eTHE SOCIETY OF BIOLOGY MAGAZINE ■ ISSN 000Biologist6 3347 ■ SOCIETYOFBIOLOGY.ORG VOL 60 NO 6 ■ DEC 2013/JAN 2014
Shortlisted for BEST BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL MAGAZINE
LIFE IN FOCUS Stunning images from our 2013 photo competition
STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY EDUCATION INTERVIEW DNA DISCOVERIES LABS ONLINE POLAR PIONEER Moving beyond the Can practical science be Jane Francis on double helix taught remotely? Antarctic exploration ECB4ad_UK_final_ad 10/4/13 9:54 AM Page 1
NEW FOURTH EDITION ESSENTIAL CELL BIOLOGY
Essential Cell Biology provides a readily accessible introduction to the central concepts of cell biology, and its lively, clear writing and exceptional illustrations make it the ideal textbook for a first course in both cell and molecular biology. The text and figures are easy-to-follow, accurate, clear, and engaging for the introductory student. Molecular detail has been kept to a minimum in order to provide the reader with a cohesive conceptual framework for the basic science that underlies our current understanding of all of biology, including the biomedical sciences.
The Fourth Edition has been thoroughly revised, covers the latest developments in this fast-moving field, yet retains the academic level and length of the previous edition. The book is accompanied by a rich package of online student and instructor resources, including over 130 narrated movies, an expanded and updated Question Bank, and new enhanced assessments for students.
NEW IN THE FOURTH EDITION • Comprehensive scientific update of the entire text and figures in the book. • New material on regulatory RNAs, epigenetics, induced pluripotent stem cells, cell suicide and reprogramming, Bruce Alberts, University of California, the human genome, and our surprising inheritance San Francisco, USA from Neanderthals. Dennis Bray, University of Cambridge, UK •Based on extensive student feedback, improved Karen Hopkin, Science Journalist and Biochemist, USA discussion and new figures of photosynthesis, metabolism, and DNA repair. Alexander Johnson, University of California, San Francisco, USA • Updated coverage of many exciting, new experimental Julian Lewis, Emeritus, Cancer Research UK, UK techniques including RNAi, optogenetics, the applications of new DNA sequencing technologies, Martin Raff, University College London, UK and the use of mutant organisms to probe the defects Keith Roberts, Emeritus, John Innes Centre, UK underlying human disease. Peter Walter, University of California, • Medically relevant topics include new sections on San Francisco, USA culturing human cells for clinical work, autism and iPS November 2013 • 864 pages • 860 illustrations cells, peroxisomes and disease, cancer changes in key Hardback • 978-0-8153-4454-4 • £105 regulatory pathways, as well as expanded coverage Paperback • 978-0-8153-4455-1 • £53 of amyloid proteins and their role in Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases, the use of genome sequencing to identify the rare mutations that predispose us to disease, and much more. • New and enhanced student self-assessments For UK order enquiries contact: [email protected]. available online.
www.garlandscience.com/ecb4 eTHE SOCIETY OFBiologist BIOLOGY MAGAZINE
Volume 60 No 6 December 2013/January 2014 Contents 18
28
32 14
IN THIS ISSUE 6 Biology Week 24 Keeping it real
THE SOCIETY OF BIOLOGY MAGAZINE ■ ISSN 0006 3347Biologiste ■ SOCIETYOFBIOLOGY.ORG VOL 60 NO 6 ■ DEC 2013/JAN 2014 News
Shortlisted for BEST BUSINESS Highlights from seven days Can UK scientists deliver the & PROFESSIONAL MAGAZINE 4 Society news of life science events, debates lucrative technology expected and awards in October. of synthetic biology? 42 Members 46 Branches 13 Opinion: Survival 28 Breaking the ice LIFE IN Regulars of the fittest Tom Ireland meets the British FOCUS Stunning images from our 2013 photo competition
STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY EDUCATION INTERVIEW 3 Nelson’s column Bob Johnston asks why certain life Antarctic Survey’s Jane Francis. DNA DISCOVERIES LABS ONLINE POLAR PIONEER Moving beyond the Can practical science be Jane Francis on double helix taught remotely? Antarctic exploration
science courses are disappearing. 00_BIO_60_6_COVER.indd 1 28/11/2013 10:23 10 Policy update Cover photo: Jack Settle 32 Seeing is believing 12 Opinion 14 Feeding life Kevin Cox and Roger Gunn 40 Spotlight The best images from this year’s explain how imaging technology 50 Reviews photography competition. is used to develop drugs. 53 Biofeedback 18 The twists and turns of DNA 36 A virtual view 54 Museum piece David Goodsell looks at the Richard Campen on teaching 55 Crossword structural biology of DNA. practicals outside the lab. 56 Final word
Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / THE BIOLOGIST Vol 60 No 6 December 2013/January 2014 Contacts EDITORIAL STAFF Allan Jamieson BSc PhD CBiol FSB Society of Biology Director of Membership, Marketing Catherine Jopling BSc PhD MSB Charles Darwin House, and Communications 12 Roger Street, Susan Omar BSc PGCE CBiol CSci MSB MRSPH FRGS Jon Kudlick London WC1N 2JU Editor Leslie Rose BSc CBiol FSB FICR MAPM Tel: 020 7685 2550 Sue Nelson Fax: 020 3514 3204 Managing Editor [email protected] Tom Ireland MSB ADVISORY PANEL www.societyofbiology.org [email protected] Ian Clarke, Horticulture Research International, UK Communications Assistant Clive Cornford, Unitec, Auckland, New Zealand Views expressed in this magazine are Karen Patel AMSB Sharon Grimster, BioPark, UK not necessarily those of the Editorial [email protected] Board or the Society of Biology. Marios Kyriazis, For membership enquiries call 0844 858 9316 Biogerontologist and anti-ageing physician, UK © 2013 Society of Biology [email protected] Alan Lansdown, Imperial College London, UK (Registered charity no. 277981) For subscription enquiries call 020 7685 2556 Walter Leal Filho, [email protected] Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany ªe Society permits single copying Don McManus, Bancroft Centre, Australia of individual articles for private study or research, irrespective of where EDITORIAL BOARD Peter Moore, King’s College London, UK J Ian Blenkharn MSB FRSPH the copying is done. Multiple copying Brian Osborne, Australia of individual articles for teaching Phil Collier MSc PhD CBiol FSB FLS FHE John Scott, University of Leicester, UK purposes is also permitted without Cameron S Crook BSc MPhil CBiol MSB MIEEM FLS Robert Spooner-Hart, University of specific permission. For copying or Rajith Dissanayake MSc PhD FZS AMSB Western Sydney, Australia reproduction for any other purpose, Catherine Duigan BSc PhD FSB FLS written permission must be sought from Kathleen Weathers, Institute of the Society. Exceptions to the above are John Heritage BA DPhil CBiol FSB Ecosystem Studies, USA those institutions and non-publishing
Sue Howarth BSc PhD CBiol FSB Steve Wilson, Pfizer Animal Health organisations that have an agreement or licence with the UK Copyright Licensing Agency or the US Copyright Clearance Center. Access to the magazine is www.societyofbiology.org/biologyweek available online; please see the Society’s BIOLOGY WEEK 2013 WHAT’S ON website for further details. eBiologist 201312-18 October Monday Biology Week Roadshow Sunday UK Fungus This October sees Saturday e Biologist is produced on behalf the Society’s Day 14 24 hour lecture about ants and bees. Professor Hart will explore second Biology Science presenter Dr Mike Leahy (right) will be touring his 13 the world of the Hymenoptera, Week. Seven days of events ‘rainforest bus’ around UK schools, introducing students to 12 covering topics such as his animals and to global conservation issues. His first are designed to reach out to To mark UK Fungus Day appearance is on Monday at the communication in the colony, what we of the Society of Biology by people of all ages and to Big Royal Institution. can learn from ants and honey tasting, (organised by the British Not to be outdone, raise the profile and Mycological Society) we are with live demonstrations. The lecture will run from 18:00 on Biology Day, entomologist encouraging people to go Sunday to 18:00 on Monday. The event is open to school understanding of biology. Professor Adam outside and explore their natural groups and adults, and the Society will be contacting schools Look out for a rainforest Cambridge Hart will be environment. Online resources are via Skype throughout the night. ªink Publishing Ltd. bus at a local school, catch attempting a Organised by our East Anglia available on our website including ID guides and links part of a 24 hour lecture or branch, this is a hands-on to citizen science projects. There is a competition to A WINDOW contribute to our debate at biology open day for all find the largest ‘fairy ring’. Thursday The Society the Royal Institution on members of the family. genetics and criminal Wednesday Parliamentary 124-128 Barlby Road Tuesday Biology of Biology responsibility. For those reception Awards who want to test their Week 17 knowledge, there will be a 16 An evening reception and A celebration for the winners and highly quiz night at Charles Darwin 15 debate celebration of biology in commended entrants of the Society’s London W10 6BL House on Sunday 13th After the success of last year’s parliament, in partnership photography, book and science communication October, open to all. debate on saving the panda, this with the Biotechnology and awards. Prizes for top students from our year our Biology Week panel debate Biological Sciences accredited degree programmes and our Here’s our guide to the main tackles genetics. Specifically, how Research Council. Animals in Research essay competition. ON THE LIFE modern advances in the study of Professor Tim Benton from Held at the King’s Fund, London. www.thinkpublishing.co.uk events around the country, Global Food Security will be The 2012 winning photograph was ‘Farming but please do see the genetics and behaviour might influence decisions about criminal speaking on the theme of the sea’, right, by Wong Chi Keung. Society’s regional pages responsibility. Held at The Royal food waste. for otherBIOGRAPHY events happening Institution, London. near you.ALFRED RUSSEL WALLACE House Spider App 020 8962 3020 Following the success of the Flying Ant For more information or to Survey, the Society this year launched its attend an event please visit: Friday Biology Week second citizen science project: a survey of the www.societyofbiology.org/ in schools We have again received thousands of reports of UK’s house spiders. The large, hairy spiders biologyweek when and where flying ants have been spotted in commonly seen in UK homes belong to the SCIENCES Tegenaria genus, and males move indoors at To get involved in Biology Week 18 the UK this summer. Last year’s data, from 6,000 this time of year to find a mate. 2014WHO contact rebeccanesbit@ WAS...A range of exercises and resources are available to reports, helped entomologists study ants’ mating The Society has even developed an habits and investigate what conditions might societyofbiology.org encourage schools to consider the environmental issues app, ‘Spider in da house’, to help members associated with food production and food waste. We’re also trigger their annual nuptial flight. Design identify and record house spiders throughout encouraging schools to show our animated video on the There appeared to be a spike in sightings on the 1st August, but this year’s full data will be presented the autumn. ALFREDtheme, which you can see online (www.societyofbiology. See www.societyofbiology.org/spider by Professor Adamlfred Russel Hart during Wallace his 24 hour lecture org/biologyweek). Schools may also like to organise their (January 1823–November own events or take part in our house spider survey. In some attempt (see Monday 14th above). / 9 1913) was a complex man / THE BIOLOGIST areas Biology Week coincides with half term, in which case fromA a humble background. Yet Vol 60 No 5 Alistair McGown e Biologist is a bi-monthly magazine RUSSELyou may wish to celebrate it the following week! this son of a failed, bankrupt solicitor developed – independently of Charles Darwin – a theory so 11/11/2013 10:10 central to the science of biology that Theodosius Dobzhansky wrote an WALLACE / Vol 60 No 5 (published six times a year) that covers 8 / THE BIOLOGIST essay in 1973 entitled: Nothing in Production editor Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution 1. As the 100th anniversary of In common with Darwin, Wallace 08_BIO_60_5_BIOWEEK.indd 8-9 collected beetles and spent his Wallace’s death approaches, formative years as a scientist Clare Harris the full richness and diversity of biology. discovering the natural history of James Williams Wales. Unlike Darwin, and despite explores the his work on evolution, the public life and legacy of one of the profi le of Wallace receded almost to world’s most important complete obscurity after his death. Wallace was born on the 8th Sub editors Science is brought to life with stimulating and Victorian scientists January 1823 at Kensington Cottage on the border of the village of Llanbadoc and the market town of Usk in Monmouthshire (now Gwent). He was the eighth of nine children. authoritative features, while topical pieces When Wallace was fi ve, money Sam Bartlett, Sian Campbell problems forced the family to move to Hertford, where he attended
Hertford Grammar School. The became his apprentice, surveying WALLACEONLINE.ORG headmaster, Clement Henry Crutwell across Bedfordshire. Work was Wallace spent In late 1843, and with little (an ‘irascible little man’ not always steady, so Wallace was several years in 2), kept order Malaysia surveying work, Wallace was again Publisher through regular fl oggings of the boys sent away for a short stint as a discuss science policy, new developments producing his in need of a job, and he successfully for any misdemeanours. Wallace watchmaker’s assistant in Leighton landmark work applied for a position as a master at learned arithmetic, algebra, English Buzzard. Within the year he was The Malay Leicester Collegiate School. There, and Latin grammar, geography, back with William travelling the Archipelago , in 1844, he met the naturalist and French and classics. Although countryside, surveying and eventually above, recording explorer Henry Walter Bates and destined to travel far and wide, he settling in Neath, South Wales. wildlife such as the rhinoceros John Innes the two became good friends, but or controversial issues. Aimed at biologists recalled that next to Latin grammar, hornbill, below the sudden death of his brother the most painful subject he learned A naturalist is born William in 1845 made Wallace return was geography. It should, he said, While William travelled to drum to Neath to take over the business. have been the most interesting, but up surveying work, Wallace spent Rather than stay alone, he persuaded was reduced to learning the names of a lot of time with nothing to do. everywhere, its straightforward style also the chief towns, rivers and mountains As well as practising his surveying [email protected] of various countries. skills (good training for his later After having to leave school in fi eldwork), he wandered the March 1837 due to the family’s countryside and, using Loudon’s fi nancial hardship, he went to lodge in Encyclopaedia of Plants, identifi ed London with his older brother, John, and learned the characteristics of VOL 60 NO 5 ■ OCT/NOV 2013 ■ ■ an apprentice carpenter. Meeting the chief orders. makes it ideal for educators and students at THE SOCIETY OF BIOLOGY MAGAZINE ISSN 0006 3347 SOCIETYOFBIOLOGY.ORG eBiologist‘mechanics’ (civil and mechanical There is no doubt that his engineers) and artisans informed ramblings in the mountainous Welsh
his early socialist views. Reading the countryside taught him more about © AR WALLACE MEMORIAL FUND works of Robert Owen and attending natural history than he would have lectures based on Owen’s doctrines gained in any formal educational Non-member rates: £120.00 all levels, as well as the interested amateur. in a ‘Hall of Science’, an early type of setting. In his autobiography, he Wallace, mechanics’ institute, also infl uenced was moved to write that his time photographed his political outlook. in Neath was “the turning point 22 / THE BIOLOGIST / VVolol 60 NNo 5 at the age of 46 ByEVENTS mid-1837, Wallace joined of my life, the tide that carried me
o 5 © GW BECCALONI hisCALENDAR surveyor brother William and on, not to fortune, but to whatever INSIDE reputation I have acquired.” WILDLIFE 3 22_BIO_60_5_WHO_WAS.indd 22-23
Vol 60 No 5 / THE BIOLOGIST WARNING 2013 / 23 ISSN 0006-3347 How disease from domestic 11/11/2013 10:09 Submissions of interesting and timely animals could wipe out iconic THE SOCIETY OF BIOLOGY MAGAZINE ■ e ISSN 0006 3347 ■ SOCIETYOFBIOLOGY.ORG endangered species BiologistVOL 60 NO 4 ■ AUG/SEP 2013 articles, short opinion pieces and Advertising in e Biologist represents an
letters are welcome. Articles should be THE SOCIETY OF BIOLOGY MAGAZINE ■ e ISSN 0006 3347 ■ SOCIETYOFBIOLOGY.ORG ■ unparalleled opportunity to reach a large BiologistVOL 60 NO 2 APR/MAY 2013 aimed at a non-specialist audience and INTERVIEW community of professional biologists. convey your enthusiasm and expertise. DIGGING DEEP Instructions for authors are available TV's Alice Roberts talks anatomy For advertising information contact on the Society’s website or on request and archaeology Tom Ireland from the editorial office. Contact [email protected] [email protected] 020 7685 2556 BIOGRAPHY MYCOLOGY RESEARCH RICH PICKINGS FACT AND FISSION ALFRED RUSSEL WALLACE e legacy of a great Exploring treasures Using neutrons to Victorian scientist in the fungal kingdom study biomaterials
19/09/2013 10:28 00_BIO_60_5_COVERS_V2.indd 1 CREATING A BUZZ e trend for city hives and what it means for our bees
INTERVIEW TAXIDERMY 2 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 IMRAN KHAN MICROBIOLOGY STILL LIFE Meet the rising star e resurgence of EXTREME SPECIES of British science a forgotten craft Organisms that change the way we view life
00_BIO_60_4_COVER_AMENDED.indd 1GENETICS BIOPHYSICS RESEARCH CRACKING THE CODE QUANTUM BIOLOGY BUILDER BIRDS 28/08/2013 15:17 A decade on from the Cutting-edge physics for human genome project Factors aff ecting biological problems nest sizes
00_BIO_60_2_COVER.indd 1
26/03/2013 10:01 Nelson’s Column
nly non-scientists are drums, is currently considering ever surprised when majoring in biology with a minor in science is described as photography. Whatever his decision, creative. But, no matter I suspect he’s going to do well. what the arts world Researchers at the University of mightO think, artists and musicians Michigan recently found a do not own creativity. Neither do statistically relevant link between biologists, of course, as the use of engaging with creative arts early in imagination or original ideas can be life and STEM subjects. They applied to any discipline as well as concluded “that a very strong case our everyday lives. can be made that arts and crafts Creativity thrives within all of us. training correlates significantly with A few months ago, many will have success as a scientist or an engineer embraced their inner Picasso and that this success can be measured carving pumpkins for Halloween. in economically valuable products With Christmas approaching, the such as patentable inventions and enormous popularity of food founding new companies.” programmes means it is no longer Associate professor David unusual to make sloe gin, cranberry Goodsell, from the Scripps Research chutney or chilli vodka. The most A strong Institute, is a case in point. When appreciated cards are often the case can submitting his article on biology at handmade ones, and why buy a bird be made the molecular level (page 18), he box if you can make one? that arts included his own beautiful Today’s technology aids creativity illustrations – some watercolours, by allowing us to blog, self publish and crafts and others created by computer art. or create our own images. One of the training Synthetic biology is also a perfect Society’s most popular events is the correlates example of how creativity and annual photography competition. with science go hand in hand (page 24). Photos such as The Fight for Life success as a It has long been known that Cycle, a beautiful study of red ants exposure to music and art during killing a fly, are biology as scientist or early life enhances brain art (see page 15). an engineer development. As someone who took Our cover image, of a jumping up the piano a few years ago, I’m also spider and its prey, also shows life and of the opinion that it’s never too late. death. It was taken by the winner of So if your New Year’s resolution is to the young photographer award, spend more time playing the clarinet 13 year old Jack Settle from or finally doing that pottery class, Oklahoma (page 17), who began take action. It may also be good for collecting insects when he was four. your science. His mentors include a herpetologist and zookeeper, a National Geographic photographer, and a professor of biological sciences at Eastern Illinois University who let Jack join a student field excursion to examine reptiles and amphibians. Jack, who also plays guitar and Sue Nelson, Editor
Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 3 OBITUARIES
