JULY 2015 • ISSUE 13
ISSN 2306-0735
I D E A S
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R E S E A RC H
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P E O P L E
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U N I V E R S I TY
DIGITAL
EDITION
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EDITORIAL
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MALTA: RED, WHITE, AND
BLUE?
M
alta has a love affair with the British. The George Cross is proudly displayed
on the national flag, government invited Prince William to celebrate 50
years of Malta’s independence from the British Empire, and if England were
To communicate with us and
follow the latest in research news
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to win the World Cup the street parties would last for days. Our cover story (pg. 48)
looks into the background behind this relationship.
The flipside of this bond has been a strange dislike of the French. The story goes
that back in 1798 Napoleon invaded Malta and stole its riches—a history influenced
by the Church and British colonisers who had separate but overlapping agendas. Our
To view our latest videos
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cover story focuses on Dr Charles Xuereb’s research, which tries to uncover what has
blocked Malta’s memory of the French and what can be done to change this oftennegative view.
The issue is packed with other features. Dr Maria Galea tells us about Maltese
Sign Language (pg. 42). Her research helped bring a logical framework to the
written form of the language, which can help around 400 deaf people in Malta.
Cassi Camilleri met an international team of researchers looking inside the human
To read all our
printed magazines online
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body using MRI to figure out how it ticks (pg. 26). Anne Marie Dimech writes
about Dr Gabrielle Zammit’s work on bacteria that took her from the cliffs of
Dwejra, Gozo to Malta’s ancient underground catacombs (pg. 20).
The broad range of stories reflects the diversity of research at University. But
at THINK we felt we had to go further. Apart from stories from student articles
(pg. 17-19), features, reviews (pg. 56-61), and opinion pieces (pg. 12-16), we are
introducing Toolkit (pg. 4) that highlights University’s best equipment, Design (pg. 10)
For easy access from the
University of Malta Library
www.um.edu.mt/library/oar
that features creative projects, and Without borders (pg. 8-11) that sees different
disciplines come together to create something new—all this and more in the latest
CONTRIBUTE
issue of THINK magazine.
Edward Duca
EDITOR
edward.duca@um.edu.mt
@DwardD
Are you a student, staff, or
researcher at the University of
Malta? Would you like to contribute
to THINK magazine? If interested,
please get in touch to discuss your
article on think@um.edu.mt
or call +356 2340 3451
1
COVER STORY
CONTENTS
I S S U E 1 3 � J U LY 2 0 1 5
TOOLKIT
The Olympus Flouview FV1000-MPE
4
WITHOUT BORDERS
Racing Dreams
6
Fusing Philosophy and Performance
8
6
DESIGN
Mecon
10
Malta: Stockholm Syndrome
(or why we love the British)
The cover is a social commentary on Malta's
distorted collective memory. The Sette Giugno
monument, previously placed in St George's
Square and currently situated in Hastings Garden,
Valletta is one of the few monuments which
symbolises Maltese revolt. The photograph shows
the monument's reverse side—a side usually
forgotten, much like the monument and what it
represents. Photography and image composite by
Jean Claude Vancell.
OPINION
Universities, Monopolies, and Public Goods
12
Final Frontier: Our brain
14
Students: on Research and Funds
16
48
CONTRIBUTORS
OPINION ARTICLES
Prof. Giuseppe Di Giovanni
Prof. Peter Mayo
KSU
STUDENT ARTICLES
Maria Cardona
Kristina Farrugia
Carmen Sanchez Garcia
FEATURE ARTICLES
Anne Marie Dimech
Dr Gabrielle Zammit
Cassi Camilleri
Dr Sonia Waiczies Chetcuti
Dr Helmar Waiczies
Prof. Kenneth Camilleri
Claire Testa
Prof. Joseph N. Grima
Dr Ruben Gatt
Dr Daphne Attard
Luke Mizzi
Antoine Gatt
Dr Maria Galea
FUN ARTICLES
Ryan Abela
Krista Bonello Rutter Giappone
David Chircop
Dr James Corby
Dr Jurgen Gatt
Alexander Hili
Costantino Oliva
Noel Tanti
COMIC STRIP
Dr Ġorġ Mallia
PHOTOGRAPHY
Dr Edward Duca
Jean Claude Vancell
Elisa von Brockdorff
ILLUSTRATIONS
Sonya Hallett
WEBSITE
Dr Edward Duca
Alexander Hili
Jean Claude Vancell
THINK is a quarterly research magazine published by the Communications & Alumni Relations Office at the University of Malta
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in touch by email on think@um.edu.mt Advertising rates are available on www.um.edu.mt/think/advertise
2
12
17
STUDENTS
Cleaning Contaminated Land with Plants
17
Colour Chemistry in Water
18
Chemistry for Medicine
19
20
FEATURE
FEATURE
Science... Bacteria... Art...
Seeing the Unseeable
The diverse work of Dr Gabrielle Zammit,
from saving shrubs to studying bacteria
on art for new medicines
Studying the brain with some new
advances, plus a vision for Malta
26
FEATURE
Connect the Dots
36
Finding new tricks for old materials
32
42
FEATURE
Green Roof Malta
FEATURE
Transforming urban areas into
green areas to make Malta green
once again
Writing Maltese
Sign Language
Research that can empower the
approximately 400 deaf people on the
Islands
58
FUN
Reviews (Books, Film, Tech, Games)
100 Word Idea: Elective Student Stipends
59
Does the Kraken Exist?
59
THINK
I D E A S
•
M A LTA
•
R E S E A RC H
•
56-61
P E O P L E
•
U N I V E R S I TY
JULY 2015 - ISSUE 13
EDITORIAL
Edward Duca EDITOR
62
RESEARCH
Research, Teeth and
the Community
ISSN 2306-0735
Copyright © University of Malta, 2015
The right of the University of Malta to be identified as Publisher of this work has been asserted in accordance
with the Copyright Act, 2001.
University of Malta, Msida, Malta
Tel: (356) 2340 2340
Fax: (356) 2340 2342
www.um.edu.mt
All rights reserved. Except for the quotation of short passages for the purpose of research and review, no part
of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Jean Claude Vancell
The publisher has used its best endeavours to ensure that the URLs for external websites referred to in this
magazine are correct and active at the time of going to press. However the publisher has no responsibility for the
websites and can make no guarantee that a site will remain live or that the content is or will remain appropriate.
COPYEDITING
Every effort has been made to trace all copyright holders, but if any have been inadvertently overlooked, the
publishers will be pleased to include any necessary credits in any subsequent issues.
DESIGN
Patricia Camilleri, Daphne Pia Deguara
PRINTING
Gutenberg Press, Malta
3
TOOLKIT
The Olympus Fluoview FV1000-MPE
using ultrashort pulsed IR laser
Toolkit
QUICK SPECS
4
• Peak power at 800nm: 312.5kW
• Pulse width: < 100fs
• Average power at 800nm: > 2.5W
• Tuning range: 710-1040nm
• Pulse repetition: 80MHz
• Cost: €0.82 Million
Of Mice and Microscopes
At the University the instrument is used by
paved the road for the most significant advance in bio-
six scientists on a daily basis with two foreign
imaging. This year, four scientists (Winfried Denk, Arthur
collaborators in fields which include the evolution
Konnerth, Karel Svoboda, and David Tank) were awarded
of stroke, brain-blood flow dynamics, neurovascular
the prestigious Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research
coupling, epilepsy, potassium channel physiology, and
prize for its invention and development. The method
white matter injury.
has transformed brain research since it allows real-time
The microscope can aquire images through four
examination of the brain’s finest structures. It is powerfully
simultaneous color channels at 30 frames per second.
used to investigate stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, migraine,
During imaging of small anaesthesized animals, the
and epilepsy.
microscope is equipped for monitoring vital signs.
The University of Malta’s microscope combines
The instrument is housed in a temperature of
ultrashort-pulsed infrared laser to excite fluorescent
22°C and <30% humidity controlled environment
molecules up to a depth of 1mm in the rodent brain.
adjacent to a surgical preparation suite and imaging
The technique allows flexible detection of the brain’s
workstation. Two-photon microendoscopy has
geometries and can look 5–20 times deeper than other
started to find clinical applications in cancer. There
types of fluorescent microscopes. The customised setup
are ongoing developments to image deeper brain
can perform live imaging to create 3D brain images.
structures.
Toolkit
I
n the last 25 years, two-photon excitation microscopy
5
WITHOUT
BORDERS
Car Stats 2014
ACCELERATION
COST
WEIGHT
TEAM
Without Borders
0-75m 3.95s € €15,500
6
295kg
28 students
from 5 faculties
The UoMR team
Racing Dreams
T
he University of Malta Racing (UoMR) team designs, builds, and races a Formula Style racing car in a
Formula Student competition every year. Last September (2014) they competed in Parma (Italy)with
their first car. Building this car brought together students from five different faculties with engineering
knowledge, costing, marketing, and business proposals for the judges. UoMR is run like a small vehicle
manufacturing company.
The team is currently working on its second car for Parma 2015. Improvements are being made on weight,
speed, and design, bringing a faster and better car.
Sponsored by the University of Malta and its Research Trust (RIDT), as well as the Ministry for Education
and Employment, Transport Malta, PwC Malta, SKF, Tek Moulds, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, Playmobil
Mould Shop Malta, Continental Cars, Adpro-Instruments, the Farsons Foundation and Alarm Tech.
The design for the 2015 UoMR car
5th
Cost Report
23rd
Presentation
6th
Acceleration
27th
Skidpad
20th
Design
28th
Autocross
22nd
Endurance & Efficiency
Overall 23rd from 55 combustion engines
[80 total number of competitors]
Without Borders
Formula SAE Results, Parma 2014
7
Dr Laura Cull, Dr Stefan Aquilina, Dr Mario Frendo and Dr James Corby during the School of Performing Arts
Conference 2015. (Photo by Rene Rossignaud)
Fusing philosophy
and performance
I
nterdisciplinary research and
practices blur boundaries. While
Dr Laura Cull’s (University of Surrey)
keynote speech on Performance
the premodern approach to research
Philosophy at the conference discussed
distils areas into fine categories
this emerging discipline which ‘involves
and certainties, interdisciplinary
staging an “equality of thought”
ideas spread across different
wherein theories and practices
fields. Performance is charged with
originating in the interdisciplinary
interdisciplinarity.
subject of Performance can encounter
The University of Malta’s School
those originating in Philosophy on an
of Performing Arts conducts
equal plane’. Cull thinks that philosophy
interdisciplinary research that
can ‘turn to performance—as a rich
connects the performing arts with
source of techniques for embodying an
various disciplines in the Sciences
unknowing openness to others, to the
and Humanities. This year’s school
outside: whether as a relation to one’s
annual conference focused on this,
own bodily gestures, to the foreign
in particular on eight overlapping
movements of another body—human,
performance categories: everyday life,
[and] non-human’. It encompasses
the arts, sports, business, technology,
intermedial, intrapersonal, and
sex, ritual, and play. The performing
interspecies collaboration and extends
arts can endlessly combine these
to recent forms of performance that
groupings in ways that range from
traverse theatre, music, and dance.
theatre, dance, and music, drawing
The conference papers show the
material from—but also impinging
breadth of discussion on performance
upon—everyday life, to training in
interdisciplinarity: from architecture to
performance and in sports. These
cognitive behavioural therapy.
8
efficiency with business, besides
For more information visit
witnessing an increasing use of
www.um.edu.mt/performingarts or
technological innovation.
contact performingarts@um.edu.mt
Photo by Darrin Zammit Lupi
Without Borders
arts share the drive for efficacy and
WITHOUT
Without Borders
BORDERS
9
DESIGN
Assembling a scale prototype of the mecon (above and right).
Design
A rendering of the full scale mecon module as will be exhibited at IASS2015.
10
Mecon
M
econ is an ongoing research project for the
2015 edition of the IASS EXPO, themed
Future Visions which is to be held in Amsterdam
between June and August 2015. The project
is to design and build a structurally innovative,
deployable pavilion in a bid to celebrate Future
Visions in the field of engineering design and
innovation. Mecon is the solution created by a
team of five recently graduated architects.
Mecon is a deployable structure which
transforms from a cube into a truncated
octahedron (mecon is a term coined by
Buckminster Fuller). The change in geometry
increases its volume thrice which opens a host of
new applications.
Each cube is only capable of transforming into the
mecon if its edges are equal in length and follow a
specific path dictated by the unique joints the team
designed. The transformation is simple, and the joints
can be scaled to produce a mecon of any size, but for
the EXPO the team had to abide by strict weight, size,
and transportation restrictions.
Mecon has only been possible thanks to the
support of Prof. Alex Torpiano and Prof. Dion Buhagiar
(Faculty for the Built Environment), and Prof. Joseph
Grima and the Auxetics Research Group (Faculty
of Science, University of Malta), and Lee Bullock
from Proto+. After the expo, the pavilion will be
reassembled in Malta.
If interested in exhibiting this structure, please
contact team@mecon.space
and like the Facebook page
www.facebook.com/mecon.space
Design
The Mecon pavilion, consisting of three modules, will be suspended at
the Muziekgebouw in Ambsterdam (above and top).
11
Universities,
Monopolies, and
Public Goods
Prof. Peter Mayo
T
The proposed setting up of a new private
can be no teaching, certainly within higher
American university in Southern Malta raises
education, without research. This belief is not
issues concerning the environment, transparency,
shared by those, including influential EU people
and its impact on the Maltese Higher Education
like former Commissioner Jan Figel, who argue
scenario. It also rekindles debates on the
that Europe should follow the US model of having
feasibility of a second university in such a small
a different tier league separating research and
country, questioning whether it is a good thing
teaching universities.
to challenge the University of Malta’s traditional
‘monopoly’ in higher education.
The University of Malta’s ‘monopoly’ in the
combine research and teaching roles. My
We have witnessed the emergence of other
impression is that these agencies are mainly
degree awarding institutions (such as MCAST).
teaching institutions that coach students to pass
Globalisation’s intensification, through advances
exams set by others.
The University of Malta itself also still needs
for fee paying students from a wide market to
to show that it is really combining these roles in
acquire qualifications. These are often supported
all faculties and departments. While University
by scholarships. The market is also bolstered by
has had teaching audits there have been little
the emergence of so called ‘franchise agencies’,
research audits to date, though I hope the
which prepare students for degrees granted
country will be spared the ‘excesses’ of some
by foreign universities. In addition, Middlesex
other countries’ systems (see the literature
University (UK) has a Malta campus.
critical of the UK’s REF audit system).
