongstudio.

@edinuni_irr
@summerhallery
@summerhallcurated
@edscifest

#salivaryglands #headandneckcancer #radiotherapy #revolutions #surgery #pathology #sculpture #drawings

Medical students and co-founders of @nexacath, @va

Medical students and co-founders of @nexacath, @valerie.cai and @sarwary_reza spent last week in ASCUS Lab to start the process of testing a prototype for antimicrobial catheters. It was a busy, fun, and at times frustrating week for them but they got an end result, and we wish them all the best for the next phase of their testing!

With Nexacath coming all the way from London to access our equipment, it has reinforced just how special and unique our lab space is. We would love to hear from you if you need lab access for your project!
📧lab@ascus.org.uk

Here it is! ASCUS at the 2022 Edinburgh Science Fe

Here it is! ASCUS at the 2022 Edinburgh Science Festival! 🎉
Our exhibition, Bioverse, consists of 3 fantastic exhibitions that explore and make visible the dynamic biological revolutions within our natural world. Works by artists Emily Fong and Sonia Mehra Chawla and films curated by artist Louise Mackenzie focus on interactions between microbes, humans and the biodiversity of our internal and external ecosystems.

Be sure to check out the links in our bio for more details and put the dates in your diaries!
Image 1: Bioverse
@summerhallery @edscifest

Image 2: G-lands: An Out of body experience
@emilyfongstudio @edinuni_irr

Image 3: The Rooted Sea: Halophytic Futures
@soniamehrachawla
@ray_interactive

Image 4: Black Box
@louisekmackenzie

#sciencefestival #headandneckcancer #salivarygland #coastalwetlands #climatechange #collaboration #revolutions #biodiversity #optimism

Using our microscopy sessions, artist Natalie Tayl

Using our microscopy sessions, artist Natalie Taylor has been exploring the microorganisms from different soils in and around Edinburgh for her project "Is soil alive?". Working with our lab manager, Natalie has been able to see larger critters like soil mites up close, to teeny tiny bacterial cells, all of which are incredibly vital for the health of our natural ecosystems 🔬

@natalietaylorartist
@northlightarts
#soilmicrobiology #biodiversity
#microscopy #microorganisms #artscience

The first public engagement workshop of the year h

The first public engagement workshop of the year hosted in #ascuslab was held last week! 🎉 It was a fantastic morning where people with lived experience of head and neck cancer, and the challenges that result due to salivary gland damage during radiotherapy, participated in some fun hands-on activities. These ranged from staining and looking at sections of a salivary gland under the microscope, extracting DNA from saliva, and doing a simple test to see the effectiveness of mouth wash in preventing unwanted oral infections🧫. We loved working with such a fantastic group of participants and our partners at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine (@edinuni_irr), salivary gland regeneration researcher, Dr Elaine Emmerson from the @edinburghuniversity and @emilyfongstudio .

#emmersonlab #ascuslab #headandneckcancer #radiotherapy #salivarygland #saliva #dnaextraction

If you followed us on social media last year, you

If you followed us on social media last year, you might have seen snippets of our #UnearthingMicrolife course posted during October and November. These 7 weeks of outdoor and indoor hybrid learning were jam-packed with so many different activities, trying to sum it up into a few words and images is impossible, but we tried our best in our blog post which you can read at the link in our bio. Be sure to get outdoors and check out our #UnearthingMicrolife pop-up exhibition in Holyrood Park, launching this afternoon, 17th January 2022 until 24 January 2022. Show us your pictures of you braving the winter and exploring the outdoors using the #UnearthingMicroLife hashtag and let us know which your favourite poster is!

#JohnMuirAward
@Edinburgh Montessori Arts School
@histenvscot

Goodbye 2021!👋 Can you believe that the year is

Goodbye 2021!👋
Can you believe that the year is nearly behind us? Us neither!

We have been reminiscing on 2021 and the challenges given to us that have brought out our resilience and determination to adapt to working at extremely reduced capacity, the ongoing lockdowns, and the uncertainty we faced throughout the year. None of our achievements this year would have been possible without the ongoing support from our ASCUS Community so a very big THANK YOU to you all!

You can read about all the projects we have been able to accomplish this year despite all these challenges at the link in our bio- Enjoy!

We look forward to 2022 and we already have some exciting new projects on the horizon which we can't wait to share with you in the new year. Until then, we wish you a very joyous festive season and a much needed break!
Images:
1. Driving the Human Festival exhibition. Image by @soniamehrachawla
2. Plant prints from our Unearthing Micro Life Programme
3. In the lab for hands-on work!
4. Beautiful microbes thriving.