University of Malaysia in Sarawak, NEWS IN BRIEF Professor Donald and was president of the British Lewis Lee Society of Parasitology from 1979- ACCREDITATION Society News 80. He published many papers and APPLICATIONS EXCEED 1931-2013 books on parasites and nematodes EXPECTATIONS embers will be sad to learn of including The Physiology of ªe Society received applications Mthe death of Emeritus Professor Nematodes (1965), and he edited The to accredit 23 bioscience degree Donald Lee after a long illness. Biology of Nematodes (2002). programmes from 10 UK Donald had a distinguished career in On retirement, Donald universities in the latest round Michelle Hulin receiving the biological sciences and made a returned to the north east. He of its Degree Accreditation her award from SET Survey Awards president significant contribution to teaching was a parish councillor and Programme. ªe previous round, Malcolm Turner says and research in medical and veterinary served as a Council member in January, accredited three times parasitology and nematology. of the Institute of Biology. the anticipated number of degrees. ‘flying He was born and educated in He became a member of the ªe universities of Manchester, ant day’ a myth Blaydon, County Durham, and Institute’s Northern branch Liverpool and York, and the Royal studied at Durham University committee in 1998, serving as Veterinary College, have all had or many people, flying ant (King’s College), followed by a PhD Professor Lee had branch chairman from 2000–04. degrees accredited recently. Fday is one of summer’s most at Cambridge. He went on to hold a distinguished Donald made a notable striking events. But this year appointments at Cambridge, the career in the contribution to the biological biological sciences FUNDING BOOST FOR Britain had a flying ant month. Houghton Poultry Research Station sciences and gave considerable UNIVERSITY SCIENCE The Flying Ant Survey, a and Brunel University. He was service to the work of the Society in Science and engineering teaching collaboration between the awarded the Scientific Medal of the the Northern region. In recognition at English universities will receive a Society and the University of Zoological Society of London in 1971 of his considerable contribution, he £400m funding boost. Competition Gloucestershire, originally set out and in the same year was appointed was elected honorary president of for the funding, announced by to investigate how synchronised professor of agricultural zoology at the branch and in 2011 was awarded universities and science minister the emergence of flying ants is the University of Leeds, where he the President’s Medal. He will David Willetts, will encourage around the UK, and whether there remained until his retirement in 1996. be remembered as an energetic, the aim of getting more women truly is one single ‘flying ant day’ He also held positions at the knowledgeable and congenial into science and engineering at every year. The project involved University of Hong Kong, the colleague and will be greatly missed. degree level by requiring evidence over 4,500 sightings from around of a commitment to equality the UK and found that from late consolidated his interest in genetics. and diversity. July to late August there were four Simon Ashley Cox After graduation in 1980, Simon peaks in flying ant appearances, 1958-2013 went to the Imperial Cancer SOCIETY CLARIFIES instead of the expected one, with Research Fund’s Laboratory at ANIMAL RESEARCH FACTS smaller peaks in between. imon was the eldest son Lincoln’s Inn Fields, where he began ªe Society has responded to The four peaks were 22 July, Sof Isobel Terry Cox his career by studying prostate inaccurate claims about animal 26 July, 1 August and 20-22 (née Pepper) and Robert cancer. Later he was transferred to research in a letter published by Double win for August. The biggest was at the Ashley Cox. Educated at Clare Hall to join a group mapping e Observer. Following an article beginning of August, half way Aldenham School and Hatfield human chromosomes. He was a co- about the use of marmosets in the between the peaks in 2012 (24 Polytechnic (now University author of 29 research publications. development of Parkinson’s disease biology student July, 8 August). The peak time at of Hertfordshire), he graduated Ill health led to his early retirement treatments, the campaign group which flying ants were sighted was after studying a four year ‘sandwich’ Simon Cox in 1996 and he showed great Animal Aid wrote a letter stating ichelle Hulin, from the work has now been included in a at 18:00 in 2012 and 2013. course in applied biology. During co-authored courage as his health declined. that, “most successful treatments University of Bath, was patent application with the potential “This gives them just enough his industrial year he spent time in 29 research Simon had a passion for dinghy for Parkinson’s were pioneered in M named Best Biology Student to help prevent the spread of disease time to find somewhere to hide,” Dr Robin Holliday’s Laboratory at publications sailing which, with the aid of the human trials”. 2013 in the Europe-wide Science, from Africa to Asia. said Professor Adam Hart, from the National Institute for Medical RYA charity Sailability, he continued ªe drugs were actually fully Engineering & Technology (SET) “I’m overjoyed to have won,” said the University of Gloucestershire, Research at Mill Hill, which until shortly before his death. tested in animals prior to human Student of the Year Awards in London. Michelle. “I’ve been interested in plant “but not too much time for trials and it is a legal requirement It tops a great year for Michelle after pathology for a long time. I believe exposure to predators. They can’t to do so. ªe Society’s letter was she also won the Society of Biology crop science is really important for the risk flying at night because they branches in the UK, and be check your branch association, co-signed by the Association of Top Student Award 2013. future. We really need to protect our can’t see and it’s too cold.” Members directly informed about local click on ‘Manage your Medical Research Charities, the The three SET Award finalists crops.” She has now started a PhD at Dr Rebecca Nesbit, who encouraged to branch activities. membership and its benefits’ Academy of Medical Sciences and presented research from their the East Malling Research Centre and coordinated the survey, thanked Please check and then ‘Your branch Parkinson’s UK, and was published undergraduate final year project the University of Reading. everyone who submitted data and branch out your details connection’ in the on the 27th October. and were interviewed by a judging The other finalists were Nevena asked them to contribute next e want to make sure that online via Membership Services panel at Charles Darwin House, Karapavlovic from Newcastle year. “This shows the importance you are kept up to date our secure menu. You can also Her work W Check out our new website: London. Michelle impressed with University and Eleanor Paish from of collecting data over a number with the Society of Biology’s mySociety input or update your has now thebiologist.societyofbiology.org her project, which aimed to prevent Aberystwyth University. Nevena’s of years,” she said. “It seems likely news and activities, including portal (https:// email by clicking on
been OCK global disease spread in oil palm, project looked at why ageing that 2014 will show yet another events that might be taking mysociety. ‘Edit your personal a major commodity crop. She naked mole rats maintain cellular included pattern of ant emergences.” place in your area. societyofbiology. details’ to ensure had developed a rapid and robust function despite mitochondrial in a patent The next stage in data analysis TTERS T All members can be org) to ensure that you receive membership molecular method to detect the DNA deletions, while Eleanor’s application is to look for patterns associated associated on our database your email address and branch newsletters and other key fungus Fusarium oxysporum, which investigated speed, accuracy and with weather conditions. ZXY/SHU with one of our 16 regional connection is up to date. To communications.
causes vascular wilt in the crop. Her success in foraging fish. HX DB
4 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 www.societyofbiology.org/news www.societyofbiology.org/news Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 5 lectures being broadcast around Throughout the night students in Biology around the world via webcast and Skype. schools in Singapore, Shanghai and the clock He covered a range of topics, South Korea watched the lecture including stings, parasitism, colony via Skype as part of their Monday Biology Week iology Week 2013 got off to formation, and the social structures Adam morning lessons. Professor Hart Ban exciting start with the 24 bees and insects can form. Hart also revealed the results of this hour lecturethon, an epic talk on His endeavour also included a year’s Flying Ant Survey (see the ants and bees by ecologist and pub quiz, honey tasting, and displays story on page 4). OCK science communicator Professor of a live colony of leafcutter ants and As morning arrived, UK schools In the Established Researcher Adam Hart from the University a working bee hive. The mathematics watched a Diet Coke and coffee- TTERS T
category, Dr Sheena Cruickshank of Gloucestershire. of genetic relatedness within a fuelled Professor Hart lecture on /SHU from the University of Manchester Professor Hart began at 18:00 on colony, which he tackled the structure of the hive, how ants
was named overall winner for her Sunday 13th October and continued just after midnight, was a forage and solve problems, and ACKSON ‘Worm Wagon’ scheme, which until 18:00 the following day, with particularly gruelling session. pollination and feeding. A J
2013 RIAN
fuses art and interactive activities B to improve understanding and awareness of global health issues. She also works with ‘Inspired OTO HER EVENTS Sisters’, a community group of immigrant women, to raise 2013 awareness of the causes and impacts of worm infection. Both winners will be writing about their science communication projects in the next issue of The Biologist.
ESSAY COMPETITION IN THE NEWS The 2013 essay competition was he excitement of Biology Week based around the theme of the Tand the culmination of our use of animals in research. Judge various citizen science projects Tim Jameson, from drug research generated a crop of articles in the group Covance, announced the media in September and October. four winners: Carmel Edwards, OCK The Telegraph, The Independent Emily Robertson, Jan Botthof and Online, the Mail Online and TTERS T James Iremonger. the Metro featured the images from the Society’s photography DEGREE PROGRAMMES competition, while the House K45025/SHU The top graduates from the Society’s Spider Survey and Flying Ant accredited degree programmes ■ Politicians, scientists, journalists, Food waste was of hands on activities filled Hills Survey attracted media attention were also announced. Sam Menzies, members and guests attended the a hot topic in Road Sixth Form College. The from the The Times, BBC Nature, Biology Week and University of Bristol; Alice Pollard, Society’s second parliamentary was debated at a 17 stands around the hall ranged The Telegraph, BBC Wildlife Celebrating success Royal Veterinary College and event to celebrate Biology Week. Society event in from species identification by the magazine, several blogs and local Robin Willows, University of York, The night was hosted by Andrew parliament (above) Linnean Society to Stamford High newspapers, and led to 30 radio ore than 120 people competition continues to grow, with Above: The were rewarded for outstanding Miller, Labour MP and chair and in schools School’s student projects, to blood interviews. Professor Adam Hart’s attended the annual over 600 entries received this year. Society’s Mark performance during their courses. of the Science and Technology across the UK oxygen monitoring with staff from epic 24 hour lecture was also Biology Week awards to Putu Sudiarta, from Indonesia, won Downs pictured select committee, Stephen Addenbrooke’s hospital. featured in Time Out. M with Science celebrate the winners and highly the main prize for his picture of a Communication Metcalfe, Conservative MP for ■ The last day of Biology Week commended entrants from the honey bee. The winner of the Young Awards winners, South Basildon and East Thurrock, came soon after World Food Day Society’s various competitions. Photographer of the Year award, 13 Rebecca Williams and Dr Julian Huppert, the (16th October), and schools across year old Jack Settle, travelled from (centre) and Liberal Democrat MP for the UK held assemblies about food Next year… Oklahoma to receive his £500 prize Dr Sheena Cambridge. Tim Benton, a waste. The Society produced an BOOK AWARDS Cruickshank (right) Biology Week 2014 will run from In its first year, the Society’s Book for his amazing picture of a jumping professor of population ecology animated video and teaching 11–17 October. We would be very Awards attracted over 70 entries spider eating an ant. For a full at Leeds University and also the notes in partnership pleased to hear from organisations across three categories. Spillover: gallery of images see page 14. UK champion for food security, with the Global Food and individuals who are keen to take Animal Infections and the Next gave a thought-provoking speech Security programme. part. For more information please Human Pandemic, by the American COMMUNICATION AWARDS about food resources, our UK households contact Rebecca Nesbit (on 0207 author David Quammen, was named In the Science Communication responsibilities as consumers and throw away 20% of 685 2553; rebeccanesbit@ best general biology book and The Awards, Rebecca Williams, from the the future of food provision for the the food they buy, societyofbiology.org) whether Bodley Head’s publishing director, Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix global community. and the teaching
OCK you are a scientist, a teacher or Stuart Williams, collected the award Research, won the New Researcher ■ This year’s Big Biology Day in materials are aimed someone who is passionate
on his behalf. For more on the Book category. Alongside working on her TTERS T Cambridge attracted more than at helping pupils about biology. U Awards see page 8. PhD, she runs biology workshops for 1,000 people, with attendance consider the effects Thank you very much to everyone
local schools and encourages students Right: David YB/SH double that of last year. For the of waste and how to who made Biology Week 2013 ON PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION from under-represented backgrounds Quammen’s T second year running a variety reduce it. such a success. The Society’s photography to consider a university education. winning book
6 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 www.societyofbiology.org/news www.societyofbiology.org/news Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 7 BIOLOGY WEEK ROUND³UP BOOK AWARDS/BIG DEBATE
Human Pandemic (Bodley Head). BIOLOGY WEEK DEBATE It is a fantastically enjoyable book, comparable to a thriller at times, 2013 definition of criminal responsibility with beautiful writing and a great used in courts is not sophisticated Read all about it mix of science and story. “I couldn’t enough. “A folk psychology The Biologist’s editor Sue Nelson on judging put it down,” said Redfern. “It was underpins the law which says the meticulously researched, up to date body and mind are separate. You the Society’s inaugural Book Awards and with a message.” have to prove the body did it and the It was a reading marathon and mind intended to,” said Mackenzie. David Quammen’s the Society would like to thank “So the law has problems when there Spillover won Best all the judges for their time and is something in the body that affects Popular Biology expertise. It was also an incredibly the mind. People blaming their Book. His award rewarding experience. Check out genes, saying they had no free choice was collected by the shortlisted entries below. in the matter, is something we will his publisher at The Bodley Head, increasingly see in the courts.” Stuart Williams BEST UNDERGRADUATE She added that young people
(below, with the TEXTBOOK OCK could be screened to see if they are Society’s William ■ Physical Biology of the Cell genetically predisposed to violence Marshall FSB) by Rob Phillips, Jane Kondev, TTERS T or crime. For example, children U Julie Theriot & Hernan G Garcia, suffering “callous non-emotional SS/SH
illustrated by Nigel Orme E conduct disorder” are often seen (Garland Science) as fledgling psychopaths, and ■ Introduction to Cancer Biology by the condition may be hereditary. Robin Hesketh (Cambridge) LAWL VAL Mackenzie said they should be ■ Essential Developmental Biology offered treatment “in a non- by Jonathan M W Slack (Wiley- judgmental way” to normalise Blackwell) their behaviour – but should not be ■ Introduction to Bioorganic No holds barred assumed to be future criminals. Chemistry and Chemical Biology Finally Thomas Baldwin, a by David Van Vranken & Gregory This year’s Biology Week Debate tackled a professor of philosophy, tackled the Weiss (Garland Science) definition of free will itself and the fascinating and difficult subject that encompasses legal argument that those who have et no one tell you that judging a Louis, who also chairs BEST POSTGRADUATE not only biology and neuroscience but law, politics a predisposition to violence are not book award is easy. If you love the Association of TEXTBOOK fully responsible for their behaviour. Lreading science books it may British Science Writers. ■ Landslide Ecology by Lawrence R and the philosophy of free will “Free will is not a supernatural sound like an ideal task. But when The winners were announced Walker & Aaron B Shiels (Cambridge) force that allows you to project those heavy boxes start arriving on during Biology Week. Best ■ Evolutionary Perspectives on ntitled ‘The good, the variant that could be linked to yourself beyond your nature. We are your doorstep it’s an entirely different undergraduate text book was the Pregnancy by John C Avise (Columbia bad and the genetically criminal behaviour, and one which not supernatural beings, we are great and extremely daunting matter. second edition of Physical Biology of University Press) (highly commended) Epredetermined’, experts has already been used to reduce apes, albeit ones with a great capacity The criteria for a winning book the Cell (Garland Science), written ■ Principles of Plant Genetics discussed behavioural genetics and the sentences of defendants found for understanding and planning,” about biology, biosciences or the life by Rob Phillips, Hernan Garcia, Julie and Breeding by George Acquaah its implications for criminal justice to have it. Studies of an extremely said Baldwin. “Given our genetics sciences are deceptively simple. It Theriot and Jane Kondev. Judge Dr (Wiley-Blackwell) at The Royal Institution in London. violent family in the Netherlands give us these capacities that underpin must engage, educate and – above William Marshall, from The London ■ Host Manipulation by Parasites Introducing the speakers, The Daily led to the discovery of a correlation free will, genetics doesn’t threaten all – be readable and at the right level Clinic, called it “an outstanding edited by David P Hughes, Jacques Telegraph’s Ian Douglas said it was between the monoamine oxidase-A the attribution of responsibility. It for an informed general reader. All book bringing concepts of physical Brodeur & Frédéric Thomas (Oxford) a subject “as close as you can get to gene and violent behaviour. Yet even We are not may help us understand it, but it too often popular science books are chemistry to an understanding of cell the interface between science and that evidence is “not that great”, said dealing with doesn’t undermine it.” written for degree level scientists or biology with a quirkiness and turn of BEST GENERAL BIOLOGY BOOK society… a live subject that is being Pettitt, adding: “The problem is we are After questions from the audience, assume that everyone knows the latest phrase that engages the reader”. ■ Spillover: Animal Infections discussed in prisons and courtrooms not dealing with something precise – something the panellists concluded that the link jargon and history of the subject. A Lawrence R Walker and Aaron and the Next Human Pandemic by across the country every day.” genetics doesn’t work that way – we precise – between specific gene variation and good author not only includes all of B Shiels won the postgraduate David Quammen (The Bodley Head) Jonathan Pettitt, a lecturer in can’t split it from the environment. genetics behaviour is weak and too heavily this information seamlessly and in a textbook category with Landslide ■ Anatomies by Hugh Aldersey- genetics at the Institute of Medical For that reason we can’t use genetic doesn’t work influenced by environment to be of palatable fashion, but does so in a way Ecology (Cambridge University Williams (Viking) Sciences, University of Aberdeen, determinism in the courts.” that way much use in court. The panellists all that is inspiring and a joy to read too. Press). Judge Ian Carter described ■ Secret Chambers: the inside story opened by explaining the “best Robin Mackenzie, a professor warned against its use in the criminal There was no shortage of good it as “scholarly yet readable and of cells and complex life by Martin example found so far” of a gene of law, University of Kent, said the justice system at this stage. authors, which made even producing written in a fluent style” while fellow Brasier (Oxford) the longlist a formidable task.The judge Sue Howarth, senior lecturer ■ Pieces of Light by Charles judging panel read continuously in secondary science education at Fernyhough (Profile) Professor Robin Mackenzie is at Kent Law Jonathan Pettitt lectures in School, University of Kent, and genetics at the Institute of ■ OUR PANEL for five months. My brain felt like the University of Worcester, said: My Beautiful Genome by Lone has researched forensic, Medical Sciences at the exploding at several points and “This novel topic has worldwide Frank (Oneworld) Professor Thomas Baldwin medical and ethical University of Aberdeen, meticulous note taking was essential. application, and this book should ■ The Book of Barely Imagined teaches at the University of aspects of and researches the My category’s fellow judges were encourage others into this Beings by Caspar Henderson York’s Department of neuroscience: cadherin-catenin science author and former BBC developing discipline. Inspiring.” (University of Chicago Press) Philosophy and is deputy chair ‘People blaming complex, which plays radio science producer Martin Despite strong competition, the Landslide Ecology of the Human Fertilisation and their genes is a role in learning (top) and Physical something we will and memory: Redfern, and director of City best popular biology book award If you are interested in judging or entering Embryology Authority: Biology of the Cell ‘Genetics doesn’t threaten the increasingly see ‘We are not dealing with University London’s science went to David Quammen’s Spillover: the 2014 book awards contact Karen Patel (above) were also attribution of responsibility.’ in courts.’ something precise.’ journalism MA course Connie St Animal Infections and the Next winners [email protected]