Units in ministries—such as the Ministry of
Opinion
still need to demonstrate whether they will
awarding of degrees has long been challenged.
in information technology, allows online learning
12
The franchise agencies that have emerged
within the Maltese Higher Education scenario
I have always been in favour of education as a
Education and Employment—are challenging the
public rather than a consumption good. On the
monopoly in research with their own complement
other hand, I have long dreamt of another public
of doctoral graduates. So the term monopoly can
university situated in Southern Malta that,
only be arguably justified when referring to the
while attracting foreign fee paying students at
University of Malta as an institution combining
a reasonable rate (way below the astronomical
both research and teaching. I believe that there
£9,000 per year charged by English universities)
would also generate an economic and cultural
unfair on the Maltese taxpayer. Foreign students
spin-off in specific areas, such as Cottonera.
should, however, be charged moderately not
My ideal choice for this has always been Bighi,
astronomically. The pool of potential students
although now this would be difficult to achieve.
needs to be broadened and not confined to
Think what a good use of an already impressive
Maltese students since, in the latter case, a
building (no need to build a new campus and
second public university would not make sense
claim more of our limited land) can do for the
given the small size of the island, its population,
regeneration of the Cottonera and other areas
and the extra costs involved. Duplication comes
in the South that have the lowest number of
at a considerable expense in a small state with a
university graduates. And the campus can be
small population.
Several public European universities charge
City, since there has been little take-up by the
moderate fees. I would like to see Malta
envisaged companies in this intended ICT haven.
adopt this kind of model, which enhances the
A new university would have to be a public
international dimension in higher education with
Maltese institution. I would not like to see any
spin-offs for the surrounding communities that
precious historical and other public resources
can enhance their cultural milieu. And this model
ceded to a private corporate entity. It is also
retains the idea of higher education as a public
important that a proposed second public
good, something which I believe the University
university would not duplicate but complement
of Malta and MCAST are already doing, certainly
MCAST and the University of Malta. To be
when compared to trends witnessed in North
economically viable, a second public university
America and many European countries. It
must be characterised by a strong international
would be an institution that responds to social,
drive that would allow foreigners to be charged
economic, and democratic needs, including
at moderate rates. This international drive would
regional regeneration needs, and not simply
become a key source of revenue.
corporate greed. This approach should also create
Another suggestion is that the stipend for
good quality jobs (not those created by increasing
Maltese students should be topped up as fees
bureaucratisation) while generating cultural
to be paid back, otherwise foreign EU-based
and social renewal in the surrounding area with
students cannot be charged and that would be
potentially long term positive effects.
Opinion
extended to include the area built as Smart
13
Final Frontier: Our Brain
Prof. Giuseppe Di Giovanni
Coordinator of the new Malta Neuroscience Network
T
The human brain is the most complex organ in
those scientists and clinicians whose shared
the known universe. This complexity makes it
vision is to solve these issues in the 21st century.
the last and hardest frontier in medical research.
neuroscience. Now we have a much deeper
lives of millions of people of all ages suffering from
understanding of the brain’s complexity that has
neurological and psychological conditions, lesions
greatly improved human health. Over the last
and addictions. Brain diseases can affect anyone.
few years, we have made important discoveries
One in three Maltese people and about one
behind human consciousness, the discovery
of condition or disease at some point in their
of mirror neurons, and we have created
lives. Examples like autism, multiple sclerosis,
technologies which allow brains and computers
depression, and dementia are brain disorders
to communicate. We have also increased our
that represent the most important challenge
understanding about the genetic basis behind
to public health in the 21st century. We need
diseases like autism, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s
to develop new ways to cure these conditions
and Alzheimer’s disease.
To find the reasons behind brain disorders
Opinion
like a better understanding of the mechanisms
billion people worldwide suffer from some form
rather than simply treat them.
14
We are currently in a golden age of
Unraveling the brain’s secrets could change the
These advances are promising, but further
steps need funds that allow researchers to
needs the collaboration of many different
translate these findings into treatments. Basic
scientific disciplines and clinicians. Researchers
researchers need to work with clinicians, to
also need the participation of patients, families,
ensure that these new discoveries from the lab
health workers, and related non-governmental
bench end up on the bedside. This is the only
organisations. To encourage this web, I have
approach that will allow us to understand the
created the Malta Neuroscience Network with
brain, protect brain health and benefit patients,
their families, and health workers.
These challenges need the strong support
happens when things go wrong. We want
the Brain fund to support more excellent and
of the community (government and society).
innovative brain research. We hope that the
Global collaboration efforts such as the BRAIN
Government of Malta will match private and
initiative in the USA and the Human Brain
other donations. The RIDT Brain fund will be
Project in Europe have been fundamental in
the first major investment in brain research ever
fast tracking discoveries in brain research.
made in Malta. We want to turn these funds
Malta is also contributing with many Maltese
into benefits for the Maltese people and others
researchers by publishing high quality research
beyond our shores.
on the brain. This has happened despite the
Maltese Government’s small investment in
The new Malta Neuroscience Network is
neuroscience research.
a community of researchers (neurologists,
psychiatrists, radiologists, biomedical
scientists, engineers, psychologists, cognitive
research with commercial potential. The answer
researchers, ICT scientists and others). It will
is logical: both! Unfortunately, Government has
launch a Brain Awareness Week (December
blindly decided to exclusively finance research with
1-6, 2015) with prominent neuroscientist Prof.
immediate commercial potential. In truth, one form
Giacomo Rizzolatti, who discovered mirror
of research cannot live without the other.
neurons and has been nominated for a Nobel
By creating the Malta Neuroscience Network
and the University of Malta Research Trust
Prize in Physiology and Medicine.
Follow Malta Neuroscience on
(RIDT) Brain Funding program we want to
www.facebook.com/GDGNeuroscience and
raise awareness about the brain and what
@uomneuroscinet on Twitter
Opinion
A big question in research funding is whether
the focus should be on basic research or on
15
Students:
on Research and Funds
W
KSU
Why do we need research? Why should the
travel grants abroad, and greater access to
University of Malta invest in research? The
academic resources. These are how KSU is
answer is simple: knowledge. Education has no
trying to incentivise more research and active
meaning without a thirst for new information
participation in student life. We hope that this
through research.
contribution will make a difference for these
Universities should be obliged to generate new
students. This fund receives many applications.
knowledge by creating thinkers and investing
This shows that students want to enhance
in them. This includes creating an environment
their educational experience if they have the
where both students and corporations are eager
necessary resources.
to invest time and money into knowledge worth
Over the last few years the University of
pursuing. How can this be achieved if students,
Malta has invested in its research infrastructure.
once they graduate, lose their enthusiasm to
By participating in EU-wide research projects,
find new knowledge? Postgraduate students are
University is supporting more postgraduate
faced with insufficient funds and extremely short
students, postdoctoral students, and resident
time frames. Our University has already started
academics. The institution has also engaged in
moving in the right direction. However, we lack a
various activities to tap into a number of funds
stable workforce capable of sustaining continued
to step up research activity, in collaboration
research. This is not easy. Only through
with both the industry and international
dedication, planning, and investment can we
counterparts. Significant progress has already
break the surface and become a self-sustaining
been made but there are still financial
organisation worthy of an academic university.
restrictions which hinder the continuous
As a move towards this direction, Kunsill
improvement of local research. The Students’
Studenti Universitarji (KSU) believes that
Council will continue to put pressure on the
students should be incentivised to embark
Government to invest in this area especially
on projects which will further enhance their
fundamental (basic) research.
educational experience. Projects like these
Research is an important pillar to create a
introduce a more practical approach to study
Third Generation University, which we should all
programmes. Therefore, for the 2014/2015
strive to enhance.
Opinion
scholastic year, KSU enhanced its own Research
16
and Opportunity Fund by offering €20,000 in
For more information on the KSU Research
funds for students to pursue research.
and Opportunity Fund visit http://bit.ly/
The funds supported research projects,
KSURnIFund.
STUDENTS
Cleaning Contaminated
Land with Plants
Carmen Sanchez Garcia
polluted soil) are expensive and alter
of the most common agricultural soils
crops, forests, and air and water
the site even more. Plants are now being
in Malta: a clay loam, sampled from
quality. Our survival and development
used as a better alternative. Some plants,
the Government Farm in Għammieri
depends on soil. However, a large
known as phytoaccumulators, have the
and a silty loam taken from the Ta'
amount of metals is being released daily
ability to adsorb and accumulate large
Qali area. The plant was efficient at
into the environment through household
amounts of metals in their tissues and
uptaking metals from the soil, which
waste, agricultural practices, and
can be used to clean contaminated
opens the door for future sustainable
industrial activity.
soils. This technique is known as
remediation of Maltese soils for a
phytoextraction and offers a sustainable
cleaner environment.
Soil acts as a ‘sink’ for pollution,
and depending on the soil’s chemical
alternative to the conventional
conditions, metals may persist there for
approaches being used. Phytoextraction
This research was performed as part
long periods of time, posing a risk for
is an environmentally friendly technique
of a Master of Science by research
humans and ecosystems. Maltese soils
which does not compromise the future
in Environmental Management and
have a high concentration of lead, zinc,
use of the site. Increasing the greenery
Planning at the Institute of Earth
and copper. At high concentrations,
also brings other benefits that will help
Systems, University of Malta. It
these metals are harmful to many forms
reducing further threats to Maltese soils
is partially funded by STEPS (the
of life and can lead to a host of diseases
such as soil erosion or decreasing organic
Strategic Educational Pathways
including cancer. Carmen Sanchez
matter.
Scholarship—Malta). This scholarship
Garcia (supervised by Dr Anthony Sacco)
Carmen Sanchez Garcia used the
is part-financed by the European
studied how to reduce the level of these
mustard plant (Brassica juncea) to
Union—European Social Fund (ESF)
metals in Maltese soils using plants
reduce lead, copper, and zinc levels
under Operational Programme
instead of conventional methods.
in Maltese soils. The plant is well
II—Cohesion Policy 2007–2013,
known for its ability to accumulate
‘Empowering People for More Jobs
metals. She tested the plant on two
and a Better Quality of Life’.
Conventional soil remediation
techniques (like capping or removing the
Students
S
oil sustains wildlife, landscapes,
17
Colour
Chemistry
in Water
Maria Cardona
A
tmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2)
levels have increased dramatically
The molecules are water-soluble due
to the incorporation of sulfonate
in the last few decades. Famous for
groups onto the azobenzene-based
causing global warming, CO2 is also
molecules. A sulfonate group is a
resulting in the acidification of seas
charged entity consisting of sulfur
and oceans. This disturbs the rich life
and three oxygen atoms. By its very
of the marine ecosystem, which affects
nature, a sulfonate group is very polar
human communities dependent on
and makes molecules more water-
this environment for their livelihood.
soluble. This contrasts with commercial
For islands like Malta and Gozo, this
azobenzene-based compounds such
problem is particularly important.
as methyl yellow and methyl red
This ‘silent crisis’ has attracted the
that have no charge and are not so
X-prize Competition organisers who
soluble. The indicators’ structure and
have set a $2 million dollar prize to be
mechanism were further studied using
awarded to anyone that can develop
a number of spectroscopic techniques
stable, inexpensive, and precise acidity
to understand how they work.
(pH) sensors to help understand the
The three azobenzene-based pH
acidification of marine environments.
indicators are very brightly coloured.
At the same time, a European COST
This class of compounds is widely used
initiative (Supramolecular Chemistry
as colorants for food and cosmetics.
in Water) is encouraging the design
Pending further tests to show non-
of water-soluble molecules which can
toxicity, the azobenzenes could be
recognise analytes. Most chemical
used in common applications. Though
sensors do not perform well in water.
a number of azobenzenes have been
As a step to solve this problem,
banned from use in edible products, the
Maria Cardona (supervised by Dr
synthesized molecules are promising to
David C. Magri) developed a number of
be much safer because of the presence
water-soluble indicators that monitor
of the two sulfonate groups. They allow
pH levels by changing colour. The
the molecules to be quickly and safely
change is easily visible. The pH is a
eliminated from the body.
measure of the acidity or basicity of a
The synthesis and study of readily
solution. The indicators (pictured) were
soluble pH indicators is one approach
synthesised in the lab using standard
to developing pH indicators to monitor
synthetic techniques.
the acidity of seas and oceans. By
The colorimetric pH indicators are
incorporating sulfonate groups, molecules
based on the dye azobenzene and
can be rendered soluble in water. This
show brilliant and distinct colour
is a significant contribution towards the
changes with transitions between high
detection of acidity in water.
to mild acidity, pH 1 and 4 (pictured).
This research was performed as part of a Master of Science in Chemistry at the
Students
Department of Chemistry within the Faculty of Science, University of Malta. It
18
Test strips containing 1-3
(left to right) adsorbed on
filter paper. In each case, the
strip on the left is treated
with alkali and the strip on
the right is treated with acid.
is partially funded by STEPS (the Strategic Educational Pathways Scholarship—
Malta). This scholarship is part-financed by the European Union—European
Social Fund (ESF) under Operational Programme II—Cohesion Policy 2007–2013,
‘Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life’.
Chemistry for Medicine
Kristina Farrugia
I
n medicine a timely and accurate diagnosis can decide the
of anion detection was due to the deprotonation of the sensor
chances of survival of a patient. Supramolecular Chemistry
molecules, through an acid-base reaction. This major finding
is a field that explores the design of intelligent molecules that
goes contrary to previous research, where anions are reported
can assist doctors when taking lifesaving decisions. These
to interact with the sensor molecules through complexation.
intelligent molecules can identify the type and amount of
Knowing a molecule’s mechanism of action is important since
proteins in a patient’s blood or tissue that would indicate
it will limit how these sensors can be used in patient diagnosis.
disease—in a similar method to blood glucose test strips.
Kristina Farrugia (supervised by Dr David C. Magri) recently
The molecules synthesised by Farrugia can serve as the
basis for more complex systems. Supramolecular chemistry
designed a series of eight novel intelligent molecules based
shows how chemistry can play a key role in the medicine of
on the thiourea (structurally similar to urea) unit. They were
tomorrow.
key biological processes such as fluoride, chloride, acetate,
This research was performed as part of Master of Science in
and phosphate. A drastic colour change visible to the naked
Chemistry at the Faculty of Science, University of Malta. It is
eye signalled the successful interaction of the anions with the
partly funded by STEPS (the Strategic Educational Pathways
sensing molecules.
Scholarship—Malta). This scholarship is part-financed by
The colour changes were accurately observed by the
the European Union—European Social Fund (ESF) under
techniques called UV-visible absorption and 2D 1H NMR
Operational Programme II—Cohesion Policy 2007-2013,
titration spectrometry. They determined that the mechanism
‘Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life’.