#ASCUSLab #bringon2022 #artandscience #science #creative

We were finally able to host an in-person workshop

We were finally able to host an in-person workshop in October, aimed at couples interested in what goes on behind the scenes in fertility research labs on a daily basis. Participants had an afternoon in ASCUSLab full of new experiences including jewellery making to learn about the molecular structure of DNA, DNA extraction from strawberries to see what DNA looks like outside of a cell, looking at mouse and frog oocytes (egg cells), as well as yeast cells down the microscope, learning how to use scientific equipment, as well as great discussions about DNA, science, the challenges fertility researchers face in their work, and some of the challenges participants have experienced in their journey through fertility treatment. The workshop was led by fertility researchers, Gerard Pieper and Bettina Mihalas from @edinburghuniversity in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology and artist, @emilyfongstudio who captured the afternoon so beautifully through her illustrations. Read the full details on our blog (link in bio).

Images:
1. Participants in the lab extracting DNA from strawberries (Illustration by @emilyfongstudio )
2. Looking down the microscope at oocytes and yeast cells (Illustration by @emilyfongstudio )
3. A double-helix DNA earring made during the jewelry session

#ascuslab #fertilitytreatment #fertilityresearch #science #dna #jewellry #workshop

This past week was our final of #UnearthingMicroli

This past week was our final of #UnearthingMicrolife, but we still have more to share of our last two whirlwind sessions!

In our second last week we went to Hollyrood Park to cut down some gorse as our conservation effort for the John Muir Trust Discovery Award. Gorse can prove to be a problem for wild fires, so students lopped and sawed away to create fire breaks in order to qualm a fire if one were to take place.

Our final week was spent filming and documenting imagery from all the weeks of the programme. Students took a hands-on approach to creating their own videos, in order to share their experience of the program with Edinburgh Montessori Arts School's younger students.

Stay tuned for documentation of our culminating event in Holyrood Park, with a pop-up installation for students to share their discoveries and work with family, friends, and the public.

#UnearthingMicrolife is in collaboration with Historic Environment Scotland, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Montessori Arts School, artist Tina Scopa, and ASCUS Art & Science.

Yesterday marked day 5 of #UnearthingMicrolife, wh

Yesterday marked day 5 of #UnearthingMicrolife, which was packed with activities for Edinburgh Montessori Arts School students in our #ASCUSLab

Students spent the morning honing in and practicing their skills in plate-making (which they’ve been developing through out the lab sessions so far), through analysing the colonies growing on plates from previous weeks, and identifying colony morphology. We made Winogradksy Columns, a simple DIY tool used to create and culture a large diversity of microorganisms. We can’t wait to see what grows in the final weeks!

With two more weeks to go, students are considering ways to present the work and ideas explored through out the programme, for others to understand and enjoy. Stay tuned for documentation of our culminating event after day 7, where students will share their discoveries and work with family and friends.

Students are pursuing the Discovery Level @johnmuirtrust Award through this programme, and are determined on discovering, exploring, conserving and sharing along the way.

#UnearthingMicrolife is in collaboration with @histenvscot , @edinburghuniversity, Edinburgh Montessori Arts School, artist Tina Scopa, and @ascusartandscience

#ascuslab #outdooreducation #johnmuirdiscoveryaward #artandecology #artandenvironment #artandscience #arteducation #artandtechnology #nature #scotlandart #outdoorart

We’re excited to share our project ‘The Rooted

We’re excited to share our project ‘The Rooted Sea’ with more audiences @radialsystem_berlin this weekend as part of #drivingthehuman Festival. Participate in this project by responding to one of our questions via our Instagram story!

Read more about this project on our website (link in bio)!

@soniamehrachawla
@ray_interactive
@drivingthehuman

#therootedsea #ascuslab #drivingthehuman #artandecology #artandenvironment #artandscience #artandtechnology #nonhumans #nature #artintheanthropocene

The install is coming to a close as we get ready t

The install is coming to a close as we get ready to launch ‘The Rooted Sea: Halophytic Futures’ as part of #drivingthehuman @radialsystem across this weekend. If you are in Berlin, come see us, and look out for activity online over the coming days #TheRootedSea

Read more about this project on our website (link in bio)!

@soniamehrachawla
@ray_interactive
@drivingthehuman

#ascuslab #drivingthehuman #artandecology #artandenvironment #artandscience #artandtechnology #nonhumans #nature #artintheanthropocene

2020 and 2021 have presented significant challenge

2020 and 2021 have presented significant challenges for ASCUS. Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to envision new ways of working with and supporting interdisciplinary communities and ideas.

Your support is vital and we would not be here without it!

Despite our best efforts to maintain ASCUS as the thriving hub of art and science hybrid research in the UK that we want it to be, our core business has been fundamentally destabilised by COVID and we need your help to continue to support the work that we do on a day-to-day basis.