8 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 www.societyofbiology.org/news www.societyofbiology.org/news Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 9 Policy update Careful cures
uncertain drug discovery landscape, research into new antibiotics is often not prioritised. To make progress, it will be important for industry and academia to work together to A global, multi-faceted approach is accelerate development through initiatives such as precompetitive required to manage the growing threat data sharing. of antibacterial resistance The Government also has a key role to play. The Department of Health recently issued a UK Five Year Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy that sets out actions to slow the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. This new cross Government strategy identifies three strategic aims: improving the knowledge and understanding of antimicrobial resistance; conserving the effectiveness of existing treatments and stimulating the development of new antibiotics, diagnostics and novel therapies. In addition, the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee recently ordered hen the chief medical to animals to prevent infection. an inquiry into antimicrobial officer for England, Action must be taken to ensure resistance, which the Society W Dame Sally Davies, that antibiotics are used only when and a number of our Member described antibiotic resistance absolutely necessary, including Organisations responded to. All systems go as a “catastrophic threat” akin curtailment of use where there is It is vital that medical to terrorism and climate change, no bacterial infection – particularly professionals, those who work the statement was designed to prevalent in animal health with animals, and the general individual protein or cell, and this make people sit up and take notice. management – and restricting public are aware of the threat and Systems biology could be the key to future is also true for diseases. A systems It worked. the purchase of antibiotics by the knowledgeable about best practice. medical and technological advances level understanding will give Backed by the chief medical general public, which is widespread People’s expectations that they will us a deeper insight into disease officer’s annual report, antibiotic in some countries. automatically receive antibiotics ystems biology is an and characterise the properties of processes and help us understand, resistance was soon added to the Antibiotic resistance cannot be should also be reduced. Awareness- increasingly important network components. At the level treat or prevent complex diseases. national risk register and was eradicated, but it can be managed raising activities, like the annual S discipline in the life sciences. of a cell, such components would Furthermore, a systems level high on the agenda of the science to limit the threat to human and European Antibiotic Awareness Day, As of June 2013, the Biotechnology include DNA, mRNA, proteins understanding will put us in a ministers’ meeting in advance of the animal health. This requires a held on the 18th November, help to and Biological Sciences Research and metabolites, which were position to engineer cells and even G8 summit in Northern Ireland. As multi-faceted approach, including communicate appropriate antibiotic Council had committed £85m often studied in isolation. Cellular organisms to perform useful tasks, a well as the obvious health effects, improved infection prevention use and drive further improvements to research, training and behaviour, however, is not always discipline known as synthetic biology. the European Centre for Disease and control measures, optimising in prescribing. infrastructure for an approach that governed by the properties of an Thanks to technological Prevention and Control (ECDC) prescribing practices and Professional bodies and learned attempts to explain the behaviour individual component, but ultimately advances in biological research, estimates that antibiotic resistance prioritising research needs. societies can help enhance of a biological entity (cell, organ, emerges from the biological and knowledge acquired from the costs the EU approximately €1.5bn Research into new treatments is understanding and knowledge or organism) from the perspective networks these components create. reductionist approach, the time is in healthcare expenses and lost also vital – no new classes of antibiotic sharing between academics, of the connections in a network of Our brains contain close to 100 right to build a strong research base productivity each year. have been discovered since 1987. researchers and clinicians. Such individual components in a system. billion neurons which create a for systems biology and bring all of Indiscriminate or inappropriate However, a financial disincentive organisations, including the Society This approach often requires complex network of around 100 this information together. This can use of antibiotics plays a key role in exists for the pharmaceutical of Biology, are well placed to
OCK computational modelling tools to trillion connections. However, no be achieved through investment the spread of antibiotic resistance. industry as any new antibiotic champion best practice with their
represent the relationships between single neuron is responsible for the in training and infrastructure and OCK GPs prescribe 35 million courses developed is likely to be shelved members and other professional
TTERS T all the components. Traditionally, phenomena of thought – thought an appropriate education system of antibiotics in England alone for as long as possible to avoid the stakeholders. It is crucial to the HU
many areas of biological research, emerges due to the specific structure that encourages cross discipline TTERS T each year and the vast majority of build-up of resistance. Even if a drug health of all nations that effective HU
HE N/S particularly in molecular biology, of the neural network. Lewis Tomalin, collaboration, and equips biologists surgical procedures involve them is used, it would be prescribed only Dr Catherine Ball, antibiotics remain the mainstay of SC have used a predominantly Not all biological behaviours can BBSRC policy with the necessary maths and too. Antibiotics are also common for short periods of treatment rather science policy modern medicine and are available UC H L reductionist approach to identify be attributed to the property of an Fellow computing skills. CMGIRL/S in farming and are routinely given than for months or years. In this officer to all who need them.
10 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 www.societyofbiology.org/policy www.societyofbiology.org/policy Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 11 Sarah Whild’s original article lamented the demise of Where have all the botany degrees botanists gone? Sarah Whild looks at why a once cherished subject seems to be disappearing
he demise of botany as a own. It appears to be harder to get REFERENCES particularly among the under-40s. Opinion Drea, S. e End of subject is well known (Jones, funding for plant-based research While undergraduate degrees in 2010 and Drea, 2011) and even though crop science is vitally the Botany Degree botany or plant science have all but T in the UK. Bioscience in 2013 one can no longer study important. Education, 17 (2011). disappeared, part-time courses in a botany degree in the UK. This Harberd, N. Seed field botany, biological recording or could, however, be a matter of to Seed – e vegetation science are flourishing. Rise of the amateur secret life of plants semantics: plant science is arguably Biochemistry, genetics, and (Bloomsbury, 2006). This year an online botany course a more appealing name, and there molecular ecology can all feed Jones, S. Where have sponsored by the BSBI and the carbonate found in invertebrate are plenty of plant science degrees into plant science without their all the British botanists Field Studies Council was fully gone, just when we in the UK. practitioners labelling themselves need them? subscribed and could have been Yet several of the institutions as botanists. Harberd (2006) e Daily Telegraph, filled at least twice over. Short commonly associated with botanical laments the loss of connectivity 14 September, 2010. courses and day schools are offered exoskeletons and mollusc shells. excellence do not offer any plant- between laboratory-based at a number of higher education based degree titles at all (but do researchers and the natural world (HE) institutions and through offer zoology). And there does not – but does the science suffer as wildlife trusts, records centres and appear to be much plant biology a result, and does this mean all professional organisations. These chemical changes can even in a plant-based degree. Take ‘traditional’ botanical activities are the BSc in biological sciences in decline? Funding shortfall (plant biology) at one Russell If this is so, who will document In 2008 the House of Lords Select Group university, for example: changes in distribution and Committee on Taxonomy reported disrupt the growth of exoskeletons, specialisation is allowed in the abundance of species to assess that the need for botanists and second and third years with options biodiversity? Who can confirm that other field taxonomists, in order to such as animal biology, ecology it is in fact Arabidopsis thaliana audit biodiversity change, was part or genetics, and field modules having its genes sequenced and not of our responsibilities under the in some cases causing them to studying Barbary macaques or Capsella bursa-pastoris? Rio Convention. zoology in the US. Thankfully, amateur naturalist The Joint Nature Conservation Jones (ibid.) described the activity is on the increase. The Committee has a European disproportionate number of animal Botanical Society of the British Isles obligation to monitor for change dissolve, and increase vulnerability researchers to plant researchers at (BSBI) has 3,000 members, many in biodiversity, delivered mainly Oxford, and it is true in most major active as field botanists making through voluntary recording research universities, as botanical records. The schemes and societies such as the well as at teaching British Bryological BSBI and the BBS. Forward thinking to storm damage. institutions Society (BBS) has HE institutions are providing such as my had an increase in continuing professional development membership in the training in field taxonomy via last 10 years, postgraduate programmes or short Predicting a time period when courses, but funding is virtually nonexistent, with student loans only available for undergraduate degrees. Angus Westgarth- If we are to sustain our supply ocean acidification might have of botanists, one of the biggest impediments is funding for this Smith is a zoologist training, requiring a serious Sarah Whild is commitment by Government. senior lecturer in So where have all the botanists a detectable ecological effect is plant ecology at with a PhD in insect Manchester gone? There may be few botanists Metropolitan in the lab, but the good news is University and they are being trained and seem chair of the to have migrated out into the field. difficult, but could be useful to Training and ecology. He has Hopefully, if the sun is shining, they A liverwort from Education Ernst Haeckel’s Committee, are out there botanising. Artforms of Botanical Society Turn to page 12 for our feature on how been a biology policymakers. Ecological effects Nature, 1904. of the British Isles. arboreta safeguard our forests. lecturer for over 20 may be detectable around 2030- Vol 60 No 3 / THE BIOLOGIST / 9 years and currently Biology degrees: 08_BIO_60_3_OPINION.indd 9 22/05/2013 14:50 50, but as seawater pH has already works at Birkbeck, University of decreased from pre-industrial Money also plays an important London. levels, these effects might already part in student choice, especially have started. There is a time lag of Survival of now that they will be saddled several decades between increasing with debts of over £30,000 on carbon dioxide in the atmosphere graduation. Gone are the days when and carbon dioxide in the sea, so 18 year olds set off for university to pH will continue to decrease even the fittest learn more about their favourite if carbon dioxide emissions are school subject. Today, all they controlled. This time lag could Bob Johnston questions why certain life ask is, “what job or career will mean politically agreed emissions science subjects are disappearing – this degree lead to?” Who can targets are ineffective in saving then blame them if they choose things like coral reefs. and whether it really matters ‘molecular biology with industrial/ More publicity and awareness of professional experience’ rather ocean acidification might increase n the June/July issue of The of snobbery – highly academic than biochemistry (both available All at sea political support for reductions Biologist, Sarah Whild lamented students were encouraged to at one leading university)? If a in carbon dioxide emissions. But I the loss of botany from the list apply to universities while the less university department wants to Angus Westgarth-Smith says more if the human desire for more of available degree courses in the gifted followed the polytechnic retain a course that is becoming energy proves irresistible, we UK (Where have all the botanists route. This was also reflected less popular, it has to sell it hard, attention must be given to the effect may ultimately have to accept gone? The Biologist, Vol 60 (3)). As in the A level offers each type of something I rarely encounter. of ocean acidification the extinction of a considerable a biology teacher with 39 years’ institution would make. Finally, does it actually matter range of marine species. It is experience, I want to know if However, post-1992, the if some ‘traditional’ subjects recent search on BBC Increasing atmospheric predicted that acidification will botany is unique, how it happened distinction became blurred. While disappear? As Sarah Whild pointed Online for ‘climate change’ concentrations of carbon dioxide severely impact corals by 2050 and and if it matters. the ‘old polytechnics’ became more out, botanists are still out there but produced 16,269 results. have ecological consequences, REFERENCES Antarctic krill by the next century. Before polytechnics became academically attractive, the ‘old are in the field rather than teaching A IPSO. e State of the A search for ‘ocean acidification’, including climate change and ocean The consequences of the extinction universities in 1992, science degrees universities’ started to lose out on in the lecture theatre or lab. The old Ocean 2013 (2013). however, produced just 116. The acidification, the latter due to carbon www.stateoftheocean. of corals and krill are immense were in two separate camps. The good candidates. To make their subjects still exist but with different public, it appears, is receiving an dioxide dissolving in seawater to org as coral reefs support a diverse universities largely taught the courses more attractive, they had names. The worry is, of course, unbalanced understanding of the make carbonic acid. Seawater has Kawaguchi, S. et al. number of organisms and Antarctic traditional, ‘purely academic’ to reorganise and modernise their that without fresh blood coming Will krill fare well important ecological implications changed from a pre-industrial value under Southern Ocean krill are a major food source for subjects – in biology, the list would courses. Those seen as contemporary through, there will be no one to of increasing concentrations of of pH 8.2 to a present day value of acidification? Biology marine mammals. include botany, zoology, genetics, would appeal to the most candidates, assume the mantle in coming years. atmospheric carbon dioxide. pH 8.1 and by the year 2100 could be Letters 7, 288-291 There is little evidence from the bacteriology and biochemistry. and by natural selection, the least Personally, I’m not worried. (2011). Data (from the Mauna Loa between pH 7.6 and 7.8. The rate of Mauna Loa data that our moves Most courses were modular, popular courses would wither and Wherever there are gaps in Parker, L.M. et Observatory, Hawaii, for example) seawater acidification is now faster al. Predicting the toward low carbon technologies are allowing students to choose a eventually become extinct. scientific knowledge, there will show that the atmospheric than at any time in the last 300 response of molluscs making any material difference to range of subjects, with the honours Of course, nothing is ever that always be those trying to fill them, to the impact of ocean concentration of carbon dioxide million years. acidification. Biology 2, the increase in atmospheric carbon year devoted to one speciality. simple. Teachers of A level subjects whatever field it may be. Knowledge is increasing all the time – not The response of marine 651-692 (2013). dioxide. The underlying cause of Meanwhile, the polytechnics taught and parents of students have once attained cannot be lost. And surprising as an increasing human organisms to acidification is Parliamentary Office most environmental problems is the applied subjects, which relied considerable influence over which all modern biological degrees population burns fossil fuels and complex and varied. Sensitivity to of Science and human population size yet articles on rather less on subject knowledge and degree courses students choose produce well-rounded scientists. Technology. Ocean chops down trees. Presumably pH can vary between life history Acidification. Postnote human population control strategies more on practical applications. to follow. Unlike me, many A level Bob Johnston FSB is We need specialists but we also the rate of carbon dioxide emissions stages – with gametes, embryos and 343 (2009). are rare in ecology and conservation This was not unique to biological biology teachers graduated in head of science at need a public that understands the will eventually slow, but we have larvae being especially vulnerable. Raven, J. Ocean publications. Ocean acidification is sciences. The same was true the 1990s or later when the ‘old’ St Mary’s College big questions in biology. acidification due been expecting to run out of fossil Increased acidity reduces the a big and imminent environmental for chemistry, physics, geology, courses were already waning. and a member of I’m sure the future will still to increasing the Journal of fuels since the 1970s. Every time concentration of carbonate ions, atmospheric carbon problem. Extra publicity is needed to engineering, and indeed any subject Therefore, since like begets like, be in safe hands when the sixth dioxide. Policy Biological a fuel crisis is predicted, further resulting in lower concentrations document, ªe Royal provide the political impetus to start with a ‘practical’ element. There fewer and fewer students applied Education’s formers of today become the HEIN NOUWENS/SHUTTERSTOCK ETAN DANIELS/SHUTTERSTOCK supplies are found. of aragonite – a form of calcium Society (2005). mitigating this problem. was therefore a considerable degree for the traditional subjects. editorial board. citizens of tomorrow.