Students
tested for their ability to detect inorganic anions involved in
19
20
Feature
Science...
Bacteria...
Art...
Bacteria are everywhere, from the top of the windswept cliffs of Dwejra, Gozo,
right to the core of the ancient catacombs in Rabat, Malta.
Anne Marie Dimech met Dr Gabrielle Zammit to learn about the unique
bacteria discovered growing on artworks in ancient Maltese temples and how
these bacteria could be useful to medicine.
N
ature has provided the source for
is unique in its natural history, biodiversity, and
several medicines that save lives
cultural heritage.’ It is this awareness, together with
on a daily basis. Many medicines
her love of nature, that led her to approach leading
currently in use were originally
botanists Edwin Lanfranco and Professor Radmila
derived from animals, plants, and
Vujicic for her undergraduate and postgraduate
microbes. These include the painkillers morphine
research.
and aspirin, anticancer agents such as vincristine
penicillin. With all that has already been found,
SAVING THE SHRUBS
it is hard to imagine that there is anything left to
Zammit developed an efficient way to produce
discover. Dr Gabrielle Zammit (Department of
a large number of two endemic shrubs in the
Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Malta)
lab (using micropropagation): the Maltese Cliff-
showed me just how wrong I was. Dr Gabrielle
orache (Cremnophyton lanfrancoi) and the Maltese
Zammit is currently working on sequencing the
Everlasting (Helichrysum melitense). Both shrubs
genome of new strains of cyanobacteria, an ancient
grow on rocks, technically called a rupestral
type of photosynthetic blue-green bacteria, first
habitat, and are found growing along small areas of
extracted from Maltese catacombs. As we settle
the northwestern and southern cliffs of the Islands.
down in the lab, I learn that Zammit’s initial
In Malta, the project was the first to try using
involvement in research was far-removed from
modern plant cloning techniques to cultivate local
the workings of subterranean bacteria and dealt
endangered plants. These two plants were chosen
with endemic shrubs living on the sheer, coastal
since they spread and grow very slowly in the wild.
cliffs of the Maltese islands. It is soon evident that
Coupled with human pressures, this resulted in
Malta is the one seamless thread that runs through
dwindling populations, and the plants have been
the heart of all of her diverse research. She has
slapped with a ‘critically endangered’ label on the
always been aware that ‘although Malta is tiny, it
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species,
Feature
and vinblastine, and many antibiotics including
21
which is just one step away from
extinction. So important are these
plants, that even Zammit needed a
special permit to take plant cuttings for
her research to try and save them.
Photo courtesy of MEPA
Once the cuttings were in hand, tiny
sections of plant tissue were extracted
from them. These were cultured in
media with different growth hormones
to identify the culture medium that
enabled the growth of masses of
undifferentiated cells—a growth
callus—as well as shoots and roots in
The Maltese Cliff-orache, Cremnophyton lanfrancoi, was described
sterile glass jars. Methods were then
by two Sicilian botanists and named after Edwin Lanfranco. A paper
developed to transfer the plantlets
recently questioned its placement in the genus Cremnophyton
from laboratory growth rooms to
suggesting it should be moved to the related Atriplex—although still a
controlled ambient greenhouses and
matter of hot discussion. Its natural habitat are the seaside cliffs along
shaded glasshouses. The shrubs were
the northwestern and southern coast of Malta and Gozo, but it now
successfully rejuvenated and planted in
grows in an area smaller than 100 km . It became critically endangered
locations ranging from the University’s
due to a combination of factors, which include an endangered habitat,
botanic gardens to other public
replacement by invasive alien species, and very low regeneration due to
gardens, such as Ġnien Indipendenza
an insect (a parasitic hymenopteran discovered by Zammit, belonging
in Sliema. Some of the plantings are
to the same order as bees) that feeds on the endosperm. Apart from
still flowering 15 years later, therefore
the insect, a fungus that seems to infect all mature plants, limiting their
helping to ensure the continued
ability to reproduce.
existence of these two very important
2
shrubs.
GOING UNDERGROUND
After this research, Zammit started
lecturing biochemistry to degree
students in artwork conservation. This
helped her marry her area of expertise
Photo by Edwin Lanfranco
with another great passion of hers—art.
During this time, she met many
conservators, curators, and restoration
architects who, discussed with her
the nature of growths they saw on
underground wall paintings, such as
in catacombs and hypogea. Zammit
explains that traditionally, ‘even in
The Maltese Everlasting, Helichrysum melitense, prefers sunlight and
Melitensia, historians and curators used
grows on intact limestone coastal cliffs. Only one population remains
terms such as moffa, or ħass, indicating
on Gozo and Fungus Rock, covering an area smaller than 25 km2; this
that the films were biological. However,
shrub is probably extinct in the wild in Malta. This has happened due to
there was no knowledge of what was
invading alien species and a drastic decrease in its natural environment
actually going on because no systematic
because of development.
studies had ever been carried out.’
Feature
For Zammit these ‘alterations’
22
needed to be documented, described,
Dr Gabrielle Zammit (Photo by Edward Duca)
The underground
sites are strangely
good places for
these life forms. A
bit of light enters
through entrances
and artificial
lamps.
and mapped. Discovering the nature
she first took non-invasive samples
of the growths, and knowing whether
from wall paintings, ochre inscriptions,
they were chemical or biological, would
and ancient mortars. To understand
help to find ways to control or prevent
the various layers of these sites she
their development and mitigate
also took tiny 1 mm micro-invasive
damage. Inspired by these discussions,
samples. She examined them under
she contacted one of this field’s
various microscopes and saw that the
pioneers, phycologist Professor Patrizia
‘alterations’ were biofilms made up
Albertano (University of Rome). Her
of cyanobacteria and other bacteria,
initial study turned into a fully-fledged
microalgae, fungal spores, and
Ph.D. project and Professor Albertano
occasionally, moss.
eventually became her supervisor. To
The underground sites are strangely
figure out what these ‘alterations’ were,
good places for these life forms. A
Zammit also collaborated with research
bit of light enters through entrances
teams from the Spanish National
and artificial lamps. The temperature
Research Council, the National History
is stable at a reasonable 19–21°C
Museum (UK), and the University
throughout the year, and humidity
of South Bohemia (Czech Republic).
levels are constantly above 97%, so
The research performed, revealed a
moisture is plentiful. The biofilms
wealth of knowledge on how biological
are held together by a thick, sticky
and chemical phenomena were
substance made up of various sugars
deteriorating priceless art works.
called the exopolysaccharide matrix.
This matrix is created by the organisms
STUDYING ROCKS
to help them survive. It aids their
Zammit researched the ancient Ħal
it. It also helps capture moisture
Saflieni Hypogeum (see THINK issue
and slowly release it for the growing
10, pg. 34, The Death of the Temple
microorganisms.
Diatoms growing on an ochre inscription
Zammit analysed the chemical
catacomb sites (St. Agatha’s Crypt and
makeup of the samples using
Catacombs, St. Paul’s Catacombs, and
techniques called Elemental Analysis
the Abbattija tad-Dejr Catacombs).
(SEM-EDS), X-ray micro-diffraction
With the necessary permits in hand,
(XRD), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF).
Feature
People) and three paleo-Christian
adherence to the surface to infiltrate
23
Cyanobacteria are believed to have been among the first living
organisms to colonise the earth and to give it its oxygen-rich
atmosphere. This eventually let human beings and a host of other
animals evolve. Cyanobacteria are unique in being bacteria that can
phosynthesise, glide without the aid of flagellae and fix nitrogen through
specialised cells, while adapting and surviving in hostile environments.
Apart from their importance in evolution, cyanobacteria have recently
come back into the spotlight because of wide-ranging biotechnological
applications. They are being studied to make biofuels and help degrade
plastic. They are also used in the production of cosmetics and lubricants.
Molecules made by these bacteria have shown antiviral, antibacterial,
antifungal and anticancer properties that can lead to the production of
new medicines.
She identified soluble salts like halite
(sodium chloride) and gypsum (calcium
sulphate) that were thought to be
reaching the catacombs by rising
Zammit’s research did not stop there.
through the ground or by infiltrating
She next turned to focus on the
the ceiling. Cyanobacteria were
microorganisms forming these biofilms.
commonly found growing on the
She cultured and identified these fungi,
gypsum layers, probably because they
chemoorganic bacteria, cyanobacteria,
use the gypsum as a source of sulphur,
and microalgae. They now form part
an element required for their growth.
of an extensive culture collection of
Halite helps the microorganisms
hundreds of different strains—many
dissolve the rock surface, which is
are new to science. Each strain was
composed of different forms of calcium
studied to identify every stage of the
carbonate.
life cycle, the external and internal
Much of the damage caused to wall
Feature
arrangement of the cell and their
The potential
is great, and
amongst
many possible
applications,
this sequencing
may lead to the
development of
new medicines.
paintings by these microorganisms
genetic makeup. The genetic studies
is because they dissolve calcium
sequence specific parts of the strain’s
carbonate. Zammit then used
genes to be able to compare them with
other techniques to show that the
other species’. This is done using online
amongst themselves, but are only
cyanobacteria were forming calcite
databases to help describe and classify
92% similar to the Leptolyngbya genus
crystals around them. The bacteria
them.
of cyanobacteria with which they
dissolve the calcium carbonate then
24
SEQUENCING NEW
MICROORGANISMS
In this way, Zammit discovered
were normally clustered. 92% is low
re-form it by biocalcification in specific
a group of cyanobacteria made up
in genetic terms (humans are nearly
shapes and sizes depending on the
of reddish filaments that have a
99% similar to chimps), which meant
type of bacteria. These processes
conspicuous photosensitive tip. The
that these strains contained a new
lead to the formation of layers of
filaments are able to glide to the
genus and species that Zammit named
biomediated calcite over the wall
top of biofilms to be closer to light.
Oculatella subterranea. The first part of
paintings that deteriorate these
The group was composed of seven
the name refers to the photosensitive
artworks.
different strains that are 99% similar
tip, or ‘small eye’ which features in
all the strains. Other groups of novel
strains are presently being studied.
Zammit is presently collaborating
with medical geneticist, Professor Alex
Felice to sequence the whole genomes of
these new strains of cyanobacteria and
microalgae. When genes are read they
produce proteins, in our case responsible
for eye colour, hair colour, height, and
other features. For these microorganisms,
this can relate to how sensitive they are to
light or the substances they can produce.
She is translating the vast amount of data
that genome sequencing generates into
protein structures using bioinformatics
tools. It allows the researchers to build a
picture of how the strains metabolise and
synthesise different sugars, fatty acids
and antibiotics. This picture is needed
to figure out how the microorganisms
function as a living system that influences
Microalgae
the effect they have on their environment.
It also facilitates the genetic engineering
of the microorganisms, so that they can
be used in the industrial production of
specific molecules. Bacteria are already
vital in making insulin available for
FURTHER READING
diabetics around the world. The potential
applications, this sequencing may lead to
the development of new medicines.
Zammit is passionate about the new
developments her research has taken—
from saving plants to saving human
lives. Her love of Malta’s natural and
cultural heritage has driven her work to
safeguard Malta and its environment.
Although one person’s research is only
a sliver in the contribution to scientific
knowledge, every step is vital to create
a picture that can save others, and
perhaps with these efforts nature will
provide yet another medicine.
• De Leo F., Iero A., Zammit G., Urzì C. (2012) Chemoorganotrophic
bacteria isolated from biodeteriorated surfaces in caves and catacombs.
International Journal of Speleology 41(2): 1-12.
• Zammit G., Billi D., Shubert E., Kastovsky J., Albertano P. (2011) The
biodiversity of subaerophytic phototrophic biofilms from Maltese hypogea.
Fottea 11 (1): 187–201.
• Zammit G., Billi D., Albertano P. (2012) The subaerophytic
cyanobacterium Oculatella subterranea (Oscillatoriales, Cyanophyceae)
gen. et sp. nov.: a cytomorphological and molecular description. Eur. J.
Phycol. 47(4): 341-354.
• Zammit G., Sanchez-Moral S., Albertano P. (2011) Bacterially mediated
mineralisation processes lead to biodeterioration of artworks in Maltese
catacombs. Science of the Total Environment 409: 2773-2782.
Feature
is great, and amongst many possible
25
Seeing the
unseeable
Unlocking the mysteries of the brain with MRI
Feature
Everything we think, say, or do depends on our brain. It is the most vital organ of our
body but one of the least understood. Recent advances are changing things. With
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), scientists and researchers are getting an inside look
into what makes us tick. Cassi Camilleri speaks to Dr Sonia Waiczies Chetcuti,
Dr Helmar Waiczies and Prof. Kenneth Camilleri about their vision for experimental
MRI in Malta. Illustrations by Sonya Hallett.
26
For her Ph.D. (carried out at the Charité Medical
intricate wiring, made up of billions
University between 1999 and 2003) Sonia focused
of neurons firing relentlessly, keeps
her attention on studying the autoimmune reaction
it in constant contact with every part
in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) using animal models.
of the body. No supercomputer can
The pathology underlying MS sees the immune
compare. This level of complexity has made it
system trigger a chain reaction where white blood
deeply difficult for humans to study how the brain
cells called T-cells are recruited by the Central
interacts with the body’s various systems. Treating
Nervous System (CNS), consisting of the brain
it when something goes wrong is even more
and spinal cord. The persistent presence of T-cells
difficult.
here leads to the damage of neurons, an insidious
This is where Dr Sonia Waiczies Chetcuti
process which results in the disintegration of
comes in. Starting her career in pharmacology,
the fatty myelin sheath insulating the neuron—
Sonia experimented with molecules found within
analogous to stripping a copper wire. Its removal
cells with the long-term goal of developing new
inhibits the neuron from firing messages as quickly
therapies for various ailments. However, the
and efficiently as it normally would. At this stage,
microscopic level at which she was working, as
lesions develop in the brain, and, when a sufficient
well as the uncertainty of whether or not her work
number of neurons have been affected, clear
would ultimately be used in the medical field, saw
symptoms begin to manifest, typically diplopia
her interests wander: ‘I believed that looking at
and ataxia, double vision and impaired bodily
the organism as a whole brought you closer to the
movement.
reality of life.’
The all important issue Sonia tackled in her
It was within the field of neuro-immunology,
research, and which is still unanswered, is: ‘What is
the study of the interaction between the immune
this trigger that sets the immune system haywire?
system and the nervous system, that she eventually
What is the root cause?’
found her niche.