As we look to the future, we want to share with you our new approach to funding. By becoming a supporting member of ASCUS you can help to ensure that we can continue to do what we do best – bringing art and science together and sharing it with the wider public. We have some incredible projects ahead and your financial support is vital to ensure that we can continue to support the amazing artists and scientists working with us.

Please consider supporting us by making a monthly donation via the Paypal link on our website (one-off donations are also appreciated). Links available in our bio!

Our #UnearthingMicrolife 7-week Programme is going

Our #UnearthingMicrolife 7-week Programme is going swimmingly so far!

We just finished Day 4, and have enjoyed some unforgettable moments exploring the natural world, and it's artistic and scientific applications with students.

Day 3 had us indoors for a full morning in the #ASCUSLab, analysing samples collected at Hunter's Bog in Holyrood Park. We learned how to make agar plates, analyse samples, and use the microscopes and equipment available in the lab, to find new ways of seeing. A particular favourite among students were the bullrush samples!

Day 4, we explored the Wells O'Wearie in Holyrood Park. We learned about symbiotic ecosystems while playing a game of predator and prey. We had an impromptu lesson on stinging nettles - and even gave them a taste!

But most of our day was spent exploring the water of the pond, discovering what lurks beneath the surface in terms of critters, and deciphering the water quality with opalometers and ph sticks. We also explored the artistic side of this thriving environment, creating plant prints and soil paintings while considerately choosing materials from our surroundings.

We wish this programme could go on forever, but we have 3 sessions left, with week 7 culminating in a sharing event where students will present their discoveries - stay tuned!

Students are pursuing the Discovery Level @johnmuirtrust Award through this programme, and are determined to discover, explore, conserve and share along the way.

#UnearthingMicrolife is in collaboration with @histenvscot, @edinburghuniversity, Edinburgh Montessori Art School, artist Tina Scopa, and ASCUS Art & Science.

Special thanks to @hwengage for the smartphone microscopes!

#ascuslab #outdooreducation #johnmuirdiscoveryaward #artandecology #artandenvironment #artandscience #arteducation #artandtechnology #nature #scotlandart #outdoorart

Excited to be in Berlin for day 1 of the install o

Excited to be in Berlin for day 1 of the install of ‘The Rooted Sea: Halophytic Futures’ as part of Driving the Human festival which kicks off this weekend at @radialsystem_berlin

Read more about this project on our website (link in bio)!

@soniamehrachawla
@ray_interactive
@drivingthehuman

#ascuslab #drivingthehuman #artandecology #artandenvironment #artandscience #artandtechnology #nonhumans #nature #artintheanthropocene

Less than 2 weeks to go until we’re in Berlin to

Less than 2 weeks to go until we’re in Berlin to present our work for @drivingthehuman!

#Repost @soniamehrachawla
・・・
Creative visualizations of my project for Driving the Human bring more-than-human worlds into focus.
It's a super exciting time as we gear up to bring an exciting India/UK collaboration to Driving the Human, opening on 15th October @radialsystem_berlin.

See you in Berlin for the launch of our project!

image: Wetlands/Blackness Castle, SSSI site (site of special scientific interest, Scotland)

@ascusartandscience @ray_interactive

We thank the partners: @drivingthehuman @zkmkarlsruhe @forecast_platform @hfg_karlsruhe @aca_post

#artandecology #artandscience #artandtechnology #drivingthehuman #zkmkarlsruhe #artintheanthropocene #sustainablefutures #sustainability #radialsystem #soniamehrachawla Berlin for @drivingthehuman! 👀

#Repost @soniamehrachawla
・・・
Creative visualizations of my project for Driving the Human bring more-than-human worlds into focus.
It's a super exciting time as we gear up to bring an exciting India/UK collaboration to Driving the Human, opening on 15th October @radialsystem_berlin.

See you in Berlin for the launch of our project!

image: Wetlands/Blackness Castle, SSSI site (site of special scientific interest, Scotland)

@ascusartandscience @ray_interactive

We thank the partners: @drivingthehuman @zkmkarlsruhe @forecast_platform @hfg_karlsruhe @aca_post

#artandecology #artandscience #artandtechnology #drivingthehuman #zkmkarlsruhe #artintheanthropocene #sustainablefutures #sustainability #radialsystem #soniamehrachawla

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EMERGING FROM LOCKDOWN

September 2020

At ASCUS we have resumed our membership programme and are adopting the Scottish Government guidelines as we endeavour to get our organisation and it’s programmes back on track, as and when it is safe to do so. We are in conversation with our community and partners and we are working together to explore different ways to adapt our work to the current circumstances.
Thank you for your support and patience

Read our full statement here >

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