12 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 13 COMPETITION PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2013
picture of a bee feeding at a flower. the quality of the image. It is an The winner in the under 18s absolutely perfect shot – not just of Kim Chong Keat category was Jack Settle from the bee itself but of the part of the Feeding Young FEEDING Oklahoma, who impressed the plant the bee is aiming for.” A mother bird feeding her young. judges with an amazing shot Of Jack Settle’s winning image “The baby bird needs food, the mother bird that captures a jumping spider in the Young Photographer of needs food – all predators need food.” LIFE attacking a fly. the Year category, Draycott The winners were said: “Close up you can presented with their prizes SOCIETY see the bright red of e’re delighted to present as part of the Biology PHOTO the male spider’s the full shortlist for Week award ceremony in COMPETITION face, but also the W our 2013 Photography central London in October. 2013 photographer’s reflection Competition, ‘Feeding Life’. Putu received the top prize in the spider’s eyes, which We received 600 images from of £1,000 while Jack flew really made us all laugh. It is nearly 300 entrants, featuring over from the US to receive his an amazing image.” all sorts of organisms (including £500 prize and a copy of Adobe’s The number of entrants to the humans) eating, drinking, hunting, Photoshop Lightroom software. competition is growing every year, harvesting, pollinating, feeding their Catherine Draycott, head of with 20% more participants than young and growing. Wellcome Images and chair of last year. Some of the images from The overall winner was Putu the judging panel, said of Putu the shortlist also featured in The Sudiarta from Denpasar in Sudiarta’s winning image: “The Telegraph, The Independent, the Indonesia, with his stunning judges were really bowled over by Metro and on the CBBC website. Kristhian Castro Valencia Dinner Plate An ant feeding from a plant. “In this scene a plant feeds ants through a kind of plate called an extrafloral nectary.” 1st Bambang Setyawan Fight for Life Circle Red ants killing a fly for food in the circle of a small root. “The image clearly shows how the ants are struggling to live by eating the fly. They’re feeding for life.”
Khalid Rayhan Shawon Rain: e Source of Drinking Water A girl collects rainwater from the drought-hit soil of an open field where rainwater gathers. “In Gabura, after cyclone Aila, the whole area was submerged by seawater. Local people collect the rainwater from the open fields and preserve it for drinking.”
Putu Sudiarta Hunting Nectar Paddy Ryan A bee hunting the nectar of a Bad Day, Good Day sunflower. A great blue heron eating fish. “In nature bees hunt for nectar “Herons have to survive. By to feed on, without intending to definition something has to die for help pollination.” this to happen. This unfortunate minnow was the victim.”
14 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 15 COMPETITION PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2013
João Alexandre Porto da Rocha Coutinho Jack Settle Feeding Nature Jumping Spider Eats Insect A fisherman relaxes after A Habronattus coecatus jumping finishing work and spider preying on a winged insect. watches the seagulls “This image shows a jumping spider discover the discarded feasting on an insect. Jumping fish. This is a rare moment spiders use their keen vision to of beauty in his daily calculate the exact distance activities. between themselves and their prey. “The fisherman gives food At just the right moment, they will to the seagulls, showing pounce on the prey item, and inject how nature can live in venom to turn the insides of the harmony with humans in prey into mush.” the same space.”
1st
Partha Pratim Saha De-stoning Female farmers drying, cleaning and de-stoning the Rebecca Condruti paddy in a rice mill yard. Squirrel Feast “Rice is the staple food A squirrel from the Grand for 65% of Canyon (pictured in the the population background) nibbling on a in India. Paddy in piece of apple. its raw form cannot “This picture of a squirrel from be consumed by human the Grand Canyon shows the beings. It needs to be struggle of life in the animal suitably processed for kingdom and how a crumb on obtaining rice.” the ground or an apple in the trash can make a difference in an animal’s life. We all depend on each other.”
YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR CATEGORY Debdatta Chakraborty e Fishermen Fishermen casting their nets in a body of water. Gabija Vyšniauskaitė “Water bodies are created in Genetic Engineering the drought prone districts of Experiment – growing a seed in a West Bengal to combat dry little bubble of gel. spells. But these water bodies “People are trying to grow plants also serve as food suppliers to as cheaply and as conveniently as the local villages.” possible, regardless of their healthiness.”
16 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 17 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY DNA’S ATOMIC STRUCTURE THE TWISTS AND TURNS OF DNA The ability to look at the structure of DNA at the atomic level has been key to understanding this miraculous molecule, as scientist and illustrator David Goodsell discovers
n 1953, Watson and Crick presented their model for the I DNA double helix, revealing the way genetic information is held in a cell. In the years since, DNA has proven to be a lively molecule that is looped, unwound, copied, repaired, edited, chemically modified, and more recently, engineered. A closer look at DNA’s atomic structures (and its related cellular partners) has since revealed much more about the complex workings of this amazing molecule. Early work on DNA structure used DNA that had been isolated from cells. Fibres of this natural DNA diffract x-rays into a characteristic pattern – the classic helical structure proposed by Watson and Crick, known as a B-helix. A truly atomic glimpse at DNA, however, had to wait for several decades. Techniques for the chemical synthesis of small pieces of DNA, with exact nucleotide sequences, made this possible. These well-defined pieces of DNA can be coaxed to form single crystals, which provide much more detailed x-ray diffraction patterns (as shown in Fig. 2 overleaf), which can be analysed to determine the location of each atom in the molecule. Since then protein and DNA sequencing technology has improved rapidly, and the amount based on information gathered from x-ray it is unwound from nucleosomes, the two of structural data on DNA and DEPICTING DNA crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and strands are separated, and the enzyme DNA other molecular machines has Fig. 1. The DNA electron microscopy. polymerase (large complex in magenta at the grown enormously. The Protein either on its own or complexed with polymerase from the hot spring AS WELL AS HIS WORK as a molecular ªe illustration shows DNA in the nucleus centre) builds new strands (shown in white) Data Bank has become the primary proteins or drugs. bacterium biologist, David Goodsell employs various stored as chromatin, a compact form with to complement the original strands. archive of atomic structures for Here is just a little of the Thermus aquaticus artistic techniques to visualise biological DNA (shown here in turquoise) wrapped David also develops graphics programmes biological molecules and now structural biology of DNA that has is widely used in the lab for the macromolecules. Here he uses watercolour around histone proteins (blue) to form a long to visualise individual molecules, as seen in contains almost 95,000 entries, been discovered thanks to our ability polymerase chain to show the shapes and sizes of molecules, chain of nucleosomes. When DNA replicates, figures 2 and 4. 1,500 of which include DNA, to view its atomic structure. reaction
18 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 THE BIOLOGIST / 19 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY DNA’S ATOMIC STRUCTURE
Fig. 2. X-ray diffraction of fibres of The machinery of replication purified cellular DNA (top left) allowed The hallmark of the DNA helix Watson and Crick to model the overall is its ability to replicate, copying structure of DNA, and today, x-ray all of the genetic information diffraction of crystals of small pieces into a new strand. Structures of of DNA (bottom left) allows us to various polymerases, such as the determine the position of every atom taq polymerase (Fig. 1, previous page) have revealed how these enzymes unwind DNA and build complementary DNA strands. The enzymes are often shaped like a hand that grips the unwound DNA, performing the polymerisation reaction in the ‘palm’. These polymerases often also include a second active site that tests the new strand and, if the wrong nucleotide is added, it chops it off. This ‘proofreading’ means the process is incredibly accurate. In addition, the large polymerase complexes that duplicate DNA in our cells include a ring-shaped clamp that locks the enzyme on the DNA, allowing it to copy vast stretches of DNA without falling off.
Repairing errors and restricting access DNA is constantly under attack from chemicals and radiation in the environment. For instance, for every minute you are in the sun, UV radiation damages 50-100 bases in each skin cell, sometimes by causing neighbouring bases to bond together (Fig. 4 overleaf). A host of enzymes are continually scanning DNA looking for damaged bases, snipping them out or repairing them on site. For more extensive damage, whole stretches of DNA are removed and rebuilt based on the information held in duplicate strands. Even with these many mechanisms for repair, however, errors build up over the life of an organism. When viruses infect a cell, they hijack the cell’s molecular machinery and force it to build new viruses. But many bacteria have developed an effective process to protect themselves from infection Fig. 3. Idealised by viral DNA. As they are replicating models of three their DNA, they add methyl groups forms of the to nucleotides on the new strand, DNA double helix which act as tags to mark the DNA as were discovered based on early at sites such as the RCSB PDB entry 1tau, DNA with a thymine their own. Then, a set of ‘restriction experiments with DNA IN 3D (www.rcsb.org) and the Nucleic dimer in entry 1ttd, EcoRI with enzymes’ look for untagged DNA fibres of DNA. ªe structures in the Protein Acid Database (ndbserver. DNA in entry 1eri, a short piece and break it into pieces. Left, A-DNA found Data Bank are freely available rutgers.edu). of B-DNA in entry 196d, and This would remain just a curiosity in high-salt for use in research and Several structures from the large DNA origami object if it hadn’t proved so useful for conditions; middle, the typical education, as are many tools the archive are included in is split into five entries: 2ymf, biotechnology: restriction enzymes B-DNA found in for analysis and visualisation this article: taq polymerase in 2ymg, 2ymh, 2ymi, and 2ymr. are base-specific DNA scissors cells; right, left- that may be used to edit and handed Z-DNA
20 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY DNA IMAGING
BIOGRAPHY Fig. 4. reassemble DNA genomes to engineer them according to our needs (see Fig. 5).
The double helix The B-helix is by far the most common conformation found in living cells, but DNA actually adopts a variety of conformations (see Fig. David S Goodsell 3, previous page). If you dry out DNA is associate with lots of salt, it forms a chunkier professor of molecular biology helix, termed an A-helix. This at the Scripps structure is more commonly seen Research Institute, in RNA, which can’t form a B-helix and author and because of the crowding of the extra illustrator of The hydroxyl groups. Machinery of Life. DNA can also form more exotic He divides his time between research Fig. 5. structures. Sequences with alternating into computer- cytosine and guanine nucleotides can aided drug design form a left-handed helix, the opposite and science of the normal right-handed B-helix. outreach with Four strands can also come together the RCSB Protein Data Bank. to form a symmetrical ‘quadriplex’. The biological significance of these interesting forms is still a matter of debate.
DNA nanotechnology Fig. 4. Ultraviolet radiation can More recently, researchers in damage DNA by nanotechnology have looked to DNA causing bases to as a raw material for molecular bond together (shown in magenta) design. Because the rules of base Fig. 5. The pairing are well understood, they restriction enzyme can synthesise DNA strands that will EcoRI (blue) has fold into a custom nanosized object made a staggered Fig. 6. cut in the DNA, (Fig. 6). This approach has been creating two termed ‘DNA origami’. “sticky ends” on It starts with one long DNA strand. the pieces Then, a collection of small staple Fig. 6. This custom nanoscale object strands are synthesised and force the is composed of long strand to fold up. All manner of one long strand of 3-D shapes have been created by this DNA held together with many short technique, building on the perfect ‘staple’ strands double helix provided by nature. (two are shown Research into the structural in green) biology of DNA has revealed the basic genetic mechanisms that allow cells to grow and reproduce, and modern medicine is using this knowledge to treat people when things go wrong. Anticancer therapy, in particular, relies strongly on our understanding of DNA structure and function. Cells become cancerous when they lose their controls on growth and reproduction, so cancer chemotherapy often targets cells that are growing too quickly. Unfortunately, these drugs also target other normal cells that are actively growing, leading to severe side effects. Researchers are currently using our understanding of DNA to improve these drugs, to design new therapies that will selectively attack only the cancer cells.
22 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION ON THIS ARTICLE? C ONTACT US AT BIOLOGIST¶SOCIETYOFBIOLOGY.ORG SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY INDUSTRY VIEW
ynthetic biology, according (DNA manipulation and metabolic BIOGRAPHY A ‘commercial ecosystem’ in UK KEEPING to science minister David engineering) alongside ‘dry’ in synbio is evolving and expanding. S Willetts, could one day silico computational tools to allow Companies vary in size, ranging from “fuel us, feed us and heal us”. predictive design and modelling. the eight new start-ups founded Deemed one of “the eight great The Biologist has already shown in 2012, through to multinational technologies” by Willetts in January the UK’s track record in genetics and corporations. Some are active in IT REAL 2013, this relatively new field genomics research (‘Happy Birthday product development – such as high combines molecular biology with DNA’, The Biologist Vol 60(2) 22-25). value chemicals, renewable energy, engineering, and aims to enhance Synbio innovations stand on the new pharmaceuticals – while others existing biological systems so they shoulders of these fundamental Dr Belinda Clarke is are developing platform tools and perform useful functions. Synthetic biological competencies. lead technologist, services such as microbial strain synthetic biology, organisms could, potentially, The UK ranks second only to optimisation, high throughput gene at the Technology produce biofuels en masse, seek the US in terms of peer-reviewed Strategy Board. sequencing, predictive modelling out cancer tumours or glow in synbio publications over the last She is also a software and instrumentation. the presence of dangerous 10 years1, generated by around member of the UK bacteria, for example. 200 academics. With Synthetic Biology A global opportunity Not surprisingly, 46 higher education Leadership Council. The opportunity to design and build synthetic biology institutions in the UK new biological systems, or modify (synbio) is an with active synbio existing ones, offers huge potential emerging sector programmes, to a number of markets. Selecting expected to and a national those in which the UK is best placed deliver growth Special Interest to deliver value is more difficult. for the UK in Group with a Estimates about the potential the future. But membership global market opportunity for the can it realistically exceeding 700 at synthetic biology industry vary but deliver – and the time of writing2, they are all sizeable – one of the most within the it is reasonable to optimistic being over US$10bn by timescales needed expect translation of 2016. The jury, however, is still out as Belinda Clarke reports on by policymakers, investors some of this capability into to how much of this will realistically and industry to justify its commercial activity. be captured and retained in the UK, whether UK synthetic biology OCK
OCK exalted position? The Innovation and Knowledge and in what areas.
research can deliver lucrative TTERS T Confidence in UK synbio is built in Centre for synbio based at Imperial The UK synthetic biology HU TTERS T part on the critical mass of research College London will be a key player community uses an encouragingly HU
NS/S capabilities. It comprises a set of in helping this translation process, broad spectrum of host organisms,
commercial technologies E HE N/S NIV multidisciplinary technologies, providing support for businesses or “chassis”. From bacteria such as EY SC requiring the juxtaposition of and academics wanting to accelerate the lab workhorse E. coli, RG UC H
SE L classical ‘wet’ molecular biology tools a technology or concept to market. to unicellular algae such as
Artemisinin to enabled the pathway for synthesis microbial strains. Novel strains of Other synthetic biology manage Striga, a parasitic treat malaria of artemisinin to be re-created biofuel producing microbes have approaches to developing biofuels weed that is a major constraint Probably the most in E. coli. The technology been developed that are adapted include microalgae engineered on crop productivity in Africa, commonly quoted was developed by USA- to live on various types to produce valuable products and affecting around 300 million example of the based Amyris and of feedstock carbon improved processability (Algenuity); smallholder farmers. application has been licensed without additional, the use of Clostridium sp. to of synthetic to Sanofi, which, in costly pre- develop high value products like the biology is partnership with processing steps. petrochemical n-butanol (Green a project PATH, is planning Ingenza has Biologics); and using heat-loving aiming to to produce 35 developed Geobacillus to ferment waste stabilise the tonnes of synthetic a new yeast biomass into cellulosic ethanol and supply of a cost artemisinin in 2013 strain which other renewable chemicals (TMO effective version and 50-60 tonnes per has been piloted Renewables).
10 OCK GREAT UK of artemisinin, year from 2014. at a scale of 2.4
a compound found million litres. The Synthetic biology for TTERS T SYNBIO naturally in the sweet Biorenewables increased process weed management wormwood plant used to treat The renewable fuels market has efficiency from its use A team led by Dr Travis Bayer
malaria. The Bill and Melinda high hopes for the application of translates to an annual cost at Oxford University is working ICA924/SHU LAMY A PROJECTS Gates Foundation funded work that synthetic biology to construct new saving of US$500,000. on synthetic biology approaches to AFR
24 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 25 SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY INDUSTRY VIEW
Chlamydomonas, with plants, Many of these are being tackled insects and mammalian cell lines by the national Synthetic Biology as well, UK researchers are experts Leadership Council, created in Synbio in handling a range of organisms response to a recommendation projects are that will help design new biological in the 2012 Synthetic Biology systems or redesign existing ones. Roadmap3 and co-chaired by David scrutinised Alongside research and Willetts. This body’s task is to for their commercialisation capability, we need deliver recommendations and to ethical, facilities to grow organisms making create the conditions that allow social, novel products reliably, at scale. We the UK to become a world-leading legal and also need internationally agreed, industrial hub, and ensuring policy regulatory standardised approaches to the and regulations are keeping pace implications nomenclature and characterisation of with technological developments. genetic parts and devices. These are being discussed at an international Responsible innovation and European level to help the global Every potentially disruptive industry work together and speak the technology is accompanied by same language. significant responsibilities around The Technology Strategy Board, its application. The ability to with Biotechnology and Biological redesign and create de novo new Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to nature compounds and genetic and Engineering and Physical constructs is an undertaking not to Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) be considered lightly. All publicly co-funding, has supported 15 supported synthetic biology projects company-led feasibility projects are scrutinised by an expert panel REFERENCES worth up to £500,000 each. for their ethical, social, legal and 1 Oldham, P., Hall, Further funding for up to six new regulatory implications around S., Burton, G. (2012) Synthetic Biology: multidisciplinary research centres in responsible innovation. Mapping the Scientific the UK has been announced, as well So can synthetic biology live up Landscape. PLoS ONE 7(4): e34368.