While various scientists and researchers have
‘What fascinated me is this balance in the
looked into mapping molecular movement in cells
immune system. On one hand, it can trigger a
when the illness hits, this highly focused approach
healthy response to protect the brain against
has so far failed to properly shed light on the hows
harmful invading organisms, while on the other
and the whys of MS. Many times, the work is
hand, it can go overboard, attacking itself.’ This is
disjointed, with professionals working separately,
the principle of autoimmunity that underlies Sonia’s
focusing on their own fields. Geneticists look at
Ph.D. She believes that ‘understanding [this] will
genetics. Clinicians and epidemiologists look at
help us learn how to control it.’
environmental and socioeconomic factors.
Feature
T
he brain is a unique machine. Its
27
Dr Helmar Waiczies
Since MRI is
completely noninvasive and
makes no use of
harmful ionising
radiation, it allows
researchers to
take multiple
scans and observe
what is happening
at various disease
stages.
Dr Sonia Waiczies Chetcuti
But the reality is that ‘various factors
where the body replicates endlessly to
need to be considered at the same time
unfortunate consequences: tumours.
for an answer to be found,’ says Sonia.
It is in our interest that tumour tissue
She likens their endeavour to that
is destroyed by these immune cells. To
of looking for a needle in a haystack
this end, she studied this concept (at
and, coincidently, the solution she
the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular
applied elegantly fits both problems.
Medicine), whereby mice with gliomas (a
In both cases, a very powerful magnet
type of brain tumour) were given these
is required. Energised by the concept,
immune cells which had ERK-1 removed
Sonia sought to apply the use of MR
as a cellular therapy. This resulted in a
technology to her study of MS.
halt to the tumour’s growth. Now they
Inspiration came in the shape of
are using fluorine to track these potent
an article by Eric T. Ahrens in Nature
cell therapies in animal models by using
Biotechnology called In vivo imaging
various MRI techniques. In the case of
platform for tracking immunotherapeutic
MS, neuronal damage can be measured
cells. Using fluorine, an element
by quantifying the performance of
not commonly found in nature, the
specific regions of the brain with the use
researchers tagged dendritic cells and
of functional MRI. Magnetic resonance
tracked their movements in a living
spectroscopy also does this by looking
mouse using MRI.
at variations in the metabolites found
Feature
Sonia’s work on the animal model of
28
in the brain. Since MRI is completely
MS had already succeeded in identifying
non-invasive and makes no use of
a compound, extracellular-related
harmful ionising radiation, it allows
kinase-1 (ERK-1), which has been shown
researchers to take multiple scans and
to be essential to immune system
observe what is happening at various
regulation. Removing the molecule
disease stages. This is not just in the
contributed to more severe autoimmune
case of MS; a plethora of other diseases
disease. This made certain immune
can be studied in this manner, including
cells more prone to attack self tissue
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
in the body they reside in. A few years
This leaves little doubt as to the
back, Sonia figured out that a principle
massive potential MRI technology
would be beneficial to exploit in cancer,
holds. Used as an experimental tool,
Protons in the body are
naturally unaligned
Magnetic fields in the MRI
machine align the protons
Radio waves produced by the
MRI unalign the protons again
As the protons realign due to
the magnetic field, radio waves
are emitted which are recorded
and provide data
MRI Physics
A SUMMARY
MRI is a non-invasive medical test that aids doctors and physicians in their diagnoses and treatment of
various medical conditions.
During an MRI scan, the subject lies in a strong magnetic field with radio-frequency waves directed
at them. The magnets in the MRI scanner line up the protons (H+ ions) in the body in the same direction
because they are sensitive to a magnetic field.
Short bursts of radio waves are then sent to particular areas of the body, knocking the protons out of
alignment. When the radio waves are turned off, the protons then realign and in so doing they send out
radio signals, which are picked up by receiver coils.
These signals provide information about the exact location of the protons in the body. Then, in the same
way that millions of pixels on a computer screen can create complex pictures, the signals from the millions
of protons in the body are combined to create a detailed image.
These images enable physicians to evaluate various parts of the body and determine the presence or
Feature
development of certain diseases.
29
it enables researchers to develop
clear. In Sonia’s case those skills were
by the electronics, the cables and
treatments. As a diagnostic tool, it
to be found very close to home. Her
other components in the machine. This
allows doctors to make better diagnoses
husband, Dr Helmar Waiczies, was
makes a diagnosis nearly impossible;
and ultimately provide better care.
already working in the field of MRI as a
the image would be unclear. ‘The noise
Radio-frequency engineer. His shared
is like the lawn in a garden. If it is too
experimental MRI technology is not
interest in immune systems made him
high, flowers, signals, will no longer be
streamlined. Sonia is quick to point out
an invaluable source of information.
seen.’ To deal with the issue, Sonia and
Having said that, this use of
that a so-called ‘clinico-radiological
A problem they needed to overcome
Helmar developed a radio frequency
paradox’ remains, meaning that
was that of signal-to-noise ratio, a
coil which they dubbed the ‘Shingled
results from the still-evolving MRI
standard limitation in MRI, says Helmar.
leg coil.’ Its design eliminated the need
techniques have not yet fallen in line
A bad signal-to-noise ratio means that
for extra electrical components on the
with clinical knowledge. In some cases,
the MRI cannot
a patient would come in with obvious
pick up signals
symptoms of MS but no lesions would
from the body
be indicated on the MRI. On the other
due to the high
hand, someone barely showing any
level of noise
symptoms could produce an MRI which
being emitted
shows a brain full of lesions.
On a more technical level, one
of the biggest hurdles with MRI are
the limitations in the laws of physics
that govern it. This is where the need
for a different set of skills becomes
Auto-immunity
HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?
Our immune system is there to resist attack from invading
microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
can be normal in a healthy body. For example, autophagy
White blood cells, particularly T-lymphocytes, are called upon
(the planned and controlled death of cells and their clearing)
by dendritic cells, which tag the invaders to make it clear what
sees potentially harmful products of cell breakdown cleared
the lymphocytes should attack. Dendritic cells will ‘present’
out. In these cases, even though it is our own cells that are
uniquely identifiable proteins, antigens, found on the invading
being done away with, they are cells which are no longer
organisms, much like a cellular ID card. The immune system is
useful or needed, and so tolerance is still maintained. The
then able to make a very important distinction between what
problem with autoimmune disease is when no distinction is
is self and what is non-self, based on these antigens. This is
made anymore between redundant cells and fully functional
called tolerance, whereby self is tolerated, and non-self, is
cells. The functional cells then start being cleared out for no
attacked. It is the only discriminatory act the immune system
good reason. Why this happens is still largely unknown, but
makes.
contributing factors include inheritance of genes that could
Feature
Autoimmunity is what happens when those self antigens,
30
The cellular process that leads to autoimmunity diseases
disrupt different tolerance pathways (genetic predisposition),
are, for some as yet incompletely understood reason, now
and some environmental trigger. Apart from this autophagy
seen as non-self, and so, would be targeted as if they were
process others have been proposed to explain why the immune
just another troublesome bug.
system can go berserk leading to autoimmune disease.
probe structure. This reduced noise,
clinicians to open the channels of
the returns from having such a facility
thus allowing for signals to be picked up
communication and collaboration. It
on the Island would come in many
better, and resulting in sharper images.
promotes the sharing of ideas, fosters
forms,’ points out Camilleri.
‘The current technological
restrictions of MRI means that the
role of physicists in this work cannot
discussions, and pushes for research to
be applied in the real world.
Camilleri is working with Sonia in
Not only would the Centre put
Malta on the map in the field of
medical and engineering research but
be understated,’ says Sonia. Engineers
bringing her vision for the development
it would also provide various services
need medical professionals to know
of MRI technology to Malta. Through
both locally and internationally.
what ailments can be improved using
the Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Clinical drug studies would become a
technology. Biologists need to know
Group Initiative, they are working
possibility, attracting pharmaceutical
how far technology can go. In MRI
together to establish an experimental
companies from all around the world.
research this interdisciplinary approach
MRI Centre at the University of Malta.
This would offer a new opportunity
is crucial.
This is perfectly in line with what
The challenge is difficult because
it needs around €3–5 million to set
for the provision of service to various
investors.
Prof. Kenneth Camilleri, from the
up. There would also be recurring
Centre for Biomedical Cybernetics at
maintenance costs of half a million Euro
cultural heritage agencies such as
The Centre would also benefit
the University of Malta, thinks. The
each year. ‘There is no denying that
Heritage Malta. Artefacts can be
Centre brings together engineers and
finance has been a problem. However,
scanned in 3D to help restoration and
conservation effects, thereby indirectly
providing a service to the local tourism
Prof. Kenneth Camilleri
Camilleri is
working with
Sonia in bringing
her vision for the
development of
MRI technology to
Malta.
industry.
According to Sonia, however, one
of the most important applications of
the centre will remain in healthcare.
‘We are living in an aging society.
So we really have to invest more in
screening people.’ In Germany, regular
screenings help identify disease before
it becomes incurable. This regular
testing also provides a wealth of data
for researchers to develop a better
understanding of various diseases.
In Malta, this has not been adopted
systematically. However, with the
country’s reputation as a retirement
FURTHER READING
haven becoming entrenched,
this makes the Centre even more
important.
• Waiczies, S. and Waiczies, H. (2011). Understanding the Pathogenesis
of Neuroinflammation using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Malta
Medical Journal 23, 3:56-60.
• Ahrens, E., Flores, R., Xu, H. and Morel, P. (2005). In vivo imaging
platform for tracking immunotherapeutic cells. Nature Biotechnology,
23(8), pp.983-987.
There is no denying that care
is crucial. However, being able to
differentiate between diseases better
and earlier will prove essential in the
long-run. It is about working backwards
and trying to improve on what is
already known to develop better
treatments and improve people lives.
As Sonia rightly says, ‘It’s about taking
the bull by the horns.’
Feature
• Bushong, S. and Clarke, G. (2014). Magnetic resonance imaging.
St. Louis: Elsevier Mosby.
31
32
Feature
CONNECT THE DOTS
A new hallmark for graphene, the wonder material of the 21st century, has been found. It has a
range of applications—from biomedical to new, smart materials. To gain a better understanding of
this discovery, Claire Testa met metamaterials researcher Professor Joseph N. Grima and his team
(Department of Chemistry, University of Malta). Photos by Elisa von Brockdorff.
T
he crumpled paper in the dustbin next to
your office desk appears like a mundane
object. However, if you grab a piece of
paper and pull from both ends to open
it up, it will grow longer and fatter. This
seemingly unremarkable property could result in the
next revolutionary material.
Professor Joseph Grima is one of the leaders in
the field of auxetic materials. He starts by explaining
the obvious. When something is stretched it tends to
become longer and thinner. Auxetics defy this logic.
They become wider when stretched. The extent to
which a material gets fatter or thinner is called the
Poisson’s ratio. A positive Poisson’s ratio is when the
material gets thinner, a rubberband is a good example;
while if a material widens when pulled it has a negative
Poisson’s ratio. This makes a material auxetic. This
property is ‘scale independent,’ explains Dr Daphne
large and small structures.
Feature
Attard—a researcher in Grima’s lab—and may exist in
33
A STRANGE MATERIAL
Graphene has been proclaimed as
»
‘the wonder material of the 21st
century.’ Its potential is astounding
with applications in display screens,
electrical circuits, tissue engineering,
»
In 2010, Andre K. Geim and Konstantin
»
water filtration, and nanotechnology.
S. Novoselov received the Nobel Prize
in Physics for their work on this super
material.
Luke Mizzi, a young Ph.D. student,
»
explains how graphene is a form of
carbon made of single atom-thick
layers. They appear like sheets of paper
with clouds of electrons on each side.
These are really thin layers, graphene
is amongst the thinnest materials that
ever existed. One graphene layer, for
example, is invisible to the human eye
being thinner than a soap bubble film,
yet nearly as strong as diamond. This
unique structure combines strength
with an ability to pass electricity and
heat. Thus making it promising for
several future applications.
MAKING THE CONNECTION
Grima compares graphene sheets to
the sea in autumn. The small ripples
on the surface of the sea resemble
graphene sheets, which are not
perfectly flat. Graphene has ripples in
it. Nevertheless, unlike the crumpled
paper mentioned before, graphene is
not naturally auxetic. It does not get
wider when stretched.
Grima’s team shows how graphene’s
Feature
the removal of certain atoms and by
the setting up of new connections.
This introduced some five-sided
pentagons in a layer that previously
only contained six-sided hexagons.
The presence of these pentagons
geometrically disturbs the graphene
sheet, which dramatically increases the
amount of ripples.
Grima’s team succeeded in
showing that putting enough defects
in graphene imparts it with auxetic
properties. As a result of these defects,
‘the imperfect graphene’ adopted
a real crumpled shape, giving it the
necessary geometry similar to that of
a ‘highly wrinkled paper’, so that when
one stretches it, it also widens, explains
Grima. Additionally, Grima says that
already remarkable properties
one can increase the extent of auxetic
may be improved by modifying its
behaviour by increasing the amount of
nanostructure. Graphene has a perfect
defects.
arrangement of atoms. To make it
34
Graphene
has a perfect
arrangement
of atoms. To
make it auxetic,
Grima explains,
‘one needs to
disturb its perfect
arrangement of
atoms which looks
like chicken wire.
Grima and his team (including
auxetic, Grima explains, ‘one needs
collaborators from the Polish Academy
to disturb its perfect arrangement of
of Science and Gdansk University of
atoms, which looks like chicken wire.’
Technology) used realistic computer
The atoms in graphene are arranged
simulations to study whether graphene
like a net of hexagons. This can be
could be auxetic in the real world.
performed at ambient conditions by
The simulations took months of
Dr Luke Mizzi
Dr Daphne Attard
Prof. Joseph N. Grima
supercomputer power to verify that
and try to cover your elbow with this
smaller. ‘Imperfect graphene can
this modified graphene works. These
instead. The wrinkled paper drapes
also be potentially used as a nano-
calculations represent the ‘blueprint’
more easily over your elbow because
cushion’, said Grima. Auxetic graphene
for making graphene, as well as other
auxetic materials tend to form a nice
could also be used to make smart
sheet-like materials, auxetic. The
dome shape. A scaledown of this
nanoelectromechanical devices or
possibilities are phenomenal.
fabulous feature could potentially lead
smart filters.
to applications of graphene with a
Grima worked with his whole team
SMALLER THAN SMALL
negative Poisson’s ratio in nano-domes.
to make this discovery. It was well
These domes could make the perfect
known that, by adding defects to
This new material ‘shows a very
protective material.
graphene, it would have more wrinkles,
elegant link between the macroscale
Dr Ruben Gatt, a lead researcher
as was the auxetic nature of a crumpled
and the nanoscale,’ says Grima. He
in Grima’s team, described another
sheet of paper. But they ‘connected the
goes on to state that this is indeed a
amazing property of auxetic materials.
dots’. The dots were already present,
fantastic material with ‘multifunctional
When one tries to firmly press a
but the team linked them all together.
characteristics’. Here, one needs to
cushion, it tends to shrink in all
consider two points. First of all, that
directions. The cushion gets smaller.
which opens up enormous possibilities,
graphene is a super material in itself
Auxetic materials act differently.