as a competition for industry-led OCK to its expectations? The evidence
OCK 2 https://connect. projects to develop novel tools and suggests it can. There remain barriers innovateuk.org/web/
services to support synbio. TTERS T and challenges to be overcome, but synthetic-biology- TTERS T
HU special-interest-group For the ambition to become HU with responsible, innovative and 3 Synthetic Biology commercial reality, issues relating creative input from innovators, and Roadmap, to intellectual property and open TE LIC/S a continuation of the Government’s www.innovateuk. models – based on sharing key parts enabling approach to science, that org/_assets/tsb_ TE J KAS YA IVANOVA/S YA syntheticbiology AN and devices – need to be agreed on. MA confidence should prove well placed. roadmap.pdf
One way of managing the weed Sharing and recycling and providing platform software promoters that control Inspiring the to design and build a functioning is to apply strigolactone on farmland DNA parts that helps with the design and the expression of next generation biological system in living cells. to induce ‘suicidal’ germination A number of UK start-ups have sourcing of DNA parts, a number specific genes iGEM (ung.igem.org) is a Any new parts developed of Striga seeds, but chemical been focusing on platform of businesses are helping the global under defined worldwide synthetic during the project are also synthesis of strigolactone is technologies that enable synthetic biology community make conditions. biology competition logged in the registry. prohibitively expensive. DNA molecules to be more efficient use of synthetic Custom- for teams of Originally created in The team at Imperial College has built, catalogued biology components previously built building undergraduates 2003 as a summer engineered yeast cells to produce and shared. These by others. Two examples of start-ups bespoke and, more project at MIT, it is strigolactones and precursor molecules, that in this area are Desktop Genetics synthetic recently, now a not-for-profit compounds by introducing a act as ‘parts’ in and Lab Genius. promoters high school foundation and last synthetic metabolic pathway using synthetic biology enables gene students and year 190 teams and plant and microbial genes. They engineering, Build-A-Promoter expression in entrepreneurs. more than 3,000 have shown in laboratory trials that may have been Promoters are regulatory novel or existing Central to the participants from 34 yeast-produced strigolactone is made in other elements encoded by specific DNA biological systems to competition is a countries took part. OCK effective at triggering germination labs or may be sequences which influence the be carefully controlled. Registry of Standard Recent examples of
of Striga seeds at extremely low commercially expression of specific genes. Some Edinburgh-based Synpromics is Biological Parts (called projects include biosensors TTERS T concentrations and has a protective available. can be influenced by changing one example of a company that BioBricks) which contains to detect arsenic in groundwater HU effect on host crops. Controlled field By logging, validating environmental conditions, and has turned this service into a parts deposited by previous teams, and red blood cell substitutes to GUS/S trials are planned next year. and referencing these molecules, it is possible to design and build commercial business offering. and from which the challenge is transport oxygen in blood. AR
26 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION ON THIS ARTICLE? CONTACT US AT BIOLOGIST¶SOCIETYOFBIOLOGY.ORG Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 27 INTERVIEW PROFESSOR JANE FRANCIS
Professor Francis among emperor penguins in the Antarctic BREAKING THE ICE Tom Ireland meets the new director of the British Antarctic Survey, Professor Jane Francis
n October Professor Jane it’s actually quite warm. You can just Francis took over as director sit and watch an amazingly serene I of the British Antarctic Survey, and tranquil landscape, with the an organisation which has led the sunlight glinting off icebergs and the UK’s exploration and research in odd bird call. Then you don’t want to the region for more than 60 years. be anywhere else in the world. As a palaeobotanist and geologist, Professor Francis’ research uses Any hairy experiences? fossilised vegetation to understand We take first aid and health and how the Earth’s climate has changed safety very seriously so I’ve not throughout history. really had any close calls. The scariest experience was when I A large part of your academic work was working on Svalbard (Norway) has involved looking for fossils in a few years ago and a polar bear both the Arctic and Antarctic. came quite close to our camp. In the Presumably you enjoy working in end he fell asleep in a gully for polar environments? a few hours in front of our camp I absolutely do. I’ve done about and then left, but you do have to 10 seasons in Antarctica and six be very careful. field trips to the Arctic, and they are fantastic places to work. It’s How did you get into polar-based amazing to go somewhere that is so research in the first place? remote and cold and find a leaf that As a geologist I started working on shows the climate was once almost fossil plants for my PhD and did a tropical there. project on the rocks of the Jurassic Whenever you set up camp in the coast in Dorset. I started working field – a huge operation that can there on fossil trees, leaves and take a day or two – there’s always a pollen and reconstructing ancient moment when the helicopter or ship forests. Then, while working in leaves, when you realise it’s very central Australia, I had an invitation quiet, and you’re just a small group from the Canadian Geological of people alone in a very isolated Survey to go and see these amazing place for a couple of months. fossil forests they’d discovered It’s generally a very beautiful up in the high Arctic. They were and extremely humbling place – spectacularly preserved – they the climate can be pretty fierce hadn’t been petrified and turned and you’re just a tiny speck in this to stone like you’d usually find. awesome landscape. But I’ve been in You could saw open the wood and the Arctic peninsula when the sun it would burn; you could pick the is shining, and when the wind drops leaves up and they’d trickle through
28 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 29 INTERVIEW PROFESSOR JANE FRANCIS
Lake Ellsworth, where scientists have attempted to find life forms
BIOGRAPHY interest and a lot to be learned country and they’ve been really good about the faunas of the deep sea and at winning research grants. In terms southern ocean around Antarctica of oceanography, it’s an important – people are discovering new faunas frontier for research and I think there all the time. there’s huge potential for research There’s also a lot of work on lakes that will take place between our as they are a really good record two organisations. of past climates too. Subglacial lakes under the ice sheet are very Would a merger have diluted Jane Francis trained interesting, looking at whether Britain’s ‘strategic presence’ in in geology and is there are bacteria or life forms that the area at a time when there are professor of palaeoclimatology have been isolated from the rest of concerns over ownership of at the University of the world for a long time in these the region? Leeds, where she is hidden environments. I hope there I don’t think the issues in the last currently dean of will be other attempts to reach Lake two years were anything to do with your fingers, just like in a deciduous million years ago that covered great Fossils found in We spend a couple of months in at seasonality. Then there’s also the faculty of Ellsworth [an operation to drill that. BAS has two missions – to do wood floor in autumn. Except they swathes of the Southern Continent. the field give the field in a tent camp measuring analysis of leaf size, shape, venation environment. In 3km down into the subglacial was high-quality, world leading science 2002 she was were 45 million years old. The leaves fell into swampy areas Professor Francis, the geological sections to build a and things like that. We also look abandoned in 2012] as it’s a really and to lead the British presence in pictured here in the awarded the Polar and became coal, which is where 1980s, an idea of picture of what the environment was more generally at the type of tree Medal in recognition exciting project. Antarctica. By carrying on doing What do you find so interesting most of the southern hemisphere’s what the landscape like. Then we take sediment samples and the climate envelope it grows of her contribution good science we’ll do just that. about recreating polar forests? coal comes from. was like millions of and try to find fossil leaves and wood in today, as well as pollen and their to British polar There was talk of a merger recently They’re just so unusual – there years ago to try to reconstruct the vegetation. modern relatives. We’ll also look science. She was between the British Antarctic What are your overall aims aren’t really any polar forests at the climate signal in things like appointed director How do you find fossil forests when of the British Survey (BAS) and the National as director? around today so they are like a everything is covered in ice? How do you use vegetation to draw isotopes and soil profiles. Antarctic Survey in Oceanography Centre – presumably BAS will just carry on doing great window into the past when the Most of the places we work have conclusions about climate change? March 2013. to help both organisations deal science. There are some really
EY world was warmer, with higher good exposure of rocks, for example We use as many parts of the fossil Will you still get to go to Antarctica with budget cuts. How is BAS coping important scientific questions to levels of carbon dioxide, and forests coastal cliffs, or mountains that as we can. From the fossil wood as much in your role as director? with the general reduction in answer about the polar regions – SURV
IC could live way, way closer to the stick up above the ice sheet, or we can identify the type of wood It’s going to be much more difficult research funding? these regions are the most sensitive CT
AR poles. And that’s happened many islands without an ice sheet. Usually from its structure and techniques but I’ll certainly be going there BAS scientists are very good. A to climate change. We need to times in the past. someone has been there and that modern botanists use – things to visit the bases. I do hope I can recent assessment found that the understand all of the environmental
IS H AN T I worked with geologists in New recorded evidence of plant life and like tree ring analysis and changes manage to work in the field for standard of their work is as good as systems that operate there and the T
BRI Zealand looking at forests from 250 we go and look at it in more detail. in cellular composition to look another season. There is a lot of that of the best universities in the speed at which they change.
30 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION ON THIS ARTICLE? CONTACT US AT BIOLOGIST¶SOCIETYOFBIOLOGY.ORG Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 31 TECHNOLOGY BIOLOGICAL IMAGING SEEING IS BELIEVING
The ability to provide ever- developing novel, efficacious and development pipeline or to kill them pharmacodynamics and early lead to shorter and lower cost Kevin Cox and Roger Gunn higher resolution images of well differentiated drugs have risen early with a fast-to-fail strategy and readouts of efficacy). development programmes. explain how human imaging is anatomy, and functional images along with the associated costs identify alternatives. There are many key questions in Radiolabelling and PET imaging of specific biological processes, (Scannell et al., 2012). As a drug proceeds further clinical pharmacology that of a central nervous system drug, crucial for drug development has significantly increased the We are all aware of the often- along the development pipeline, need to be addressed early on: the for example, can demonstrate potential of imaging technology for repeated refrain that it takes greater and greater resources drug exposure levels in the target that it effectively penetrates the healthcare applications. Diagnosis, around 10 years and over $1bn are committed, so it becomes tissue; whether the drug interacts blood brain barrier when first n the last 40 years our ability treatment, stratification, and disease to develop each new molecular increasingly important to make the with its biological target at levels administered to humans, providing to see beneath the skin has monitoring are all possible thanks entity (NME) – largely due to right decisions as early as possible associated with pharmacological confidence for drug developers I undergone a rapid evolution. to high quality and instant clinical the number of failures. These in the development process. This activity without exceeding the that efflux pumps in the barrier We can There is now a wide range of non- imaging. Increasingly, PET and ever increasing R&D costs is where non-invasive imaging has limits of tolerability; and whether are not preventing the compound reconstruct invasive imaging devices that detect MRI techniques (see ‘picture of are unsustainable for the a number of strengths and, with the compound causes its intended from entering target tissue. A exquisite radioactive, magnetic, optical, health’, overleaf) play an important pharmaceutical industry and the targeted application, can provide pharmacological effects. These combination of these data, with images of auditory or electrical signals from role in experimental medicine wider community, and it is now important information in the criteria have been referred to as the measurements of non-specific the body. Together with advanced studies and translational drug more important than ever that well early phases of drug development “three pillars” of drug development binding, allows us to get a direct our internal mathematical modelling, we can development in humans. informed, evidence based decisions (phases 0, 1 and 2, where the (Morgan et al., 2012) and having measurement of the free brain biology use them to reconstruct exquisite In drug development the hurdles are made on whether to progress emphasis is on testing in small such knowledge reduces the risks concentration of the drug, in man, images of our internal biology. and complexities involved in candidates through the drug groups for safety, pharmacokinetics, of decision making, which can in vivo (Gunn et al., 2012).
32 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 33 TECHNOLOGY BIOLOGICAL IMAGING
BIOGRAPHY Direct measurements of drug- REFERENCES Comley, R.A. et target occupancy can also be made al. Monoamine using PET. A suitable radioligand allows the study of biological transporter occupancy will bind to the target site of the PICTURE processes at the cellular and of a novel triple reuptake inhibitor in drug being tested. The more a drug OF HEALTH molecular levels by capturing baboons and humans binds with its target, the more and analysing the emissions using positron emission tomography. radioligand is displaced, providing a MRI and CT (positrons) of a radioactive J. Pharmacol. Exp. er. signal proportional to the available Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tag attached to a molecule of 346(2), 311-7 (2013). concentration of target sites. and computed tomography (CT) interest. At its simplest, PET can Demetri, G.D. et Kevin Cox is chief Measurement of the change provide high quality anatomical be used to explore whether a al. Efficacy and executive of safety of imatinib in available concentration pre- information that allows the non radiolabelled compound, such mesylate in advanced Imanova, a joint and post-drug administration, invasive measurement of, for as a candidate drug, reaches the gastrointestinal venture between stromal tumors. N. the Medical at different doses, enables example, a tumour volume pre intended tissue. By using specialist Engl. J. Med. 347, 472- Research Council characterisation of the relationship and post-therapy. labelled reporting probes it can 480 (2002). and Kings College, between dose and the level of target also measure the concentration of Gunn, R.N. et al. Combining PET Imperial College engagement that is achieved PET proteins, enzyme and University biodistribution and (Fig. 1). These data can be obtained Positron emission tomography activity or the occupancy of drugs equilibrium dialysis College London. He assays to assess has experience in in small cohorts (10 subjects) in (PET), or molecular imaging, at their target sites. the free brain biopharmaceutical first-time-in-human studies, concentration and development and providing early data to indicate BBB transport of CNS the translation of drugs. J. Cereb. Blood whether a drug is achieving Flow Metab. 32(5), new technology a pharmacologically active 874-83 (2012). for clinical and concentration and causing its Jack Jr, C.R. et al. ªe commercial Alzheimer’s Disease benefit. intended pharmacological effect at Neuroimaging Initiative tolerable doses (Searle et al., 2010; (ADNI): MRI methods. J Comley et al., 2013). Magn. Reson. Imaging 27(4), 685-91 (2008). The data also has real value in Morgan, P. et al. Can designing larger scale, later-phase the flow of medicines efficacy studies by making sure be improved? Fundamental that the right dose levels are chosen pharmacokinetic in these often expensive trials. and pharmacological principles toward What’s more, if target occupancy improving Phase II Roger Gunn is can be linked directly to efficacy, survival. Drug Discov. director of research then these techniques can provide Today 17(9-10), 419-24 (2012). and development a direct measure of the therapeutic Rabiner, E.A. et al. and head of analysis index – i.e. how close the minimum Pharmacological at Imanova. He is a effective dose is to a dose that differentiation of opioid visiting professor at receptor antagonists the University of causes toxicity. by molecular and Oxford and a Functional changes in the body functional imaging of target occupancy professor of due to the pharmacodynamics effect and food reward- molecular of drugs can be elegantly picked related brain activation neuroimaging at up by PET or MRI. In patients with in humans. Mol. Imperial College Psychiatry 16(8), 826- London. Alzheimer’s, the recent introduction 35 (2011). of PET probes measuring beta- Rinne, J.O. et al. 11C-PiB amyloid – a protein implicated in PET assessment of change in fibrillar the disease – in the brain are already amyloid-beta Fig. 1. (below right) being employed to investigate the load in patients PET study showing with Alzheimer’s the level of target effect of novel therapeutics in small shrinkage in the tumour is These changes preceded observed of drugs on the central nervous when it is targeted at answering disease treated with engagement in a cohorts (Rinne et al., 2010). These observed by other methods. The structural changes by weeks and system in early stage development, key questions at the right time, and bapineuzumab: a particular drug at measures complement structural development of imatinib, which sometimes months (Demetri et al., and in conjunction with PET these when the results directly impact phase 2, double-blind, different dosing placebo-controlled, levels information on grey matter volume holds the record for the drug with 2002). Other pharmacodynamic effects can be linked with target on the decision making process ascending-dose study. loss that can be measured with MRI the fastest approval time by the markers of cancer indicators like engagement (Fig. 2, Rabiner et for a given candidate. Imaging Lancet Neurol. 9(4), Fig. 2. (below) (Jack et al., 2008). Food and Drug Administration in cell proliferation, angiogenesis al., 2011). MRI has a still-growing creates little value when applied 363-72 (2010). Brain activity Searle, G. et al. following stimulus In patients with cancer, the United States, was greatly aided (blood vessel growth that can set of functional readouts, retrospectively to explain why a Imaging dopamine D3 using functional pharmacodynamic readouts can by detection of pharmacodynamic indicate malignancy) and hypoxia including measures of vascularity, compound has failed – it should be receptors in the human magnetic brain with positron resonance provide key early information changes in cellular metabolism (deprivation of oxygen in an area) permeability, blood flow, as well as used prospectively. emission tomography, imaging (fMRI) on the efficacy of therapy before using PET and the compound FDG. are currently available and a cellularity determined by membrane The application of experimental [11C]PHNO, and a number of other pharmacodynamic barriers to water diffusion which medicine studies early in phase selective D3 receptor antagonist. Biol. markers are under development. are often applied in early stage one and phase two incorporating Psychiatry 68(4), 392- In addition to providing oncology trials. Currently, there are imaging biomarkers can provide 9 (2010). exquisite anatomical detail, MRI almost 300 active phase one and valuable information. Well- Scannell, J.W. et al. Diagnosing the decline is capable of measuring a number two clinical trials of pharmaceutical designed, data rich studies in in pharmaceutical R&D of pharmacodynamic outputs compounds using MRI listed in the small numbers of subjects can efficiency. Nat. Rev. Drug Discov. 11(3), 191- important to drug development. clinicaltrials.gov database. support strong early decision 200 (2012). MRI has been used repeatedly to Imaging of humans provides making and is a key part of effective test neuropsychological effects most value to drug development drug development.
34 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION ON THIS ARTICLE? CONTACT US AT BIOLOGIST¶SOCIETYOFBIOLOGY.ORG Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 35 EDUCATION TEACHING BIOLOGY ONLINE
here is something special about BIOGRAPHY has been developed for teaching going into a science laboratory: about ecosystems (Waldrop, 2013). T the faint smell of chemicals Through EcoMUVE teams of and molten agar, the sound of students are able to explore the stirrers and shaker beds and the dynamics of an ecosystem and generally light, bright atmosphere. its surroundings. Such enquiry- Putting on a lab coat marks the entry based (hands-on problem solving) A VIRTUAL into a world of machines, glassware approaches challenge students to and samples. A world where results find answers to questions and may are anticipated, failed experiments Dr Richard Campen be more effective than traditional CBiol FSB is a can be experienced and health and freelance lecturing techniques (Olson and safety is paramount. environmentalist, an Loucks-Horsley, 2000). For the last two years, however, I associate lecturer at The ‘practice’ of practical have taught practical environmental the Open University, science need not be restricted to VIEW science to groups of undergraduate where he teaches the virtual environment. With students without ever meeting practical appropriate briefings on health environmental Dr Richard Campen them face to face, in either the science, and a guest and safety and experimental field or the lab. With technology lecturer at the design it is possible for students to reports on the growing and software it is now possible to University of Derby. conduct hands-on fieldwork that teach practical science online – but He is a former is not directly supervised. Surveys trend for teaching biology how does the distance teaching director of (for example, of streams, birds experience compare to campus operations at the and invertebrates) can be carried practicals online Peak District based teaching? National Park out with minimal equipment and Laboratories (and field sites) Authority. suitable field guides. Such practical are about tangible things: sights, sessions can be used to encourage sounds, smells, and contact with collaboration – sharing results and the environment of the experiment. linking results to other databases. They are also about a psychological A key point about teaching contract with the experiment: practical science online is that, as a state of mind that recognises with all learning, good learning rituals, drivers for success, and the should encourage reflection, enable satisfaction of doing an experiment. dialogue, foster collaboration, apply But online learning can now theory to practice, create a learner provide a range of teaching and community of peers, encourage learning opportunities enabling creativity and motivate the learner students to conduct practical (Conole, 2013). Developing a experiments. Webcams can be combined approach of practical trained on ‘live’ experiments in and online experiences can provide the laboratory. Students can view the best of both worlds. At Bristol incubation bottles and digital ChemLabS, the University of Bristol displays in a lab based experiment, has developed an award-winning for instance, to calculate the approach to prepare students for biological oxygen demand of water practical lab work through online samples (Open University, 2013a). activities using simulations and This provides an opportunity to virtual instruments. observe the experimental set-up But for online teaching it is and collect data for later analysis important that materials provided and presentation. Such synchronous for learners are not just the experiments are similar to the electronic files of presentations experience of visiting a lab or, say, a previously delivered by the teacher greenhouse to make observations. in the lecture room. Similarly, in Other asynchronous, virtual teaching online practical science, we
OCK experiments can also be designed should not be seeking to reproduce so that students can ‘drag and drop’ A combined laboratory experiments online; we TTERS T and select quantities in relation to approach should be looking to design learning experimental design components. of practical experiences specifically for online For example, the determination and online use (Robinson, 2013, pers. comm.). of pesticides in water samples In an evaluation of online science using gas chromatography-mass experiences taught at secondary level, Crippen et spectrometry, or the counts of can provide al (2013) found that student-teacher anaerobic microorganisms in water the best of interactions, student engagement, HU KLIMOV/S RLONDON/IGOR
E samples (Open University, 2013b). both worlds and non-verbal communications
RID At Harvard University a ‘Multi- were lacking. The authors suggested
BIK E User Virtual Environment’ (MUVE) that communication tools need to be
36 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 37 EDUCATION TEACHING BIOLOGY ONLINE Impact39 factor REFERENCES Students can Conole, G. Trajectories access laboratory of e-learning. work on screen ird International 4.654* Conference on Quality Assurance in Post- Secondary Education. Damman, Saudi Arabia, 27-29 April (2013). Crippen, K. J., Archambault, L. M. & Kern, C. L. ªe Nature of Laboratory Learning Experiences “Publishing in the in Secondary Science Online. Research in Science Education 43(3),1029-1050 (2013). Biochemical Journal Davies, S. Covering the Distance. Environmental Scientist, 34-39 (2011). has never been easier!” Kellogg, S. Distance Learning: Online Education. Nature 478, Peter Shepherd, 417-418 (2011). Chair of the Editorial Board Mawn, M., et al. Hands- on and online: scientific explorations through distance learning, Open The Biochemical Journal prides itself on a painless publishing Learning 26(2),135-146 (2011). strategy – if your work is identi ed as novel and interesting, Miller, K. W. Teaching Science Methods Online: Myths About you will not be asked to undertake extra experiments unless Inquiry-Based Online Learning, Science the reviewers feel it is absolutely necessary to justify the Educator 17(2), 80-86 better aligned so that “the nature of in the future. With the availability digital literacy skills, and still (2008). conclusions in your paper. Olson, S. & Loucks- science is more clearly addressed, of technology and online courses ensuring some ‘real world’ practical Horsley, S. (Eds) Inquiry the work of students becomes the ‘anytime, anywhere’ approach experiences for the students. and the National more collaborative and authentic, to learning is rapidly evolving. In the end, as Kellogg (2011) Science Education Standards: A Guide for Five more reasons to publish with us and the formative elements of It has been said (Miller, 2008) reported, the success of online, as Teaching and Learning, a scientific inquiry are more that “today’s students require with on-campus, learning depends Washington DC, National Academies Top Quartile Journal in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology category* accessible to all participants”. coursework when they want it, on students’ commitment to a Press (2000). Mawn and colleagues (2011) where it is convenient for them, and course of study. The author quotes Open University Over 7 million page views per year and increasing explored how online students how it fits their needs”. the then executive director of the (2013a & b) Water quality monitoring engaged in learning processes Related to this, an interesting Sloan Consortium (Massachusetts): topic, Practical No submission or page charges and reached aspect of “It’s not about whether it’s online or Environmental Science, three important teaching online on the ground. You can have good virtual learning environment. Module Immediate publication conclusions about is that as people or bad experiences in both areas.” description available which all of us access this Either way, a further key point online at: www3.open.ac.uk/ Open Access Option available (Opt2Pay: CC-BY licence; automatic engaged in such flexible approach must be quality assurance through study/undergraduate/ deposition in PubMed central) and NIH compliant learning should to learning appropriate management systems course/sxe288.htm think. Firstly, the range and processes. (accessed 9 July 2013). Robinson, D. J. process-related of students’ In addition to canvassing Collaborative objectives are experiences and feedback from students and Experiments Online in Editorial Board as important backgrounds tutors at the end of online course a Module Presented Globally. Bioscience Chair Reviews Editor as content- may be very presentations, there would seem to Education 18 (2011). related wide. If the be scope for further research around Waldrop, M. M. ªe Peter R. Shepherd – Auckland Guy Salvesen – La Jolla objectives. Secondly, students tutor can foster a safe, supportive pedagogies and perceptions on Virtual Lab. Nature OCK 499, 268-270 (2013). benefit from opportunities to learning environment, students can online learning, including those of Vice Chairs discuss their findings with a bring their professional experience employers. In particular, there needs TTERS T The Americas Guy Salvesen – La Jolla HU peer group. And thirdly, open into discussions. Davies (2011) to be more research to evaluate and Asia-Paci c Tao Xu – Beijing Find us on ended online experiments may suggests that the very use of creative compare the effectiveness of online Europe Dario Alessi – Dundee L JUNG/S * 2012 Journal Citation Reports® (Thomson Reuters) encourage students in self directed technologies can connect people to practical science learning versus questioning and exploration. From share experiences and collaborate lab based learning. a practitioner’s perspective these in problem solving as they develop points do seem to resonate. their skills. FURTHER READING AND LINKS MIC HAE OCK, The e-learning landscape It is, therefore, possible to teach ■ Bristol ChemLabS Submit your paper today! www.biochemj.org TTERS T can contain a range of learning practical environmental science well www.chemlabs.bris.ac.uk/ HU pedagogies (educational techniques) online. In doing so it is important LabSkills.html O/S and it is important to think about to develop skills in students and ■ Open University virtual which skills in practical science are tutors using a variety of techniques: experiments EC LLOD
needed now, and will be needed developing practice, developing www.opensciencelab.ac.uk ANG E
Images courtesy of: (Biomolecules) G. Salvesen, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla | (Cell) Gordon Beakes, Newcastle University | (Gene) Microbiology at Leeds, University of 38 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION ON THIS ARTICLE? CONTACT US AT BIOLOGIST¶SOCIETYOFBIOLOGY.ORG Leeds | (Energy) Carmen A. Mannella, Research and Technology, Wadsworth Center, Albany, NY | (Disease) M. Sharon Stack, University of Missouri | (Plant) Jan A. Miernyk, University of Missouri | (Signal) Graham Côté, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON SPOTLIGHSP T ON Cryobiology AT A GLANCE INTERVIEW
What does your research involve? I develop cryopreservation techniques for preserving the sperm, eggs and larvae of the commercially important shellfish species we have here in New Name Zealand – green shell mussels, Serean Adams pacific and flat oysters, abalone Profession and geoducks (Panopea generosa), Cryobiology a large edible clam. I’m developing and marine the freezing techniques and making biotechnology them robust enough to apply in scientist, selective breeding. Cawthron Institute, New How does cryopreservation help Zealand selective breeding? Qualifications Being able to store the embryos or Samples are PhD (marine sperm gives breeders more control frozen in straws science), – you can make crosses on demand with liquid nitrogen University of between particular individuals and Otago it provides a bank or library of your neck called a siphon and you slice it the cells sufficiently slowly to an Interests most valuable individuals that you up and eat it raw. intermediate sub-zero temperature Shellfish can go back to, which is important if (about -30 to -40) then almost all aquaculture, breeding objectives change. It also How do you freeze the shellfish of the water moves out of the cell cryobiology, means you can create a reference embryos and sperm? and eventually when we plunge reproduction and family you can use to compare across We use chemicals called the cells into liquid nitrogen, the developmental generations, instead of using a bunch cryoprotectants to protect the cells cytoplasm of the cell is sufficiently biology in aquatic of wild families as a benchmark. while they are cooled. Antifreeze concentrated that it vitrifies (forms species, marine Mostly the industry is looking to (ethylene glycol) is used as it a glassy state). If there is still lots biotechnology, breed shellfish with a high meat lowers the temperature at which of water inside the cell, ice will conservation to shell ratio, but also it’s about the water in the cell freezes. Some form intracellularly and that kills biology, making really nice looking oysters. work outside the cell or stabilise the cell. Equally if we cool really, ecotoxicology Oyster herpes had a huge impact the membrane. These chemicals really slowly we expose the cell to on the industry recently so a lot of are often toxic to the cell and their high solute concentrations and can their focus is on developing disease effects vary so we play around with damage the cell that way. resistant lines. different amounts for each species. It is also important to control e term ‘cryobiology’ conjures up Cryobiology is the study of how low Cryogenics is a field outside mainstream material is also a huge area for research, Do you eat a lot of seafood or has it the rate of cooling and warming. images of a classic science lab with temperatures affect organisms, biological cryobiology, which involves freezing human with many applications in industries such as put you off? When ice forms in the extracellular lots of dry ice fog and bubbling liquid systems, or biological materials. Research bodies or body parts, such as the head, in agriculture, for example protecting plants I don’t like oysters! I’ve tried space, it draws out water from the nitrogen. Is your lab like that? uses temperatures ranging from slightly the hope of future revival. ªis remains a from frost. Cryo-electron microscopy is a geoduck sashimi, which was really extracellular solution. Water is Ha ha, yes. Half of what I do is like lower than normal (hypothermic) to distant prospect. special research tool that allows scientists to nice. They have this long sort of drawn out of the cell too. If we cool witchcraft, half of it is science. cryogenic (−150°C and lower). study biological materials without fixing them There is a lot of mixing together What careers are available? or staining them. various cryoprotectants and we use Why is cryobiology important? Cryobiologists work in a range of industries dry ice, liquid nitrogen and specially Low temperatures have been used in medicine and research areas. ªere are many Where can I get more information? controlled freezers. We also make and to prevent food spoilage since ancient industrial and medicinal applications of ªe Society for Cryobiology and the Society for little rafts out of polystyrene that times. Nowadays cryopreservation (freezing) cryopreservation (see interview opposite) and Low Temperature Biology have promoted the float the specimens just above the is used in fertility treatment, the transport of low temperatures are used in a range of direct work of cryobiologists since 1964. ªey both Being able liquid nitrogen. The thicker the raft, human organs, and the long term storage of medical treatments, from minimally invasive host an annual international meeting and the to store the the slower the rate of cooling. biological specimens, either for future study ‘cryosurgery’ to simply freezing warts off. Society for Cryobiology publishes the journal embryos or or simply as a record of biodiversity. Careers are available developing the tools and Cryobiology. See their websites for information sperm gives What do you like about cryobiology? Certain bacteria can survive thousands of technology of these processes as well as in on cryobiology research, jobs, endorsed It is such an interdisciplinary field. years in extremely cold temperatures, while the research labs and industries that use them. cryobiology related courses and meetings. breeders When you go to a cryobiology meeting many plants and animals have interesting ªe study of cold-adapted organisms and www.societyforcryobiology.org more control there are so many interesting Inducing mussels to adaptations to prevent their tissues freezing. the effect of low temperatures on biological www.sltb.info spawn for breeding people, in such a diverse array of fields, applying it in so many ways.
40 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 41 As an academic I was always up Dr Anastasia to date with recent developments in the biosciences and networking Charalampopoulou MSB with people from all over the Members Growing up in Greece I spent world. I joined the Society because my summers by the sea, amazed I think it will help me do the by nature. It wasn’t long before Amazed same now that I am in working I decided I wanted to study by nature in industry. marine biology. as a child, MEMBER PROFILES In my free time I enjoy diving MEMBER NEWS I pursued Helena After a degree in biology my marine and hiking. My next holiday will at Aristotle University of biologist be in Indonesia where I will be Inspire a new generation Society Fellow Thessaloniki, Greece, I pursued dream diving at Komodo and hiking up a Tate AMSB my marine biologist dream volcano in Lombok. I can’t wait. to front RI I graduated from the University by doing an MSc and PhD in of York with a BSc in cell biology biological oceanography at the Christmas and biochemistry and, having University of Southampton. flirted with careers in book My PhD research focused on Lectures publishing and osteopathy, I the effects of climate change r Alison Woollard FSB is became a registered biomedical and ocean acidification on Dto present the 2013 Royal scientist working in the NHS at coccolithophores, a group of Institution Christmas Lectures. Stoke Mandeville Hospital in calcifying marine phytoplankton. In the famous festive addresses Buckinghamshire. Through I had the opportunity to go on Dr Woollard, a geneticist at the this I was given the opportunity research cruises to Svalbard, department of biochemistry at the to study a PhD at the University in the Arctic, and the Southern University of Oxford, will explore of Westminster researching Ocean. Both were rewarding developmental biology, looking at into a rare but potentially and inspiring experiences. the transformation of a single cell life-threatening blood- into a complex organism. clotting disorder – thrombotic I work as an aquatic ecologist Her ‘Life Fantastic’ lectures thrombocytopenic purpura. for an environmental will be broadcast on BBC Four Part of my research is to look consultancy, at Jacobs UK in three parts: “Where do I come at how patient genotype can Ltd. I specialise in marine from?”, “Am I a mutant?” and affect treatment response to phytoplankton ecology but I am “Could I live forever?” the drug rituximab. also involved in fisheries and “I am incredibly proud to water-quality work. My current be presenting the Christmas My family was my biggest role involves investigating Lectures,” said Dr Woollard. influence. Having a father who potential impacts of power- “Everyone has an inner scientist was an engineer and two older station operation on marine and I hope ‘Life Fantastic’ will brothers, something was always environments, particularly get people excited by the idea of being dismantled and put together plankton and fish populations. Professor Jane doing science themselves, as well again on the kitchen table. as encourage them to join the debate around complex issues Research students are Calvert FSB in biomedicine.” encouraged to become members nephropathy at Imperial College, under the of professional bodies to Dr Ben Weston CBiol FSB guidance of Professor Roger Mason. During my As dean of undergraduate My greatest career rewards have facilitate communication and studies at King’s and Imperial I was given the studies for the Faculty of Medical come from my interactions with the exchange of ideas. One of my I have always been opportunity to lecture students and run Sciences at Newcastle University students. I love to teach because it goals is to gain Chartered Scientist fascinated by the practical classes, and it was here that my love I am responsible for ensuring stimulates me to improve my own status so the Society’s continuing natural world, of teaching blossomed. After I completed my that our students have the best understanding and I get a buzz out professional development scheme especially the postdoc I applied to become a biology teacher at experience that we can offer. of sharing my passion and inspiring will help me to evidence the interface between Highgate School in London, where I have taught I believe that the Society’s the next generation of scientists. competencies required. biology and for 10 years. accreditation scheme has an chemistry and, more important role to play in supporting At school I had an inspirational In my spare time I play the alto recently, evolutionary Having been head of biology for the last the development and delivery of teacher, Miss Jacklin, and at and soprano saxophone in an biology. Going to four years, I find the pupils I teach are a great high quality, research led bioscience university I became interested in ensemble, which challenges me in school in rural inspiration to me and it is very rewarding to degree programmes. microbiology, then immunology. many different ways. Norfolk, I knew that help them develop as life scientists, and to see a After my PhD I had the opportunity I love to I wanted to attend large number go on to university to study a I took up my position at Newcastle to do a postdoc in Birmingham, teach I also try to sneak off and climb university in London relevant discipline – definitely my best University in 1984. In the early Alabama, with Dr Max Cooper. because I get the odd mountain when I can. and chose King’s achievement professionally. years of my career I was mainly a buzz out My bags are currently packed College, where I completed undergraduate and focused on research, investigating Outside of work I spend a lot of of sharing for Mount Toubkal in the Atlas PhD degrees in biochemistry. In my spare time I like to get out on my bike how antibody responses are time in the Yorkshire Dales with my passion Mountains so I’m looking forward as much as possible but, more recently, seem to regulated, but over time I became my dog Max. I sing in a choir and to stretching my eyes – and legs. I spent a very enjoyable five years carrying have developed an alternative career as a taxi more involved with teaching. enjoy reading detective novels. out postdoctoral research into diabetic driver for my two sons, Etienne and Olivier.