‘as broad as the imagination can stretch,’
with numerous applications. Secondly,
They densify where you press, which
explains Attard. This leaves us to
that auxetic materials have wonderful
means that if you try and push the
wonder what other fabulous material
properties. By combining these two
foam, the material gets larger not
Grima’s team will come up with next.
Auxeticity is a marvellous property
features, Grima explains how a highly
complex material such as graphene
has been shown to mirror almost
everything that is typically observed
on a large scale into a crumpled sheet
FURTHER READING
of paper.
shaped and it does not cover your
elbow properly, explains Grima. Now
open up a crumpled sheet of paper
• Grima, J., Winczewski, S., Mizzi, L., Grech, M., Cauchi, R., Gatt, R.,
Attard, D., Wojciechowski, K. W. and Rybicki, J. (2014). Tailoring
Graphene to Achieve Negative Poisson's Ratio Properties. Adv. Mater.,
27(8), pp.1455-1459.
Feature
Try and wrap a sheet of paper around
your elbow. This becomes saddle-
35
GREEN
ROOF
MALTA
In Malta, buildings cover one third of the Island, leaving greenery in the dirt
track. Green roofs are one way to bring plants back to urban areas with loads
of benefits. Antoine Gatt, who manages the LifeMedGreenRoof project at the
University of Malta, tells us more.
W
inter in Malta sees
community and increase the quality of life. It
reasonable downpours,
provides ecosystem services, ranging from jobs
flooding roads turning
to cultural benefits, to aid people. Importantly,
some areas into water
it mitigates urban problems that include
wonderlands; summer
flooding, pollution, and the heat island effect.
sees air conditioners being switched on with
This infrastructure makes urban environments
bills skyrocketing and the occasional power cut.
sustainable, providing services that are much
These are common problems for highly urbanised
cheaper than their cost.
areas with few green spaces. Flooding occurs
because water cannot seep and percolate into
with the rebirth of green roofs, roofs covered
the underlying rock. Urban areas also act as heat
by vegetation and growing medium. Their
islands because hard surfaces absorb the sun's
development originally began for aesthetic and
energy releasing it during cooler periods that cause
practical reasons. However, over time, roof
air temperatures to spiral upwards. Green areas
greening clearly started showing advantages
reduce these problems.
for the whole community. Research has shown
Malta is not the only place suffering these
that green roofs are capable of mitigating urban
problems. The situation is chronic in large cities
related problems and increase the quality of life.
within mainland Europe. The European Commission
The technology has been so successful that it has
has stepped in by issuing publications to encourage
been replicated on six continents. The majority
member states to move towards sustainable urban
of green roofs have been constructed in Central
areas and is enforcing directives to reduce the
and Northern Europe. These countries invest the
carbon footprint of buildings.
most in research into green roofs and government
Feature
Green infrastructure involves making urban
36
Germany led the way in green infrastructure
spaces greener to provide services to the
incentives that encourage their installation on
buildings.
Although gaining ground, green roof
research within the Mediterranean
region lags behind. Green roofs have an
important part to play in making towns
and cities more sustainable and better
places to live in. The Mediterranean’s
hot climate could be mitigated with
these roofs.
My interest in green roofs
germinated during a visit to Monaco
years back. It was reinforced when I
visited the Jardin Atlantique, a green
Green roofs have
an important part
to play in making
towns and cities
more sustainable
and better places
to live in.
like water leaks. There are other
problems.
Green roofs in warmer climates
often report plant failure especially
when using stonecrops (Sedums ssp.),
which are normally used in Northern
Europe. Water management is another
issue with Malta’s poor and irregular
rainfall. Another problem is that green
roofs cannot use soil. Soils tend to
be heavy especially when saturated.
They become compacted, loose bulk,
roof atop the Montparnasse station
and contain silt and clays that lead to
in Paris, for a field trip while reading
ponding (water collection). If green
for a degree in landscape architecture.
roof technology is to advance locally
I saw the beauty of these roofs and
it needs to be convenient, easy to
the potential they had back home first
maintain, reliable, and cost effective.
hand.
To solve these problems, back
in 2013 the EU funded (LIFE+
GREEN ROOFS IN MALTA
programme) a LifeMedGreenRoof
Green roofs in Malta have never really
about green roof construction and
taken off because of misconceptions
performance in Malta. The idea is to
and the fear of flaws leading to issues
demonstrate the potential green
Feature
project to create a baseline study
37
Malta is not an
easy climate for
green roofs. There
are issues with
high winds and
temperatures,
plant choice,
heavy rains, and
soil type.
Feature
high pH levels. Inert industrial waste
construction.
was unavailable. As a result, materials
Malta is not an easy climate for
were sourced from abroad. The use of
green roofs. There are issues with high
local materials would have been ideal
winds and temperatures, plant choice,
since they would have reduced the
heavy rains, and soil type. The growing
green roofs’ carbon footprint, as well as
roofs have to solve urban problems
medium for plant cultivation needs to
reducing waste and transport costs.
by reducing storm water runoff
be suited to Malta’s climate. Rainfall
and improving a building’s energy
is generally sporadic, heavy, and
plants to use. This time we managed to
consumption.
concentrated over a short period of
go local. Plants are essential in making
The Faculty for the Built
38
set a national standard on green roof
Our next problem to solve was which
time, between late September or early
the roof look beautiful, trap water, and
Environment (University of Malta)
October, and February. The rest of
trap solar energy. Not all plants are
manages the project. Three other
the year is very dry so some irrigation
able to survive the microclimate at roof
partners are involved. Both Minoprio
is necessary. This weather pattern
level. The stonecrops used in Northern
Analisi e Certificazioni (MAC;
means that the media used should be
European temperate climates are not
a horticultural laboratory) and
free-draining but able to retain enough
appropriate for Malta because of its
Fondazione Minoprio (FM; a research
moisture for the plants to survive
semi-arid climate. On the other hand,
and educational establishment
the dry months. Ideally the growing
indigenous species are adapted to local
specialising in horticultural/agribusinss)
media components should be sourced
conditions and generally require less
have ample horticultural knowledge
locally. Tests have been carried out
maintenance—they grow naturally in
in terms of plant choice, propagation
on media made from locally produced
the wild.
and cultivation of green roofs. The
compost, soft-stone and hard-stone
Malta Competition and Consumer
aggregate, and crushed concrete but
Affairs Authority (MCCAA) will be
these were not adequate because of
garigue habitat (xagħri: stony ground
responsible for drafting a document to
their chemical make-up, especially their
with shallow pockets of soil) would
By studying the native flora habitats
we decided that plants from the
Jardin Atlantique, Montparnasse Station
be the best contenders. The garigue
has biochar while the other does not.
habitat conditions are very similar to
Biochar is a type of charcoal used in
what plants experience on roofs: they
horticulture to enhance soil fertility.
tend to be exposed to high winds and
In 2014, we planted the test trays
will be replaced by a fully-fledged
solar radiation with limited soil depth.
with one or two species of the selected
green roof. On the building of the
Over 15 species of native perennial
plants. Both growing media mixes had
University’s Faculty for the Built
(long-living) shrubs were earmarked for
the same plant species and planting
Environment a higher roof level will be
testing.
configuration to compare the effect of
used as an open air laboratory, with a
biochar and see how the plants fare on
public garden in the larger lower level.
x 1 m) from recycled plastic and filled
the green roof. The plants are being
This garden will be open to all visitors
them with two different growing
monitored by overhead photography to
so that everyone can appreciate the
media. Our horticultural partner, MAC,
analyse their development. To date, we
potential of green roofs in Malta.
produced them especially for Malta.
have had few losses (less than 5%).
In the coming months, the test trays
The next step will be to test just
They ran lab trials on many different
Plant development has been
how much energy saving and storm
media to identify these two specific
very encouraging. All plants have
water mitigation green roofs in Malta
mixes for the Maltese trials. Our Italian
reacted well to the growing media,
can achieve. The roof and underlying
partners are also running parallel green
although growth in the biochar mix
rooms will being monitored to see if
roof tests in Italy.
has been slow. The plants are growing
these rooms are cooler and need less
Green roof growing media is
healthily especially the Rock Samphire
air-conditioning. Water run-off will be
normally composed of very little
(Crithmum maritimum), Shrubby Crown
monitored to quantify the potential
organic matter, in our case, a maximum
Vetch (Coronilla valentina ssp. glauca),
green roofs have in controlling local
of 25%. The rest of the growing media
Greater Snapdragon (Antirrhinum
flooding. Armed with the above data,
is volcanic aggregate, ranging from
tortuosum), and the native perennial
the project will be in a position to
3–10 mm in diameter. The difference
Mediterranean Stonecrop (Sedum
showcase roof greening in Maltese
between the two mixes is that one
sediforme).
towns and villages. For green roofs to
Feature
We constructed 20 test trays (1 m
THE FUTURE IS GREEN
39
be effective, the area green roofs cover
needs to be large, a single green roof
will only benefit the owner and maybe
neighbours.
The greatest hurdle for green roofs
is whether households and businesses
in Malta are long and dry. Whichever
will buy into the technology. Cost is the
plants are used, irrigation is required,
butterfly (Papilio machaon ssp.
main stumbling block, although private
and this might be a drawback for
melitensis), numerous bees, and other
individuals, educational institutions,
buildings without a water cistern or
insects have been recorded. Green
design professionals, and corporate
well. However, water needs depend
roofs might just help Malta become a
bodies have already approached us.
on the plant species used with native
cooler and more beautiful country.
Cost depends on the type of green
vegetation generally requiring less
roof (whether intensive or extensive)
irrigation. Our tests are showing that
To learn more about the
and plant choice. The initial capital
plants cultivated in the biochar growing
LifeMedGreenRoof Project visit
should be recouped relatively quickly.
media require less water. At their driest,
www.lifemedgreenroof.org or follow
A green roof would increase the
the maximum amount of water given
on Facebook www.facebook.com/
property’s value, and the value of
per week to each plant is 1.5 l. Between
lifemedgreenroofproject. To arrange
nearby properties. In Paris, the rent
October 2014 and April 2015 the
a visit contact 2340 3621, antoine.
of apartment buildings around the
plants were not irrigated. Last winter
gatt@um.edu.mt or vince.morris@
Montparnasse station skyrocketed
was particularly wet, but these are still
um.edu.mt. The project is part-
after the Jardin Atlantique was built.
promising trials.
financed by LIFE+ programme which
Feature
After cost, irrigation is the second
40
To date, the results are very
insects. The Maltese swallowtail
is the EU’s funding instrument for
hurdle. Water is needed to maintain
encouraging. The plants are growing
the environment and climate action
a healthy plant community. Summers
well and have attracted many beneficial
ec.europa.eu/environment/life/about
41
Feature
WRITING
MALTESE
SIGN
LANGUAGE
Feature
Dr Maria Galea writes about her journey into the world of
Maltese Sign Language and bringing a logical framework to
the written form of the language. This work has the potential
to empower the approximately 400 deaf people in Malta.
42
unable to pursue her passion for dance due to
MALTESE SIGN LANGUAGE
a life-threatening skin condition. Instead, she
In Malta, around 400 people are born deaf. From
invented a notation system that allowed her to
these over 100 people are estimated to use
write body movements for dance choreography.
Maltese Sign Language, which is the local sign
This was the birth of DanceWriting. While Sutton
language with its own hand gestures and other
was teaching at the Royal Danish Ballet, the sign
body movements. Worldwide, around 300 different
language researcher Lars von der Lieth thought her
sign languages are used. I learnt Maltese Sign
system could be adapted to encode sign language.
Language from the Deaf community, and before I
The same notation-system could represent hand-
started my academic work, I was the first full-time
shapes and movements, spatial locations and
sign language interpreter in Malta, hired in 2001
orientations, as well as facial expressions and body
by the Maltese Deaf People’s Association which
movement. Sutton dedicated her life to the growth
was founded in 1973. For years, I helped empower
and spread of the writing system that can be used
deaf people simply by interpreting and channelling
by deaf people all over the world.
their communication to be able to participate
Today the system has transformed into the fully
fully in Maltese society. During this time, I also
developed International SignWriting Alphabet
noticed how much deaf people enjoy being in each
(ISWA 2010) used worldwide. It consists of 652
other’s company and use Maltese Sign Language
BaseSymbols required to write any sign language
spontaneously, a language I learnt and fell in love
in the world. These SignWriting symbols represent
with as well. With SignWriting I saw the beautiful
distinct hand-shapes, their location and orientation
reaction of Deaf people as they discovered the
in relation to the body, facial expressions, and
relationship between signing and written signs,
movements that characterise sign languages.
which corresponds to the relationship between
Deaf signers can represent signs in writing in the
spoken and written language. When they learn
same way as words in spoken languages represent
SignWriting they can express themselves in written
sounds. The main difference is that sign languages
form in their own language to write poetry, novels,
do not use the sounds, but instead use visuals and
or love letters if they wish. They have started to
gestures to create units of meaning.
realise that their language is as important as
Feature
I
n the 1970s the ballerina Valerie Sutton was
43
HEAD WITH A SMILE
HEAD WITH
EYEBROWS RAISED
HEAD WITH AIR PUFFED
OUT OF MOUTH
The signing space is used grammatically in LSM and other sign languages to
mark pronominal/agreement locations. Colour white: 1st person, yellow 2nd
person, red 3rd person left and right.
Head glyphs with further glyphs representing the ‘smile’, ‘eyebrows-up’ and
air puffed out
Left: A few handshape glyphs following the pattern of hand
orientation by means of regular shading of the glyphs
(Images courtesy of www.signwriting.org)
spoken languages. All of this motivated
My study attempted to use the study
instructs its users in the SignWriting
me to start a doctorate in Maltese
of the grammar to develop a language-
of Maltese sign language was also
SignWriting.
specific SignWriting . My study helped
completed. Deaf people find this very
establish an orthography (language-
manageable and rewarding.