42 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 43 MEMBER PROFILES
OCTOBER 2013 ELECTION Dr Gareth Matthews MSB James Leaf New, Transfer & Chartered Members
AMSB Affiliate Aysun Styles, Stefan Szymkowiak, Farah Nichola Johnston, Samireh Jorfi, Mayia Kathryn Abreu, Vanessa Agnew, Elena Tahamsebi, Simas Tatoris, Paris Tatt-Smith, Karachaliou, Ross King, Clare Kingsley, Support I am currently Ahmed, Holly Allen, Jessica Alsopp, Bridie Michael Taylor, Rachel Taylor, Genet Tefera, Craig Knight, Madzia Kowalski, Wai Lung doing Andrews, Daija Angeli, Rachel Argo, Aisah Pratish ªakore, Marakarasi ªiakarajan Lai, Jacqueline Law, Jennifer Lee, Hong- your postgraduate Aubdool, Nicholas Austin, Laura Averill, Sethu, Robin ªompson, Chris Tovey, Fern Sheng Lim, Lorena del Rosario Lizarraga Halima Azim, Shannon Bailey, Jo Bale, Amy Towers, Andrew Trigg, Jade Tuck, Eleanor Valderrama, Cecilia Lui, David MacDonald, local teacher Bales, Andrew Barnsley, Olivia Barraclough, Tye, Michal Tykac, Whitney Usenbor, Gloria Jason Manton, Andre Marques Smith, Zoe training, Charlotte Barrie, Joshua Bateson, Nicola Uwadiegwu, Supreeta Vijayakumar, Joseph Martin, William Mauchline, Sarah McAuliffe, branch teaching Bedford, Elliott Bernard, James Berry, Gaby Vinson, Ayla Wahid, Cristina Wang Tao, Amy Daireann McDonnell, James McLean, Krista Our branches rely Bezzubovaite, Ceren Bilgili, Craig Bisset, Ward, James Watt, Gary Way, Louise Wells, McLennan, Roger Melliger, Gabriel Mutungi, biology at on your support. Katie Blaylock, Nicky Britton-Williams, Beth Westwood, Mary Wheeler, Rebecca Yuen Ng, Rachael Oaten, Albert Okorocha, If you would like a school in Robyn Broad, Jack Broadbent, Gari Brown, Williamson, Katie Willis, Bethany Wilson, Osahon Osadolor, Chris People, Gus Pettitt- York. I want Lucy Brown, Shanice Brown-Moncrieffe, Katrina Wiseman, Amy Withers, Alexander Wade, Liz Price, Iain Reid, Emily Richmond, to give a careers to inspire a new generation Richard Bruce, Matthew Burgess, Clair Wood, Rebecca Woolridge, Katie Wright, Andrea Rickard, Sophie Robinson, Anna talk at your local school or help with of biologists, and have a Butland, Iona Campbell, Sarah Chacko, Maria Zicos. Ryan, Ramesh Sagili, Kay Savage, Varun Lewis Chambers, Zoi Chatzi, Holly Chilcott, Sawhney, Giovanni Sena, Kerry Simpson, public engagement particular interest in promoting Cristo Cicero, Marianne Clemence, Anthony Associate (AMSB) Joanne Spurgeon, Martyn Stenning, Rachel activities then get education for pupils from Coffey, Fraser Collins, Lucy Coward, Holly Clare Adams, Kirsten Adams, Ryan Bennett, Stubbington, Hephzi Angela Tagoe, Matthew in touch with them underprivileged backgrounds. Craven, Alessandro Darter, Katherine Davies, Matthew Brennan, Louise Brown, James ªakur, Li Tian, Kenneth Wade, ªomas – contact details Caroline Daye, Tomas de la Fuente Marques, Butler, ªomas Butler, Zohra Butt, Aria Watson, David Webster, Amy Whetstone, on page 49. Matthew Dean, Yuliia Didan, Sarah Dowd, Butterwick, Mia Cahill, Stefanie Carter, Sultan Vivienne Wilson, Leo Wong, Sani Yahaya, I completed my BSc (Hons) Laura Duncan, Georgina Dunlop, Lucy Dye, Cetiner, Jade Cogdale, Benjamin Conlon, Richard Young. degree in physiology at Georgina Edkins, Andrew Edwards, Fatima Elvira Conlon, Natasha Curley, Jonathan the University of Liverpool, El-Fitouri, Peter Elphick, Eve Englefield, Decker, Anton Dietschel-Buehler, Katie RSci MSB winning both the Physiological Matthew Errington, Signem Eyuboglu Dinc, Donovan, Lin Eastaugh, Stuart Edgington, Benjamin Swift. Elizabeth Fisher, Luke Flannery, Danielle Eric Edmonds, Isabelle Ellis-Cockcroft, Society Prize for outstanding Fleet, Stephen Fletcher, Tina Fletcher, Holly Emmens, Ashley Emslie, Ashley Ferro, Chartered Biologist Member (CBiol MSB) performance throughout my Damien Foreman, Hannah Foster, Stuart Jasmine Foley, George Fowler, Christopher Helen Brown, Jonathan Caddick, Anastasia degree, and the Society of Biology Fraser, Ashley Gains, Jacob Gibson, Shantel Fullwood, Lindsay Fulton, Harpreet Charalampopoulou, Alejandro Correa, Glaister, Mary Goodwin, Felicia Goualin, Ghataore, Jonathan Goodwin, Iain Gordon, Jason Easter, David Hanlon, Linsey Haswell, I am a research fellow studying Dr Matthews of Professor Christopher Huang. Top Student Award for graduating Robyn Graham-Wilkinson, Harry Green, Ellen Gough, Samantha Guest, ªomas Jenny Chung-Yee Ho, Kris Jeremy, Ashley (centre), his wife cardiac arrhythmias at the Despite being an internationally with the highest undergraduate Isabella Grimes, Rhys Grinter, Georgina Guilliam, Kathryn Hamilton, Gillian Hargrave, Jonas, Michel Khoodoo, Rowland Lees, University of Cambridge. Dr Claire Currie, renowned researcher for his work degree across the faculty of health Grove, Peter Gurney, Joshua Hallows, Pascoe Harvey, Yousef Hawsawi, Jack Amber Murch, Osahon Osadolor, Yusrizam and Professor Arrhythmias, or irregular on skeletal and cardiac muscle, he and life sciences at Liverpool. Emmaleigh Hamilton, Rachel Hampson, Haynes, Daniel Hollingsworth, Tara Hoole, Sharifuddin, Eva Sharpe, Jennifer Smith, Christopher Huang Shelley Harris, Owen Harrison, Sophie Kate Howell, Michelle Hulin, Jay Humphrys, David Tigwell, Mun Yam. heartbeats, represent the second outside Murray went out of his way to help with my Hart, Ashleen Higgins, Jonathan Holmes, Lara Husain, Christopher Jackson, Claudia greatest cause of death worldwide, Edwards College, science. As a result I completed my A passion for science Emily Horrocks, Elspeth Houlding, Elaine Kathe, Sean Kelly, Ramsay Khadeir, Doaa Chartered Scientist Member (CSci MSB) exceeded only by all types of University of PhD with 12 publications. And also was instilled in me by an How, Sophie Hunt, Samuel Huntingdon, Kredi, Gareth Krummeck, Katerina Lawlor, Ian Devonshire, Nicholas Humphreys, Marie cancer combined. My work has Cambridge found time to get married! enthusiastic school teacher, Philip Hutchinson, Sophie Hutchinson, Felix Sam Leonard, Tin Lung Leung, Yuet Kan McKenzie-Mills, David Morland, Minal Pandya, Inganda, Linda Izuka, Matthew Jackson, Liu, Callum Macgregor, Will Matthews, Huw Turk, Karen Williams, Paula Williams. focused on heart rhythm changes Mark Langley, now a professional Eleanor Jayawant, Callum Jeffrey, Mari Jones, Vivienne Mechie, Charlotte Miller, Jai-Paal that occur when heart rate I joined the Society as it is a development leader at the Rebecca Jones, Rebecca Jones, Zarrin Kadir, Mudhar, Anantha Barathi Muthukrishnan, Fellow (FSB) increases. I am also a teaching professional body with quality National Science Learning Centre Eva Kaulich, Samuel Kay, David Kealy, Adam ªomas Myerscough, Laura Nolan, Richard Anthony Baines, Geoffrey Baldwin, fellow in medical physiology at and ethical standards. The study in York. An exceptional A level Keen, Alexander Kelly, Michael Kennington, O’Hanlon, Bianca op den Brouw, Jignesh David Barrett, Roger Bick, Hilary Bird, Adrianna Kepinska, Hannah Khwaja, Alex Panchal, Lucie Parr, Geraint Parry, Ridhwan Marian Bond, Rituparna Bose, Alan Boyd, Murray Edwards College. of biology has wide-reaching teacher, Robert Gardener of Kilvington, Christopher King, Jennifer Patel, Unnati Patel, Richard Phillips, Sarah Bernadette Byrne, Gus Cameron, Bambos I studied for my medical importance in healthcare, both York College, potentiated my King, Matthew Kirkham, Orla Kirkland, Ilias Pinder, George Powell, Lewis Quayle, Nina Charalambous, John Colbourne, Sofia degree at Downing College clinically and in industry, making a enthusiasm for biology. Kouzoukakis, Anita Kristiansen, Annabelle Richartz, Philip Riddell, Samantha Rivers, Consuegra Del Olmo, Simon Croft, Tudor before moving to Gonville and professional standard essential. Lane, Mathew Lane, Jessica Lea, Murray Daniel Rowson, Nithya Selvan, Julia Simpson, Dawkins, Dominique Despeyroux, Snezana Leitch, Kai Little, Pat Lomotey, Jayne Lopez, Emma Siragher, Iustina Slabu, Dominic Djordjevic, Michael Douek, Genoveva Caius College at the University of I am now returning to medicine but I recently became very Imogen Lowe, Katherine MacInnes, Isaac Taylor, Kathryn Tennant, Anna ªomson, Esteban, Colin Fricker, Niklas Gericke, Cambridge to study for a PhD in continuing my academic work at the interested in research into Marley, Aaron Marubbi, Stewart McCandlish, Silvana Tivadar, David Urry, Stella Victorelli, Annette Gough, Frank Gunn-Moore, cardiovascular electrophysiology. same time. I hope this dual training ubiquitination, the attachment Lauren McKechnie, Robert Middlewick, Matthew Viner, Nicholas Watkins, Nicholas Jonathan Ham, Robert Harris, Adam Hart, will allow me both to translate my of ubiquitin, a common protein, to Alisha Minhas, Amber Moore, Charlotte Westgarth, Andrew Wilson, Nathan Winch, Tetsuya Hirano, Nicholas Hole, Simon More, Natasha Morrison, Courtney Morson, Sertip Zangana. Hollingsworth, David Hoole, Hilary Hurd, During this period I was work into the clinic, but also to other proteins. It could potentially Hayley Moulding, Choolwe Mulenga, Rory Ahbor Ighoroje, William Johnson, Eleri Jones, particularly inspired by the garner new ideas for academic study provide strong therapeutic Murphy, Julie Nash, Mikhaela Neequaye, RSci AMSB Steve Kerrigan, Tracy Lawson, Catherine dedication and intellectual rigour from my interaction with patients. targets for numerous cancers and Winnie Ntow-boahene, Deborah Obuekwe, Benjamin Halsall. Lindon, Philip Maini, Enca Martin-Rendon, neurodegenerative disorders. Kuntal Pal, Jessica Parker, Kelly Parkin, John McGrath, Donald McManus, Francesco Aleesha Parmar, Megan Paterson, Lily Member (MSB) Michelangeli, Robert Michell, Sam Miller, I would love to see a small Francesca Patrick, Mark Patterson, Kim Raya Al-Shawi, Roslyn Anderson, Rachael Michael Moore, William O’Connor, Steve community. The event is Boyd, the chief scientific advisor mention of ubiquitination and Perrins, ªomas Perry, Kimberley Peterson, Antwis, Deborah Atkinson, Rhys Baker, Ormerod, Sharon Peacock, Anthony Perry, Social invitation only, but to enquire for DEFRA, will be speaking. phosphorylation at A level, since Lan Pham ªi, Jordan Portman, Andrew Mikaella Bennie, Amy Birch, Emma Bishop, Adrian Pierotti, Jacqui Piner, Mark Pook, Roy about attending, contact Additional panellists and the these signalling pathways have Powell, Kym Priest, Jade Procter, Lawrence Alix Blockley, Sarah Jayne Boulton, Lucie Powell, Robert Risk, Jeanette Rotchell, Colin Notices Pugh, Samir Qadery, Mariam Qazi, Keerthana Bowbrick, Rod Bulmer, Jess Buxton, Juan Sanders, Christopher Schofield, Graham [email protected] detailed programme will be become key concepts in biology. Rajakumar, Alexandra Rawlins, Paul Canete, Rachel Causey, Sze Wa Chan, Scott, Kevin Shakesheff, Paul Smith, S 11 December circulated as soon as possible. Richardson, Sam Richardson, Julia Roberts, Leonard Cheung, Wang Ngai Chow, Emily Sreenivasaprasad, Susan Stanford, Heleen Churchill Room, 11 December The meeting will be of most I joined the Society because I Rebecca Robinson, Isabella Rocca, Amy Roe, Clark, Susie Coyle, Nicola Crewe, Meera van de Weerd, Heather Wallace, Jeremy House of Commons Charles Darwin House, London interest to chief executives, feel it is important to keep up Sophie Roper, Alexandra Rose, Shanaka Cush, Kelly Ann Dallas, Victor Dapper, Walters, Simon Webster, Saffron Whitehead, Rupasinghe, Rebecca Sadler, Emma Salkeld, Alessio Delogu, Jessica Devonport, Tanya Craig Williams, Kay Yeoman, Mei-Yi Yuen, 19:00-22:00 Time TBC heads of policy and similar to date with developments in Alice Savory, Jo Scott, Jack Sears-Stewart, Diver, Helen-Marie Dunmore, Elizabeth Rolf Zeller, Nikolai Zhelev. The Society is organising a This year’s autumn Member senior level representatives biology, and because membership Hannah Seifert, Rachel Sewell, Laura Dunn, Ally Evans, Madeleine Fairweather, parliamentary Christmas Organisation Meeting will be a of our Member Organisations. provides ways to explore exciting Sheehy, Alicia Shepherd-Roberts, Alex Robert Finn, Dina Ghali, Victoria Gortowski, Chartered Biologist Fellow (CBiol FSB) reception on behalf of the panel discussion focusing on For more details contact educational opportunities for Simpson, Samantha Sinclair, Jacob Skinner, Elizabeth Granger, Rhys Grant, Timothy Steve Kerrigan, Jonathan Nguyen-Van-Tam. Ann Smith, Charlotte Smith, Devon Smith, Grocott, Venkata Gudimetla, Monique Hili, science and engineering research funding. Professor Ian [email protected] my pupils. Lynsey Smith, Paul Smith, Rebecca Smith, William Hope, Lesley Hoyles, Susie Humby, Chartered Scientist Fellow (CSci FSB) Sammy-jo Stalker, Ffion Storer-Jones, Annette Hutchinson, Dominic Jenner, Timothy Atkinson, Terence Gourlay.