In Malta, no one had ever
undertaken a study in Maltese Sign
specific rules of a writing system) that
To this end, between 2008
Language at doctoral level. The
built upon the previous publications,
and 2010, I worked on the Sign
grammar of this language had several
such as the Maltese Sign Language
Language Research project of the
aspects that still needed a description.
Dictionary volumes. A manual that
Institute of Linguistics (University of
Malta) to translate children’s stories
into Maltese Sign Language. One
publication was the Christmas story
WHAT IS SIGNWRITING?
(on CD) that includes excerpts from
the Gospels of Luke and Matthew.
Such publications help increase
Written Maltese Sign Language may look like hieroglyphs or Chinese
literacy amongst the Deaf, who have
script. However, this writing system has nothing in common with these.
the additional difficulty of never
SignWriting is a featural writing system where every symbol represents
having heard how words are spoken
a feature of sign language such as a handshape or hand movement.
as hearing people do. It is hoped that
SignWriting resembles ancient Korean, where the symbols represent
this work will serve to continue to
the actual physical articulation of the language. For example, in ancient
push towards their empowerment
Korean the ‘t’ sound would be represented by a symbol that shows the
which can only be achieved if more
tongue touching the roof of the mouth that occurs in the production of
interpreting services are made
the sound ‘t’.
available. These services would ensure
Feature
access to the same opportunities as
44
everyone else.
Karl Borg conversing using his hands to express himself in Maltese Sign Language with Keith Callus who receives it through vision. Photo by Jean Claude Vancell
LET’S AGREE
So if the hand moves straight ahead it
Reference to personal pronouns in
the result means ASK-YOU. On the
in space. The first is a point on the
signer’s body. The second a point
straight ahead of the signer’s body.
The third is a point to the side of the
signer’s body. These points relate to
the 1st (I/me), 2nd (you), and 3rd person
(he/him) person. Now by pointing to
these (with an index finger) a signer
can create pronouns: me/I, you, and
him/her. Coupled with this, there are
a certain group of verbs in Maltese
Sign Language that ‘agree’ with these
points. The hands move towards these
points and sort of ‘attach’ (or affix) to
them. So in a verb like STAQSA (ASK),
the hand is not an index finger shape
but more like the handshape of the OK
It is hoped
that this work
will serve to
continue to push
towards their
empowerment
that can only
be achieved if
more interpreting
services are made
available.
other hand, if the hand moves to the
side of the signer it attaches itself to
the 3rd person point and the result is
ASK-HIM/HER.
Maltese Sign Language agreement
verbs need to be properly marked in
SignWriting in order to be read with
ease. This is because, within what
looks like a single sign, often multiple
elements can be marked. Just as the
single Maltese word fakkarthiela (the
equivalent in English of ‘I reminded her
of it’) is made up of the verb ‘fakkar’ (to
remind) ‘t’ (past tense plus 1st person
singular ‘I’) ‘hie’ (feminine ‘it’)
and ‘lha’ (to her), the same sign can
simultaneously indicate subject, object,
as well as adjectives and adverbs.
gesture produced by scuba divers. This
In some cases, simply writing the
hand can move to the different points
notation to indicate left or right does
in space and mean different things.
not adequately indicate to which
Feature
sign language is based on three points
attaches to the 2nd person point and
45
person the verb refers. Pronouns and
now open to sign language being
person marking on verbs are crucial. If
both a mix of linguistic and gestural
in signwriting Maltese Sign language, I
these are not indicated in the written
features. My findings push forward the
introduced the adoption of an ‘anchor’
form, Maltese Sign Language cannot
argument that agreement marking is
be read properly. Once these are
grammatical. It needs to be learnt and
combination of this anchor with another
clearly marked, subjects and objects
must be marked in the written form.
marker to identify different location
of verbs—the ‘doers’ of actions or who
This strengthens the argument that
points in space can show the different
did what to whom—can be identified.
Maltese Sign Language is a complete
locations for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person
language.
(right and left) points. This allows the
Sign linguists disagree whether
agreement marking is properly
indicated in grammar or whether
agreement simply indicates where to
point in space. If pronoun marking
does not exist in a patterned
systematic way, then some would
argue that sign language is not
actually ‘language’ (since a signer
would be simply pointing to things).
Whilst this was a controversial issue
Feature
in the 1970s, most sign linguists are
46
SignWriting
evolved from
a ballerina’s
invention to write
choreography, into
a way to write
many different
sign languages
across the globe.
Dr Maria Galea
In order to disambiguate pronominals
(a shoulder glyph). The
relationship between the signer’s chest
location and the pronominal points to
become graphically clear; the signer
can indicate exactly which action is
happening to whom.
SignWriting evolved from a
ballerina’s invention to write
choreography, into a way to write
many different sign languages across
the globe. SignWriting is now so
widespread that Sutton, the inventor, is
no longer able to list and record all uses
of SignWriting worldwide. SignWriting
enables all Deaf people to write their
native languages, and many languages
already have large compilations of
texts. The next step involved is the
gradual establishment of the different
alphabets and different orthography
rules to write these different sign
languages. My doctorate published the
FURTHER READING
first manual that can help empower
now is a concrete push to help bring
Maltese SignWriting to all Deaf people
in Malta to build a bridge towards
their move into literacy of the spoken
languages, which is an indispensable
tool for educational development.
For more information about SignWriting
visit www.signwriting.org; www.
signbank.org. The Ph.D. was carried
out following the award of a STEPS
(the Strategic Educational Pathways
Scholarship—Malta) scholarship. This
scholarship is part-financed by the
European Union—European Social Fund
(ESF) under Operational Programme
II—Cohesion Policy 2007–2013,
‘Empowering People for More Jobs and a
Better Quality of Life’.
• Azzopardi-Alexander, M. (2003). Maltese Sign Language Dictionary,
Volume 1: Animals. Foundation for the Development of Maltese Sign
Language with the Institute of Linguistics and the Association for the
Deaf: Malta.
• Azzopardi-Alexander, M. (2004). Maltese Sign Language Dictionary,
Volume 2: Places. Foundation for the Development of Maltese Sign
Language with the Institute of Linguistics and the Association for the
Deaf: Malta.
• Galea, M. (2008). Rakkonti tal-Milied bil-Kitba tal-Lingwa tas-Sinjali
Maltija (LSM) [Christmas Stories in SignWriting of Maltese Sign Language
(LSM)]. Malta: Institute of Linguistics, University of Malta. Retrieved
February 27, 2014 from http://bit.ly/1JJFNqQ
• Galea, M. (2014). SignWriting (SW) of Maltese Sign Language (LSM) and
its development into an orthography: Linguistic considerations. Doctoral
dissertation, Institute of Linguistics, University of Malta.
• Sutton, V. (2011). The SignWriting alphabet: The International SignWriting
Alphabet 2010, ISWA 2010. La Jolla: The SignWriting Press. Retrieved
February 27, 2014 http://bit.ly/1IylE47
Feature
Maltese deaf people. What is needed
47
MALTA
Stockholm Syndrome
(or why we love the British)
Between 1798 and 1800, Malta changed hands three times. The feudal
Knights were easily replaced by Napoleonic France, whom the Maltese initially
welcomed, then revolted against a mere 82 days later ushering in the British
Empire. 'Why?' is a mystery lost in the history books that gloss over the period
demonising Napoleon while exalting the British who ruled Malta as a colony till
independence in 1964. The Editor met Dr Charles Xuereb to find out.
C
an you imagine 10% of the
dominant ruler since 1530. They did not tax the
population being killed? Or one in
Maltese or allow them to become knights. When
every 10 people you know losing
Maltese writer and philosopher Mikiel Anton
their life and being forgotten?
Vassalli suggested that Maltese citizens should be
Their sacrifice for Church, God, and
allowed into the Order he was imprisoned.
country was lost in time till Dr Charles Xuereb’s
prominence would have been through the Curia
Collective Memory) brought their sacrifice back
(Catholic Church). The Curia owned one third of
to light.
the Islands through a clever scheme invented a few
I was shocked. 10,000 Maltese died in what
property to the Church in their will. ‘The income
and the city folk between 1798 and 1800. This
of that property [would fund] masses for your
was a time of fallen-from-grace-knights, French
soul forever,’ explained Dr Charles Xuereb. Instant
Revolution Napoleonic France, Imperialist Britain
forgiveness. Malta must have had quite a few guilty
and an all-powerful Church. And in 1798, Malta
consciences.
Before the arrival of the French, three
Feature
hundred years earlier. Rich sinners could leave their
partly resembles a civil war between rural Malta
became centre stage of this conflict.
48
Really, the only way for the Maltese to gain
long overdue book (France in the Maltese
The third power centre was the Inquisition, but
although strong they were doomed to the history
institutions jostling for power ruled Malta. The
books; that institution should never have lasted so
Order of the Knights of St John had been the
long.
49
Feature
A BLOODLESS INVASION?
in our hearts something against the
This situation pre-1798 left the
happened] 217 years ago? What’s
Maltese oppressed, exploited, and
the reason? The [Maltese] collective
rather unhappy. Vassalli led around
memory [has been manipulated to]
11,000 insurgents who then merged
demonise the French period.’
French [because of something that
with the Jacobins that helped
Elements of this influence can
Bonaparte take over the Island on
be seen till today. I recently visited
12th June 1798. A year before landing
the new Heritage Malta National
on Malta, Bonaparte stated that
War Museum at Fort St Elmo (built
nearly 40,000 people supported the
by the Order). While nicely laid
French in Malta, just under 40% of
out with proper contextualisation
the population. Xuereb bases these
of colonial powers, the exhibition
statements on several accounts—
puzzled me. It goes at length to
including his own research—through
explain how Napoleon improved
archival letters, meetings, and
Malta: the liberties, education (he
documents, in addition to British,
even encouraged Maltese to study
pro-British Maltese, and just one
French account (by Frenchman, Jean de
Bosredon de Ransijat). This bloodless
event is not the same history I was
taught at school.
Xuereb contrasts this with Canon
Panzavecchia’s account published in
1835, the first Maltese point of view
of the reviewed period. Panzavecchia,
who was one year old in 1798,
influenced many subsequent history
books. Panzavecchia describes ‘two
years of calamitous occupation’ after
an invasion that saw Bonaparte trick
the Order into submission. He also
mentions a degrading convention, with
the Maltese being forced to sign an
unfavourable treaty to integrate Malta
as part of France in 1798. He forgets
to mention the benefits Napoleon
Most Maltese
perceive the
French as
evildoers who
pillaged our
churches carrying
off all our silver,
who stole the
Knights’ treasures,
and caused
endless harm to
Malta.
brought to the country, the support
Feature
so on, but it failed to explain why the
Maltese revolted after less than three
months of French rule. It mentions that
Napoleon bombarded Valletta, then
mentions that no blood was spilled.
French ship cannons must have been
notoriously inaccurate. Maybe that
is why they lost at Trafalgar. It seems
to be contradictory with previous
smear campaigns while keeping with
the facts, leaving an impression of
confusion on visitors.
Apart from a rigorous historical
analysis, Xuereb uses analysis of
collective memory theory to figure out
why the Maltese memory is blocked.
He focuses on Maurice Halbwachs’
presentist theory of collective memory,
but mentions many others like Pierre
Nora and Paul Ricoeur. Importantly,
he elicited, or the bloodless ‘invasion’.
and caused endless harm to Malta.
this theory coalesced the concept of
Panzavecchia was celebrated and
Xuereb analysed the Maltese collective
collective identity with how memories
achieved a good position soon after the
memory to discover why it was
are shared between countries. The
British approved the publication. The
blocked, and still hinges on this anti-
Maltese collective memory is what
time of press liberty had not yet come.
French attitude. This attitude is bizarre.
gives Maltese people an identity, as
An account like Panzavecchia’s
50
in Paris), the abolition of slavery, and
Italy and Germany both bombed Malta
remembered through ‘images of the
influenced the Maltese collective
in World War II but ‘we don’t hate
past through places, monuments, and
memory: the shared memory of a group
the Germans for that, we don’t hate
rituals of commemoration’, writes
of people. Most Maltese perceive the
the Italians, they are close to us and
Xuereb. These interpretations are
French as evildoers who pillaged our
remain very close’ he told me during
also always reflected in the present.
churches carrying off all our silver,
our interview, his voice becoming
In Malta, many of our place names,
who stole the Knights’ treasures,
passionate. ‘Why are we still keeping
monuments and public holidays are
British leaning. The British had a lot to
gain by making the Maltese love them;
but before we get to why the French
were demonised, let us continue with
our story.
MALTESE WAR CRIMES
The stage has been set. 1798:
Bonaparte is heading to Egypt while
Nelson is fast chasing him. He knows
that in Malta, he can quickly and
easily overthrow the rich despotic
knights thanks to local support, while
replenishing his troops and coffers.
On 9th June he arrived in Malta and
by the 12th he had taken it over without
shedding blood. His troops landed
in several places including Spinola to
water the fleet at the infamous Bjar ta’
With the troops watered and fed,
went with a group of soldiers to St
history books paint this as subterfuge
Napoleon’s next problem was money.
Catherine’s convent in Valletta near St
by the French to sneak an attack on
He cleverly relocated the knights’
Dominic’s church and tried to [steal].’
the Knights, while official documents
Grandmaster to France, while taking
Bonaparte ordered that all of them be
show that the watering process was
over their possessions. With the
executed. He relented by condemning
documented.
Church ‘there was an agreement in
only the most senior officer to the
front of three notaries’ for silver and
firing squad, there and then. Bonaparte
property in exchange for ‘St John’s
clearly wanted to show that pillaging
Co-Cathedral which, up to then, the
was not allowed in Malta. In fact, he
Maltese Curia could not use, but they
had plans to use some of the silver and
were invited as guests occasionally. […]
Church property for education and
The first mass by the Maltese bishop,
hospitals. The French also planned to
Labini, was celebrated on 14th July
tax the Maltese—a new concept—to be
1798 […] and, whenever the French
able to provide government services
took silver, it was documented. [In
for the country. This must have
fact,] there are published calculations
annoyed several nobles and clergymen.
with how much the government
A major thorn blocking the Maltese
received from the Church—written
collective memory from forgiving the
details of every item—a sum that
French is that Bonaparte took many of
amounted to circa €49,000.’ The
the Order’s treasures. British historians
French took a lot of silver to fund
said he loaded L’Orient, his flagship,
Malta’s administration and their war,
with over a million pounds' worth of
but they did not steal it all.
loot. Other historians calculated that
The French did pillage. ‘We know of
this was much less, but the facts are
four small incidents. [French soldiers]
hard to verify. When recent underwater
were reported by parish priests to
searches examined the resting place of
have stolen some silver and priests’
L’Orient in Aboukir no Maltese treasure
vestments. […] Bonaparte, on his
was ever found. The French did take
second day in Malta executed one of
some artefacts, famously La Valette’s
his senior officers because [the officer]
ceremonial sword now exhibited at
Feature
Napuljun (cisterns of Napoleon). The
51
the Louvre. The French took the item,
the historical and successful peasants’
together with several others, as part
revolt.’ But why would God-abiding
the revolt. It started on 2nd September,
of the legal agreement they signed
clergymen push the Maltese to revolt?
when the government was auctioning
with the Order. But if France is serious
On 10 June 1798, two days before
off appropriated property belonging
about improving the Maltese collective
the Order surrendered, Labini—the
to religious orders. Ironically, this
memory it should be returned—a point
Bishop of Malta—offered Mdina’s
government was made up of ‘two
Xuereb fails to emphasise. It is common
keys to the French and invited French
[French] out of 70 [Maltese]’. The
practice for the old colonial powers to
General Vaubois to lunch at the
initial clashes soon turned into the
return ill-gotten items to their rightful
Episcopal Palace. ‘But then the Church
massacre of over 60 French soldiers
owner. This also applies to the British,
realised that it would lose much of
in Mdina, together with their women
who captured the French Sensible in
the privileges it had over the people
and children. The soldiers were cut
1798, which did have several Maltese
[of Malta].’ These privileges included
open with their livers removed, cooked,
artifacts like Ximenes’ canon that the
growing tithes, stipends from the
and eaten. Maltese sympathisers
British never returned.
Curia, payments for services to the
either ate human liver or faced death.
parishioners (funerals and payments for
Such violence left little choice for the
government and liberal reforms, the
receiving the sacraments), one tenth
peasantry: either force the French out
Maltese revolted against the French
of peasants’ harvest, rent, and a few
or face severe repercussions.
by 2nd September 1798. ‘After 82 days
more. It was a very different Church
Other violent incidents occurred.
[the Maltese] rose against the French,
from today. The revolt was led by a
After Mdina, the peasant army led by
whom they had previously asked for
prominent merchant, clergyman Canon
the clergy circled the built-up harbour
liberation. It doesn’t make sense.’ said
Caruana, and Fraternity Rector Emanuel
region and started the two-year long
Xuereb, ‘I remember him [Xuereb’s
Vitale with a few other businessmen
siege on the 4,000 strong French army
Lyceum history teacher] telling me …
such as cotton entrepreneur Vincenzo
within. In two vicious incidents, two
“Xuereb that is a pertinent question
Borg, who used to supply the Order
young boys and a lady were brutally
but there are no answers. We know
but was now risking failure. For the
killed when leaving the besieged area
so little about what really happened,
successful revolt, the Canon was
for vegetables, while a French soldier
and you have to dig very deeply to find
rewarded by being
the truth.”’ Now Xuereb seems to have
anointed Bishop
found that truth.
of Malta. The
After introducing a new Republican
Feature
In 1798 Malta did not have one
52
th
Church had good
unified population (neither does it
reason to counter-
today, being split between a red and
revolt and reverse
blue political split). Xuereb uncovered
Bonaparte’s reform.
a great divide. ‘The upper classes of
The British cleverly
the Maltese [in the harbour region]
realised the power
appeared to favour the French,’ writes
of the Church and
Xuereb, while ‘the illiterate villagers,
supported the
“dominated by the clergy,” executed
Catholics.
Another clue lies in the brutality of
NOTEWORTHY PEOPLE TO REMEMBER
Mikiel Anton Vassalli (1764–1829) needs to remembered with a
monument in Valletta. In Paris there is a new authentic description of
Vassalli that Xuereb found in 2013. Vassalli was not just as a linguist but
as a patriot and politician. He has not been wholly rehabilitated.
Another monument should be dedicated to the 10,000 people who
perished between 1798–1800 no matter which side they fought for. They
should be included in a monument that remembers the event without
taking sides.
head left on a spike. Xuereb thinks
that the clergy and traders bought the
services of mercenaries. They then
used them to tie the hands of the
Maltese peasants into a fully-fledged
countryside revolt. These mercenaries
were probably the very slaves
Bonaparte’s reforms had just freed.
On 1st September 1800, Alexander
Ball estimated 3,000 troops were
occupying the front posts besieging
the French. The author Cavaliero
had stated that Bonaparte had freed
around 2,000 slaves—1,400 Moors
and 600 Turks—who would have
been treated brutally before being
freed, much more likely culprits to the
Malta managed
to beat one of the
greatest powers of
the 18th century,
a victory that left
at least 10,000
Maltese dead.
[...] Till today, the
victory is not even
celebrated as a
national holiday.
atrocities.
Xuereb then goes on to say that,
fort and port. When the French
surrendered due to the combined
efforts of a British sea blockade and
Maltese-led land siege, the Maltese
were not involved in any treaties.
The 5th September 1800 capitulation
basically signed Malta off to the British.
The British were meant to leave, but
did not—not that the Maltese wanted
the Order back. This handover was
cemented in 1814. In the meantime
the Maltese tried to claim their political
rights but failed. Malta was deemed
unfit to govern itself.
The Catholic Church supported
British rule in Malta; an uneasy
relationship at times, since the Church
still owned one third of their colony.
However, ‘the British had a trick with
(when hostages empathise with their
the local Church; they used to go to
when the French fell, there were
captors) in the Maltese. For all the
the Holy See first. […] The Holy See
‘summary executions, attacks on
brutalities committed, Malta managed
used to accept a lot of the British
property, punishment, and banishment’
to beat one of the greatest powers
proposals in Malta because it was
of Maltese. Jacobins, doctors, and
of the 18th century, a victory that left
working hard to gain recognition
magistrates were killed, proper trials
at least 10,000 Maltese dead. The
of Catholics in England. Catholics
appearing unnecessary. This seemingly
greatest loss of life ever experienced.
were still barred from all the major
contrasts with a people unable to
Till today, the victory is not even
positions in government. In return, they
commit atrocities, and seems more
celebrated as a national holiday. By
accepted any proposal that [the British]
likely to be committed by mercenaries.
glossing over this part of history, the
wanted for Malta,’ explained Xuereb.
British made sure that the Maltese
Bizarrely, it reached a point where the
would never gain the ‘self-confidence
‘Anglican Head of Church sanctioned
to aim at total autonomy.’
the Head of the Church in Malta.’ For
WHY THE FRENCH HAVE A
BAD REPUTATION IN MALTA
The British did not want to empower
example, Archbishop Michael Gonzi
The British had every reason to
the Maltese, but instead wanted a
‘was appointed because the British
encourage the Stockholm Syndrome
servile colony to be used as a military
consented. [Archbishop Joseph
Feature
was beheaded for eating a fig, his
53
CORRECTING THE
COLLECTIVE MEMORY
Feature
The French came to liberate
the Maltese from a despotic,
ailing Order from the feudal era.
Vassalli’s nationalistic aspirations
made this possible. After the
French Revolution, a republican
system of government was put
into place in Malta to secularise
administration and give people
rights. Ecclesiastical leaders
aided by the British Navy in the
Mediterranean stopped all of this
progress and restored privileges
to the elite, justifying the counter
revolt by demonising the French
as anti-religious and anti-Maltese.
As a result, public education was
delayed for another 80 years and
representative government for
more than a century. Malta was
humbled into a fortress colony
and its people deemed unable to
govern themselves.
54
Mercieca] was the first [unsanctioned]
seems to have been made [but] we are
bishop.’ The British made sure that
still far from making history our vehicle
even the Church was British-leaning,
to help future generations ‘self-define
cleverly reversing some French reforms
and identify’ themselves as new proud
and slowly reintroducing what suited
members of a liberated community’,
them with the above tactic.
states Xuereb.
The Maltese also realised that ‘the
more they appease the colonisers,
the more opportunities they would
BECOMING MALTESE
have to obtain posts, receive business
The manipulation of the perception
privileges, and gain pensions.’ So,
of the British by the Maltese—the
the Maltese started to love their
collective memory—is very extensive.
oppressors, ignoring that the Maltese
Till today, in Malta’s capital there are
education system was pushed ‘back by
‘eight outsized British coats of arms
80 years from when Bonaparte wanted
around the Maltese Presidential Palace
to introduce free education in 1798.
[built by the Order, and] over twenty
The British introduced public education
British monuments, the majority of
in 1878.’ When they did introduce it,
sepulchral nature [that] make more
they controlled it. Back in 1813, British
sense in a British naval cemetery,’
governors of Malta had orders to ‘do
opines Xuereb. Maltese heroes have not
whatever it takes to make the Maltese
received the same standing.
loyal to the British crown’ according
So why have Maltese politicians
to Xuereb. Maltese sovereignty was
with over 50 years of Independence
stalled by over 120 years till the Sette
not put matters straight? Xuereb
Giugno (7th June 1919 bread protests
thinks that British indoctrination is still
with four Maltese shot dead) riots
too widespread—take as an example
forced the British to accede some
how the Anglican British joined local
self-governship rights to Malta. In
band clubs and sat on the right hand
his book, Xuereb goes through a
of the Catholic Archbishop. The largest
rigorous account of how the historical
axe Xuereb grinds is the George Cross
accounts written by ‘British forces
on the Maltese flag. King George
personnel and ecclesiastical appeasers’
VI placed the George Cross on the
distorted history to suit the colonisers:
Maltese flag on 29th December 1943
French are evil, British are good
for Malta’s valour in WWII. ‘It is a
and have saved the Maltese. ‘Since
medal of […] courage, but a medal is
Independence [in 1964] some progress
for a museum. On a flag it becomes
a symbol. […] We are practically
sympathisers or its symbolism is
to distort the French connection, and
one of the last ex-colonies who still
forgotten.
likewise, it would be wrong to erase the
carries the symbol of colonialism on
Removing the George Cross from
British one after Independence.’
our flag.’ Fiji and New Zealand are
Malta’s national flag is not the only
both planning to redesign their flags.
change Xuereb advocates. Our
needs a proper citizenship campaign
Xuereb does not think the Maltese
politicians ‘relegated the Sette Giugno
that identifies what is Maltese and
associate with this colonial symbol
monument to the periphery of our
what a Maltese citizen could be proud
at all. The Maltese Cross—not the
capital city’ while the city’s founder La
of besides modern politicians and
George Cross—is found on Maltese
Vallette was ‘dumped behind the ruins
legends of bravery. Visionary Maltese
Euro coins, in logos, in Malta-branded
of the Opera House, now half-baked
who gave all their energy, personal
patterns, sports, on the National
into some kind of unfinished symphony.’
belongings and, sometimes, their lives
airline, the examples are endless. Back
These decisions need to be corrected.
should be acknowledged even if they
in the 60s and 70s, it made political
sense to keep the George Cross:
The Maltese heroes ‘Vassalli,
Xuereb outlines it best: ‘the country
are not well known. Let us stand on
Mitrovich, Sciberras need to be
our two feet and stop feeling inferior
‘Maltese people were
remembered,’ states Xuereb. History
by adopting colonial symbols and
still employed by British
needs to be more balanced with more
monuments erroneously believing that
forces in Malta and
than one narrative taught to children.
it would distinguish us internationally.
there were still Maltese
‘Young Maltese citizens should be
On the contrary, it is only prolonging
on [British-paid]
brought up respecting their own
our mediocrity.’ Throughout our history,
pensions.’ Now, it seems
national story. With research, critical
it seems that the Maltese people have
that the George Cross
analysis, and debate we should put
done their best with the short end of
is either vehemently
each and every past relationship in its
the stick. Malta needs to cure itself of
supported by British
proper dimension. […] It was wrong
the Stockholm Syndrome.
Watch the video interviews on
http://bit.ly/1JR2vLa
channel
www.youtube.com/user/ThinkUni
Feature
Subscribe to our
55
BOOK REVIEW
by Dr Jurgen Gatt
God is Not Great, How Religion
Poisons Everything
CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS
Quill Rating:
P
lease accept my apologies for reviewing a
Hitchens’ writing style is brilliant and
well-known book by a renowned, and late,
provocative, as one quote will easily prove,
atheist almost ten years after publication. My
‘[...called] Manger Square, the centre of a tourist
reasons for doing so are threefold. Firstly, the book
trap of such unrelieved tawdriness as to put
and author have both lost some of their notoriety
Lourdes itself to shame’.
with younger students. Secondly, the book should
be long-winded and rather undermine the joy of
and will, with luck, generate conversation across
reading the book. Instead, I will consider Hitchens’
disciplines. And finally, the book is brilliantly
most interesting and original argument; religion
written, cleverly argued, and deserves to be read
harms individuals and societies. Hitchens argues
particularly after the dust of the New-Atheist
his point principally by historical arguments, as
movement has started (perhaps) to settle.
any good ex-Marxist would. In this way, Hitchens
Christopher Hitchens was an Oxford-educated
is a man-made construct with which a priestly
whiskey. He is famous for his stance on the Iraq
caste of people attempts to place itself in a position
war (he was a fervent advocate) and for his staunch
of real power in this world. To illustrate his point,
anti-theism. God is Not Great is the culmination
Hitchens suggests that the fatwa against Salman
of a life-long effort to wrestle with the problem
Rushdie issued in 1988 by Ayatollah Khomeini
of religion. It is, perhaps, for this reason that
was an attempt to create an issue to distract his
the book reads like a series of essays united by
Islamic subjects. The argument, as it stands, fails
autobiographical touches and by the author’s
to completely convince and attempts to prove only
presence which hangs on every page.
the second part of Hitchens thesis. Yet Hitchens
atheist. It frequently challenges the reader to
Fun
attempts to prove his fundamental thesis: religion
journalist with a prodigious ability to consume
Yet the book is far more than a memoir of an
56
To dwell on the author’s many arguments would
appeal to both to humanities and science students
assures that more arguments lie in wait.
Finally, a climatic suggestion: the Maltese
reflect on his own beliefs and ideas. It piques
summer is an ideal time to read this book. What
the reader’s interest in a matter of history, an
better, after a much-yearned-for, post-exam swim,
argument, a poem.
than to contemplate the existence of God?
BOARD GAME REVIEW
by David Chircop
T
he ‘draw a card and see what you
family friendly adventure game with a
bits are actual amber), and it has stellar
encounter’ mechanic in board
sticker on it that said ‘with real amber
graphic design. Amber Route stands out
inside!’ I wanted to know more.
for breaking the mould. Call it indie, call
games is strangely appealing. Despite
being undeniably simple, it has sparked
In Amber Route you draw a card to
it experimental, whatever it is: I like it.
the imagination of many people over
see what you will encounter next. The
the years—especially in the fantasy
difference here is that, while in Talisman
have gone out of their way to make
adventure genre. Most famously, Steve
you’d fight a generic orc or some other
the game as language independent as
Jackson’s best-selling hit Munchkin,
fantasy trope, in Amber Route, you
possible. All text within the game is, in
controversially used it as the only
draw and try to beat creatures from
fact, replaced with iconography which
tangible mechanic.
slavic folklore. Charming. The gameplay
is a pleasure to interact with. You will
itself is simple and intuitive—perfectly
need to get used to the symbols till
dominator, which has spawned a
fitting for the adventure game’s target
they sink in, and that’s fine. The rules,
multitude of variations and expansions.
audience—and features a few twists.
however, are slightly problematic with
So it has always intrigued me when
Amber Route’s board presents a race
a confusing layout and poor translation.
other companies decide to challenge
to the finish through tiles which fit
I had to make too much effort to find
the well-established franchises. The
into each other in a puzzle-style
the relevant paragraphs every time
genre is old. The simple ‘draw a card
contraption. The result is a sure start,
I turned a page. A couple of other
and see who you meet’ mechanic is
and a finish with a vast range of
problems are that the game is a little
even older. Yet it keeps reappearing.
possibilities of what you fit in between.
too easy and the gameplay itself is
Routes can be short or long, hard or
nothing special, but neither of them is a
Internationale Spieltage SPIEL
easy, random or defined. All dependant
deal breaker.
board game fair last year, at a booth
on the order of strips of land that lock
that really caught my eye. I hadn’t
together. The result is a fascinating,
surprisingly fresh take on an overused
heard of the Polish company called
light, visually gorgeous adventure that
formula. It was an enjoyable product
Bomba Games but their artwork was
does not overstay its welcome—unlike
to explore not only as a game but as a
astounding. They only had two games
Talisman. Most importantly, is that it’s
physical object within itself. Whatever
on display, Black & White, a tactical
different. It explores a new realm, it
you do Bomba, do not fire your art
block war-game, and Amber Route, a
allows you to feel real minerals (yes, the
director.
Talisman is another genre market
I discovered it again at the
The designers of the game seem to
Overall, Amber Route struck me as a
Fun
Amber Route
Designed by Krzysztof Matusik
Published by Bomba Games
57
TECH NEWS
by Ryan Abela
Move over Minority Report
I
n 1964 a very clever engineer, called
controlled by the movement of a finger.
a demo of the real deal: HoloLens
Douglas Engelbart, invented a tiny
How cool would it be to have these
(available in January 2016 with
device that changed the whole concept
types of devices? What if we could go
Windows 10). The HoloLens is yet
of how we interact with machines. By
beyond the screen and blend the digital
another head-mounted display—
moving the device, a pointer on a screen
and real world? Well, now we can.
similar to Occulus Rift—that ‘inserts’
moved, while tapping a button with your
Microsoft invests a lot of research
holograms or virtual objects in your
finger would cause an action. I’m talking
in augmented reality and virtual space.
display, while still showing the real
about the mouse—a device now taken
In 2010, the Kinect was introduced,
surrounding environment. Imagine
for granted—but back in its inception it
with cameras and an infrared sensor
wearing a pair of clear glasses while
had revolutionised the way we instructed
capable of capturing body and skeletal
looking at a table. Now imagine that
machines. Instead of giving commands
movements. Initially this let people
you put a small sticker of a little teacup
through a keyboard, the mouse made it
play games through body motion,
on your glasses. If you now position
possible to work in 2D.
then others soon started using its APIs
yourself in the right spot you will get
(Application Programme Interface) in
the impression that the cup is sitting
the monitor, with new variations
creative ways like scrolling through the
on the table. The HoloLens works in the
emerging. Nevertheless, despite all of
windows on the monitor, or to apply
same way.
these advancements we are still using
sound effects by combining different
the same concepts from the 60s. Our
hand gestures. This new way to interact
HoloLens? Their demo shows that for
technology is still limited to 2D. We still
was strikingly similar to Minority Report.
the first time we can work in a real 3D
The mouse kept evolving. So did
construct 3D models on a 2D monitor,
Occulus VR™ that made virtual reality
hand-gesture technology with voice
and input our instructions by moving
possible. Their device, called the
recognition technology into one device.
a pointer in 2D space. Thankfully,
Occulus Rift, consists of a head-
Apart from easily visualising your work
science fiction has inspired new
mounted display that is sensitive to
in 3D, the applications of this device
innovations. I remember the first time I
head movements. In a nutshell, what
are endless, with immersive games and
saw Tom Cruise use a glove to control a
you see on the display is related to the
intelligent systems entering your life.
futuristic UI (User Interface) in Minority
way you move your head.
and forth. It seemed like a hologram
Fun
environment. Microsoft also combined
play 3D games on our flat screens,
Report by swiping his hands back
58
The next leap forward was by
So what’s the big deal about
Microsoft retaliated. They pushed
the boundaries by showing the world
Watch: http://bit.ly/1xYiiyY for a
demonstration.
Dr James Corby
MY 100 WORD IDEA
TO CHANGE MALTA
Elective student stipends
DOES THE
KRAKEN EXIST?
Alexander Hili
‘Release the Kraken’ is a very famous quote from Clash of
the Titans. In the movie scene, a monstrous being, with
characteristics of both squid and octopus, is summoned from
The Kraken is clearly a mythological creature, but the
economy, and yet it is chronically underfunded. The
colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) is very real. The
University performs well despite underfunding, so
monstrously large squid grows to an estimated 12–14 m in
imagine the heights that could be scaled with more
length and has sharp swivelling or three-pointed hooks on
adequate support.
its limbs. The bloated carcasses of this organism could have
My idea? Scrap the scandalously outmoded
inspired the ancients. Large adults have never been caught
stipends system. Instead, make student financial
since it is thought to live around 2.2 km beneath the water’s
support entirely elective (students decide whether
surface when it develops. Like the Kraken it is a very elusive
they want support); money is then given to students
creature that is rarely seen.
as an interest-free loan, which they only start to
Illustration by Joery Verweij
the sea to smash a city to the ground.
The University of Malta is central to our knowledge
repay once they have graduated and are earning
more than a minimum threshold salary. The money
saved would be directed into research, postgraduate
and postdoctoral initiatives, and infrastructure
and technology.
by Ġorġ Mallia
Fun
Don't THINK
59
FILM REVIEW
by Krista Bonello Rutter Giappone
and Noel Tanti
WYRMWOOD
KRISTA: I am tired of coming across
N: The parodic nod towards torture
breakneck editing, the ‘iconic’ shots.
things I like and forced to feel excluded.
porn is one of the things I liked most
It’s obviously trying to ride on the crest
This film is so obviously ‘for the boys’.
about Wyrmwood. The Doctor is a
of Mad Max by setting the story in a
All-male group and female victim
great character, a cross between Mr
post-apocalyptic landscape with lots
waiting to be rescued. All ‘pop culture’
Blonde, Walter White and Dr Heiter.
of vehicles and scarce fuel. It bothered
symptoms are there—the ‘woman in
It also exposes what’s wrong with bad
me.
refrigerator’, the ‘smurfette’, the ‘damsel
torture porn. The lab scenes are rather
in distress’. She does rescue herself
disturbing without being too graphic
K: I liked the heightened artificiality
in the end, but that’s two-thirds into
whereas usually it works the other way
of the blue-red colour (well, blue
the film and too late to participate in
round.
and blood) scheme inside the ‘mad
the ‘fun bits’. I’d have preferred to feel
scientist’ truck. That too was a case
included in the intended audience for
K: Agreed. I also liked the ‘magic
of style within a low-budget
armoured vehicles and zombie petrol!
zombie’ touch. Brooke’s unexplained
framework. It contrasted with the grit-
powers nod towards magic
and-grime greyness of the outdoor
NOEL: At first I thought that Brooke
‘necromantic control over the undead’,
sequences.
(Bianca Bradley) would have a more
something we don’t often see in
prominent role. The photoshoot
zombie films. I also liked the little
N: Nobody takes zombies seriously
scene was promising, she sported
visual nods to Romero, the unflagging
anymore so trying to build a sense of
the resourcefulness of Alice from the
pace (which it sustains throughout),
dread is too trite. Even metaphorically,
Resident Evil film franchise. But then
the humour, the violence, and the
zombie films are at a dead end at
it all went downhill. During the lab
action. What distinguished it was the
the moment. So Wyrmwood is the
scenes she was totally upstaged by The
pace. We were thrown into the thick of
antithesis of a film that has something
Doctor (Berryn Schwerdt). She had a
it, so to speak, and it didn’t let up. No
to say. It just plays it for laughs.
comeback of sorts towards the end but
pause in the relentless action.
However this doesn’t mean that the
Fun
it was simply too little too late.
60
Year of release: 2014
Director: Kiah Roache-Turner
Gore Rating: SSSSS
film is ‘silent’. For instance, I found
N: Is there a zombie film that doesn’t
its politics a bit dubious. We already
K: ‘Purer’ torture porn that has women
reference Romero? I liked Wyrmwood
mentioned the ‘boys only’ stance.
as vulnerable victims, but focuses
for the same reasons as you however
What about the only indigenous
throughout on their struggle for survival,
I found it too earnest in trying to be
person being the foolish sidekick who
is perhaps less sexist than something
a cult movie. The handheld camera,
sacrifices himself for the greater good
that relegates women to the periphery.
the fast zooming in on close-ups, the
of the ‘white man’? I didn’t like that.
GAME REVIEW
by Costantino Oliva
HOTLINE
MIAMI 2:
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Playstation 3,
Playstation 4, Playstation Vita
Developer: Dennaton Games/Devolver Digital
WRONG NUMBER
I
ndie games have allowed a new
Hotline Miami 2 keeps all of that
part of the game has been expanded
with a set of new mechanics: players
and the game mechanics have been
to experiment. Nostalgia is a
can now shoot sideways, roll under
completely exploited. Its narrative has
leading trope: defunct genres are
enemy fire, and brandish katanas. The
been exhausted and lost sequential
being resurrected, and the 8-bit
game’s greatest merit is to carefully
logic. It now serves as a backdrop for
aesthetic is a stylistic trademark.
balance unabashed mayhem with
yet another suicide assault.
Adhering to this practice, the first
careful strategy. You will need to
episode of Hotline Miami chewed-
memorise patterns and act quickly at
joy: a well-crafted, ultrafast ride, with
up old-school arcade games and
the right time. And then, do it again
a fantastic, inspired soundtrack. The
nineties ultraviolence, mixing it up
and again.
game is designed to satisfy its fanbase.
generation of creative developers
with a contemporary, psychedelic
audiovisual blend.
As a sequel, Hotline Miami 2 feels
rather conventional. As expected, every
Hotline Miami 2 is undoubtedly a
The struggle continues between
innovation and conservatism.
Research,
Teeth, and
the Community
Wilfred Kenely
P
rof. Nikolai Attard was on the other
rolling. We looked at a number of possibilities,
end of the phone and was passionately
including importing a ready-made mobile dental
describing what he had in mind. ‘A
clinic from the UK, but the costs were prohibitive.
mobile dental clinic will be able to
The most plausible option was to purchase a truck
reach out to the community, schools,
and find someone who could convert it into a high
old people’s homes, village squares and we’ll be
quality dental clinic. This would give us enough
collecting epidemiological data on oral health
breathing space for the RIDT to raise the necessary
which can then be fed into existing health data.
funds while the project was in progress. Having
At the same time we’ll be providing a free dental
obtained the necessary quotations it became
examination and advice to thousands of people,
clear that the project needed a hefty €120,000.
which they will then follow up with their personal
In hand we had a clean sheet and zero funds. So
dentist. This could be a first for Malta.’ Nikolai,
we embarked on a fund-raising initiative. In the
Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (University
meantime, Attard and Dr Gabriella Gatt roped
of Malta), is determined to expand the Faculty’s
in engineer Albert Bonnici, who had experience
teaching activities and promote oral health.
setting up dental clinics.
Research
That was August 2012 and we (the University’s
62
Research Trust; RIDT) immediately set the ball
The first donations started coming in around
January 2013. We bought a DAF truck and,
around March, Bonnici started the conversion
oral health to everyone on the Island despite
work. He laid out all the designs and plans
mobility impairments thus contributing to the
for services, including water, electricity, air
socio-economic wellbeing of our country. It will
conditioning, drains, radiation protection, and so
have see a direct impact on the quality of life of
on, while ensuring that the structure of the truck
the Maltese population, whilst providing vital
was strengthened where needed. The works were
information with regard to the current oral health
carried out in one of the mega-garages which
status of the nation.
form part of the Xpress Group Yard in Ħal Farruġ,
which Albert converted into a workshop. In the
The Mobile Dental Clinic has been made possible
meantime, donations continued flowing in from a
through the generous contributions of GSK
number of sources.
(Malta) Ltd, Cherubino Ltd, Bart Enterprises
Ltd, Suratek Ltd, ProHealth Ltd, Rahuma
to announce that the University of Malta Mobile
International Ltd, the Good Causes Fund, and
Dental Clinic will be on Malta’s roads by the end
Xpress Group Ltd. The Research Trust and
of July this year. The clinic is one of a kind: a
Faculty of Dental Surgery are deeply grateful to
fully equipped dental clinic on wheels on a par
these companies and individuals who made this
with other dental clinics. The clinic will bring
project possible.
Research
Today, almost three years later, we are proud
63
MEME
Meme
CULTURE GENES
64
EVENINGS
on campus
31 JULY-13 AUGUST
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
TNEMMIS/theatre16+ - FRI 31 JUL & SAT 1 AUG // TWISTED TALES/children - SUN 2 AUG
SCIENCE OF HONEY - SUN 2 AUG // THE NOTEBOOK/film12+ (with Maltese Subtitles) - TUE 4 AUG
THE AUDITION/theatre18+ - WED 5 & THU 6 AUG // MISTURA/concert - FRI 7 & SUN 9 AUG
THE TATTOO CULTURE/infotainment - SAT 8 AUG // FROZEN/filmU (with Maltese Subtitles) - MON 10 AUG
COMEDY ON CAMPUS/stand-upcomedy18+ - WED 12 & THU 13 AUG
www.um.edu.mt/eveningsoncampus
TICKETS: ticketline.com.mt // 7984 3480 // at the door