44 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 45 Marianne UK,” explained Stancliffe. “These Overton and tags are enabling scientists at the Donna Staples BTO to do just this. They have already present Andrew Chick with a long highlighted hitherto unknown service award migration routes through Iberia and Branches (see Lunch on the Adriatic, identified stopover sites the Edge) and the winter location but there is still a lot more to uncover.” Anyone can follow these birds as they make their way to Africa at West Midlands www.bto.org, the BTO website. EVENTS EVENT Marianne Overton CBiol MSB DARWIN FESTIVAL 2014 CALENDAR Saturday 15 February 2014 14:00 REPORTS For more details and to book a place Norma Broadbridge will give a Kent, Surrey & Sussex on an event, see the Branch Contacts talk entitled ‘The Galapagos Islands: on page 49, or visit the Events page of 150 years on since Darwin’s visit’ BEER RESEARCH the Society website. and will cover what present day scabies (Scabiosa columbaria), and 4 September 2013 visitors can see of these unique East Midlands the oval sedge (Carex ovalis) also Since its inception in 1992, Hogs Back islands. Norma will discuss the appeared for the first time. It was a Brewery has won over 40 awards, East Midlands present pressures and problems WHISBY BIOBLITZ terrific event buzzing with with its Traditional English Ale voted and some of the solutions. Join 13 July 2013 enthusiastic experts and volunteers. CAMRA’s best beer in 2006. REGIONAL SCHOOLS BIOLOGY us at: Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Our challenge at Whisby Nature Park: Phil Porter LWT warden and This small brewery uses COMPETITION 193 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, identify 1,000 species on one site over Marianne Overton CBiol MSB techniques very similar to traditional Saturday 22 March 2014 09:45-14:30 SY2 6AH. one weekend. The joint bioblitz, led by craft brewers and produces over To celebrate National Science & To make a booking email Deirdre the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust LUNCH ON THE EDGE 7,000 gallons of real ale per week. Engineering Week, there will be a Marsh at westmidlands@ Beds, Essex & Herts (LWT) and the Lincolnshire 8 June 2013 Fermentable sugars are derived only series of biology poster, essay and societyofbiology.org Naturalists’ Union (LNU), fell just Three licensed ringers demonstrated from malted barley and the hops podcast competitions at the SCIENCE UNCOVERED short with a still-impressive total of netting and ringing farmland birds at used are local whole hop flowers. The University of Leicester. Students will FAMILY DAY DAFFODIL WALK 27 September 2013 889 species. An amazing 126 species an award-winning conservation area yeast strain is carefully be encouraged to ask: ‘What will the AND LECTURE Our branch attended the annual were new to the reserve’s list, on the Lincolnshire Cliff Edge, home to maintained and reused and, world be like in 100 years’ time?’ Saturday 22 March 2014 Science Uncovered event at the Natural confirmed by the 17 LNU specialists. Peter and Marianne Overton. Ringers at the end of the For further details contact Cas Family day for members and their History Museum in Tring. It may have It is important to influence Alan Ball and Keith Boden gave us a fermentation, the beer is Kramer ([email protected]) or guests. Guided walk to view wild been the third year in succession but youngsters about the value of the chance to see wild birds up close and to cask or brewery Rosemary Hall (rosemaryhall1969@ daffodils, an SSSI and historic the enthusiasm and interest of our natural world and local LWT Wildlife learn how to assess and record their conditioned. btinternet.com). churches, followed by wild daffodil visitors was undiminished. Watch groups. Schools came armed condition and other details. Noel Armstrong from talk. Lunch in church hall and The challenge of the day – “which is with specimen pots and searched The Lincolnshire Edge runs north Hogs Back entertained refreshments. Kempley, the odd one out: spider, fly, butterfly?” – through the hectare of protected to south and forms a natural us with his knowledge Kent, Surrey & Sussex Gloucestershire. Further provided plenty of correct answers but education habitats to find the sort of migration route for birds to ‘lunch on Hogs Back and enthusiasm for the information and booking details on very different reasons. Well done to the mini-beasts that adults often miss. the edge’. Donna Staples, coordinator brewery brewery’s products and TOUR OF THE GARDENS AND the website in the new year. young biologist who declared “the The LWT Education Centre provided of the RSPB Explorer groups, with a succession of jugs of SEED BANK AT WAKEHURST spider of course, it is an arachnid!” excellent visual aids such as presented a long service award to beer and cider. Following the tour, Wednesday 18 December TOXICOLOGY LECTURE The question “what gives a microscopes and projectors, while local group leader Andrew Chick. we were privileged to have chief 2013 11:00 Late March/early April peacock feather its colour?” led to a officers from LWT HQ helped to keep Paul Stancliffe, of the British Trust brewer Miles Chesterman answer Due to the popularity Aston University, Birmingham. good discussion on the link between track of the stream of information for for Ornithology (BTO), spoke about our more scientific questions on the of our visit in July we For confirmation of date and booking physics and biology. the species lists. the recent strides made in migration art and science of brewing. will be returning to arrangements see the events website Vivienne Heys CBiol MSB and The most specialised contributions route research. Dr David Ware CBiol FSB Wakehurst Place. in the new year. Jacky McPherson CBiol MSB came from the Environment Agency, “Over the last couple of decades Meet at 11:00 for a whose staff dealt with single celled many of our summer migrants have tour of the gardens. freshwater animals and algae. shown alarming declines and it has Northern Ireland After lunch, at 13:30, ´e Millennium Lichens, mosses, slugs, snails, flies, become more and more important to we will meet up with Seed Bank beetles and moths were also identified. understand their complete migratory MAMMAL CONSERVATION laboratory manager Exhibition In order to expand the lists with cycle,” said Stancliffe. He also IN THE EU Keith Manger and head of nocturnal animals, two moth lights explained how satellite tags, 11-16 August 2013 research Professor Hugh succeeded in attracting about 100 weighing less than 5g, have allowed The Society sponsored a lecture Pritchard, who will take us on a species. The real surprise was finding birds as small as cuckoos to be guided tour of the laboratories, Nathusius’ pipistrelle (Pipistrellus tracked around the globe. This helps dry rooms, cold rooms and other nathusii) a new and rare species for answer questions on migration From left: Professor Ian facilities at the Millennium the reserve. routes, where birds stop over to rest Montgomery, Seed Bank. Admission is free On the second day, a visiting and feed, and the precise location of conference for National Trust members, entomologist found the their wintering areas. organiser; Dr Dai children under 16 and Friends of Ringer Alan Ball characteristic pupal cases of the “Having lost over 50% of our Roberts, chair Kew. For other members there is (in blue) teaches large red-belted clearwing moth breeding cuckoos during the last 25 of the Northern East Midlands Ireland branch; an entry fee. If you wish to attend members how (Synanthedon culiciformis), which years, it is vital to understand the András Demeter, then please email our secretary at to assess a had never been recorded here before. pressures these different populations European [email protected] wild bird The pale lavender-flowered small face – here and when they leave the Commission
46 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 www.societyofbiology.org/events www.societyofbiology.org/events Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 47 BRANCHES EVENT REPORTS BRANCH
black. Our knowledgable guide, Nigel Dr Leroy Shervington and colleagues heathland, the group learned about CONTACTS Brown, explained the intricacy of from UCLAN for hosting the event. the deer population of the forest and fungi, the challenges they present to Graham Bonwick CBiol FSB management of the four main BEDS, ESSEX & HERTS taxonomists and their strategies for populations: fallow (Dama dama), roe Dr eresa Huxley reproduction and survival, chemical WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY (Capreolus capreolus), red (Cervus [email protected] complexity and the delights and WORKSHOP elaphus) and sika (Cervus nippon). affronts they can impose on our senses. 11 May 2013 We ended with a challenge: how do DEVON & CORNWALL There was a profusion of the deadly The workshop took place on Hilbre you age a tree? One easy way is to ‘hug Christine Fry (to plants) honey fungus (Armillaria Island, a small uninhabited island for 100’ – if one person’s arms fit round [email protected] mellea), with its fruiting bodies lined located in the Dee Estuary. The party a tree it indicates 100 years of growth up along the lawns. This was set off from the slipway at West Kirby in some species. An interactive map is EAST ANGLIA puzzling, as the fungus is a root under the watchful eye of Wildlife being developed from a database of Amanda Burton parasite but made its way across the Photographer of the Year, Glenn ancient and unusual trees in the UK, [email protected] grass and not around a tree. Perhaps Upton-Fletcher, and leading the Ancient Tree Hunt. from András Demeter, adviser for Members in its black rhizomorphs were following biological illustrator Mike Clapham. Dr Marja Aberson MSB EAST MIDLANDS the European Commission’s North Wales a straight root run from a distant tree. Crossing the sands at low tide, first Rosemary Hall environment directorate, as part of enjoying a Red admiral butterflies were also in to Little Eye then Middle Eye, meant [email protected] the 11th International Mammalogical fungal foray abundance, and we saw them feeding that the party was ultimately cut off West Midlands Congress at Queen’s University on fermenting fallen apples and from the mainland by the advancing KENT, SURREY & SUSSEX Belfast. Over 120 delegates from the becoming intoxicated and less cautious tide. On arrival we were greeted by scientists involved volunteered Members of the CANNOCK SEWAGE WORKS Dr David Ware congress and local branch attended as a result. The afternoon ended with the unexpected sight of the Hilbre through the Society of Biology and Wessex branch 10 June 2013 kentsurreysussex@ this enthusiastic review of the an inspection of the massed collection Island bluebells and after scrambling ranged from academics and enjoy a visit to Following a warm welcome from societyofbiology.org established directives and direction of the two dozen foragers. over sculpted Bunter Sandstone, consultants to test pilots and authors. the New Forest Deirdre Marsh, Severn Trent’s senior of European conservation. Professor John Solbé MBE CBiol FSB refuge from the elements was sought Other activities included a adviser on Public Health and LONDON The presentation focused on in the old warden’s cottage. planetarium show, chemistry Standards and committee member, Ken Allen mammals (the conference theme) but An introduction to some of the demonstrations involving liquid the group split up to visit Cannock [email protected] also provided a detailed overview of North Western basics of practical wildlife nitrogen, talks from local companies, Sewage Works. One half was given an the EU Habitats Directive and the photography was provided, plus a DSTL, PHE and Harnham Water insight into the microbiology of the NORTH WALES Natura 2000 network. Natura 2000 SCHOOLS QUIZ guide to equipment essentials. This Meadows Trust. Student teams also activated sludge process with a Dr Rosemary Solbé is the largest science-based, legally 19 July 2013 was followed by a chance to put our competed in an Engineering Challenge fascinating presentation from Severn [email protected] binding ecological and conservation This year 24 teams of four students new found ideas into practice to build towers from spaghetti. This is Trent Water biologist Ian Gray. network in the world. It consists of descended on the University of supported by Glenn’s expert one to one an annual event hosted by the school The other half donned hard hats, NORTH WESTERN over 26,000 sites covering almost Central Lancashire to pit their wits tuition. An invaluable introduction to which always relies on the generous yellow high visibility jackets and Glenn Upton-Fletcher 18% of the EU’s landmass and more against branch members, who set the the challenges of wildlife photography, support of local volunteers in giving up protective gloves for a tour of the [email protected] than 145,000km2 of its seas. Under quiz. Pupils from schools and complete with their time for the girls. treatment works. Our excellent the Habitats Directive, 128 species of sixth form colleges across intermittently hostile Jane Brown guide, experienced site operator Tom NORTHERN mammal need strict protection with the North West tackled weather, made for a Ward, was enthusiastic and Dr Michael Rowell less than 15% in favourable and 40% 10 diverse questions, highly enjoyable A FOREST THROUGH TIME knowledgable, explaining how raw [email protected] in unfavourable conservation status. including practical and rewarding day 14 September 2013 sewage was collected from the There remain large gaps in our and problem topped with a The New Forest is an area of surrounding areas and treated on site NORTHERN IRELAND understanding of the conservation solving tasks, such diverse range of outstanding natural beauty that has before the cleaned water was Dr David Roberts status of mammals in Europe, as taxonomic marine wildlife been of scientific interest for 40 years. discharged into the waterways. [email protected] particularly marine species. We also identification using observations In 2005 it was designated as a It was an excellent day and heard about the challenges of large microscopy of skin including the local National Park. Gillie Hayball, a New members learned a great deal, SCOTLAND carnivore conservation in the region. and fur, matching Hilbre common seals. Forest park ranger, headed an particularly about the unsuitable Dr Jacqueline Nairn The presentation concluded with a hosts to parasites, Island Graham Bonwick engaging walk introducing its history, items that customers flushed into the [email protected] live demonstration of the Natura physiological and CBiol FSB management and conservation. Severn Trent’s sewers and the impact this has on 2000 Viewer, which provides pharmacological skills and The walk began upon the yew Tom Ward takes Severn Trent and the sewage THAMES VALLEY West Midlands electronic access to information on simulations, chemical analysis, cell capped Bolton’s Bench, an ancient members around treatment process. Thanks to Severn Dr Ray Gibson the 26,000 sites. biology and ecology. Wessex burial mound which offered beautiful the Cannock Trent for their kind hospitality. [email protected] Dr Dai Roberts CBiol FSB The first prize of a microscope was views of Lyndhurst and the Sewage Works Lesley Payne CBiol MSB awarded to The Manchester SCIENCE CAREERS DAY surrounding forest. The group was WESSEX Grammar School by Society chief 3 October 2013 lucky to also have the experience of Rachel Wilson North Wales executive Dr Mark Downs, with a Ambassadors from the Society took Barry Dowsett, an appointed [email protected] book for each team member. Book part in a science careers event at Forestry Commission verderer. FUNGAL FORAY IN TREBORTH prizes were also awarded to teams South Wilts Grammar School for ‘Verderer’ comes from the French WEST MIDLANDS 5 October 2013 finishing second (King George V Girls, Salisbury. The day was created word ‘vert’, meaning green, and the Deirdre Marsh Members joined students from College), third (St Wilfrid’s CE for the 130 Year 10 students and was New Forest verderers date back to [email protected] Prifysgol Bangor on a fungal foray to Academy) and fourth (Sandbach aimed at getting them to think about the 13th century. They regulate the Treborth, the University’s botanical High & Sixth Form College) and all how the sciences can be applied rights of commoners and set forest WESTERN garden. The autumn colours had participants received one of the beyond GCSE and A level. byelaws. One of the main rights of the Joan Ashley hardly developed due to the Indian limited edition souvenir mugs The event involved a speed dating- commoners is the ability to turn their [email protected] summer but the fungi made up for complete with the Society of Biology style session in which small groups of animals out to ‘pasture’. The diversity this with an amazing array of hues crest. As in previous years the students spent five minutes grilling a in grazing activity has helped shape YORKSHIRE from blush pink, through orange and standard was extremely high and the professional scientist before moving the landscape of the forest over time. Paul Bartlett brown to white, deep violet and North Western branch is indebted to on to the next one. Many of the After walking across the open [email protected]
48 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 www.societyofbiology.org/events www.societyofbiology.org/events Working in alludes to the complex and sometimes kin selection. With this, Hamilton Entomology controversial relationship between advanced evolutionary theory by Nature’s Rachel McLeod neuroscience and philosophy focusing on survival of the genes Oracle: The Amateur explored in this book – also known as rather than on the individual. Life and Entomologists’ the brain-mind debate. Hamilton is also considered to be an Work of W D Reviews Society, £10.48 Churchland proposes that ethical early advocate of sociobiology – the Hamilton Not many books questions about choice, learning and theory that social behaviour results are written by 14 morality can be explored and from evolution. “Hamilton year olds, understood by our growing Born in Cairo to New Zealanders, advanced especially not ones based on research understanding of biology and how Hamilton was educated in the UK evolutionary The Origin of Feces: conducted when the author was the brain works. She guides the but worked in the USA and later theory by What Excrement between 8 and 10 years old. I once met reader through a personal account returned to Oxford University as focusing on Tells Us About Rachel while undertaking a Bug of how neuroscience has enhanced Royal Society research professor. survival of Evolution, Ecology, Safari at her primary school and she her understanding of philosophy, Much of his fieldwork was conducted the genes” and a Sustainable stood out as exceptionally keen then often beginning with a tale from in the biodiversity rich Amazon and Society – and obviously still is, having set out her childhood that prompted a later the Congo. David Waltner-Toews to produce a career guide to personal conflict. Clever, controversial and ECW Press, £12.99 encourage other keen young people to Throughout the book she draws sometimes confrontational, One is drawn immediately to this consider working with insects. together evidence from behavioural Hamilton was primarily a scholar and book by its wonderfully whimsical The core of the book is a series of studies, psychological testing and researcher whose influence was title – a play on Darwin’s famous standardised interviews with neurological experiments that widely felt and whose legacy remains paper – and the merriment does not prominent entomologists covering demonstrate the delicate interplay through his own work and through end at the front cover. With chapters different aspects of entomology. The between function of the brain and that of colleagues and students. entitled Turds of Endearment and questions are highly incisive – human thought and behaviour. Ullica Segerstrale, professor of Know Sh*t: A Way Forward, there are including “What is the most Churchland doesn’t shy away sociology at Illinois Institute of plenty of puns, jokes and anecdotes, important question I should have from provocative questions such Technology, has produced an but the underlying message of how asked you?” – and she finishes by as: Is the soul separate from the interesting and readable biography management of natural waste can interviewing herself and answering brain? Is genocide in our genes? based on Hamilton’s letters, published provide a solution to environmental her own questions. And does sexual orientation have a work and the testimonies of friends challenges is a serious one. For example, Simon Leather kicks biological basis? She acknowledges and family. It is detailed and Waltner-Toews, a Canadian off with a personal account of his that “sciences of the mind can be uncompromising. Hamilton’s conservationist and epidemiologist, career path, starting at age three, unsettling” and draws the book to academic and personal worlds were outlines how in nature excrement is a illustrating how a child’s natural a close asserting the need for not perfect and nor was Hamilton. OCK source of food and energy and is interest in insects can develop into a balance and caution when The extensive notes and references important in the recycling of lifelong career. George McGavin gives interpreting results. will prove valuable to historians of TTERS T nutrients. This holistic view of poo is us an academic turned TV This book provides an excellent science and students of sociobiology. at odds with its perception in today’s expeditionist’s perspective, while overview and introduction to The text also provides an insight into ultra-sanitised developed societies, others cover genetic engineering, the fascinating subject of the major and minor players in
HU KJUUURS/S where it is seen as something forensics, evolution, behaviour, pest neurophilosophy. The conversational biological science, plus the unpleasant and which disposal of is, control and entomological supplies. tone and anecdotal nature of the book uncertainties, rivalries and er, the end point. The author finishes with her personal creates an engaging narrative and publishing paradoxes in evolutionary It is argued that while substandard thoughts on what it is to be an prevents the complex subject from and related science in the late 1900s, sanitation leads to fouling of entomologist, and a brief section on seeming impenetrable. Churchland many of which remain today. THE MARSUPIAL waterways and public health insects and conservation. has succeeded in creating a thought- Dr A M Mannion concerns, faeces should be embraced Aimed predominantly at other provoking and impassioned on an industrial scale as a ready made youngsters who she is out to inspire, exploration of how our brain works Climate Change: source of energy. Using biodigester this is also useful reading for the and what that says about us. Biological and MACROPOD technology, both human and animal parent of young “bug-aholics” who Jenni Lacey AMSB Human Aspects Kangaroo over thousands of years. Richly sewage can be digested anaerobically will be reassured that their offspring’s (2nd Edition) John Simons illustrated throughout, the book to make nitrogen-rich fertiliser and to enthusiasm might lead them to a Nature’s Oracle: Jonathan Cowie Reaktion Books, £9.99 interacts with key questions and produce methane to generate fascinating career. As Sir David The Life and Work Cambridge Kangaroo made the longlist of the contradictions of both kangaroo electricity and heat. Attenborough says in his preface: of W D Hamilton University Press, Society’s 2013 popular biology book identity and Australian identity. It Importantly, this would provide a “It is a fascinating read.” Ullica Segerstrale £34.99 award and is one of the latest offerings examines long relationships with simple, cost-effective solution to the Roger S Key Oxford University Literature on climate change and its in Reaktion Books’ widely acclaimed aboriginal Australia, including first reduction of greenhouse gas Press, £25.00 impact has burgeoned in the last few ‘Animal’ series. John Simons, an contact and “the burden of emissions from farming waste. Touching William Donald years as what was once a possibility expat Brit in the Australian university strangeness”; eating kangaroos and The electricity and fertiliser can be a Nerve Hamilton (1936- becomes a reality. Approximately half system and a multi-disciplinary culling them as pests as well as sold for profit and the heat generated Patricia S 2000) was best known (though the book is therefore concerned with Kangaroo animal academic, has crafted a lively, cuddling toy kangas at bedtime and reused on the farm to save money. Churchland relatively unsung) for his significant the record of climate change. “Links the engaging and reflective socio-cultural appropriating them in the name of A case of “where’s there’s muck, W W Norton and contribution to evolutionary theory, Topics include methods of climate animal to its and environmental history of the Aussie sport and nationhood. there’s brass”. Company, £16.69 notably for clarifying the role of self- reconstruction, such as continent and kangaroo, from the southern It is, as the publicity states, “a This book is recommended reading Patricia sacrificing behaviour as an dendrochronology, pollen analysis, the humans supercontinent Gondwana to Skippy. pouch-sized look” at an Australian for all those with an environmental Churchland is advantageous trait. oxygen and other isotopes, and their that invaded This is a big history that links the icon. A wonderful book for those who conscience – not just the organic widely recognised His work showed that altruistic interpretation, plus the proxy record Australia” kangaroo to its continent and the love, research or teach Australia. composters among us. as a pioneer of modern behaviour is advantageous as long as of climatic change through 5 billion humans that have invaded Australia Dr Robert Lambert Dr Andrew Taylor-Robinson CBiol FSB neurophysiology. The title neatly progeny or close relatives benefit, i.e. years of geological time including a
50 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 51 REVIEWS
relatively detailed documentation of since the 1970s. Challenges include Tobago’s bird life. This edition Holocene change. sustainable development, also includes pictures of more Additional chapters examine appropriate energies of the future, vagrants and a complete species list recent and future climatic change; and adaptation to a warmer world updated to 2010. the emphasis is on how climate has with an increasing population. Small enough to take into the influenced biological change since This is not a groundbreaking book, field, this book is presented more the Little Ice Age (c.1600); the record but it is a useful synthesis of recent as a reference guide. It contains of greenhouse gas accumulation in literature for undergraduates. interesting background information the atmosphere pre- and post- Dr A M Mannion about the islands and their habitats, accelerated fossil fuel use; and the but also some arguably superfluous influence of climate change on A Guide to the information in the rather verbose human activity. Birds of Trinidad species accounts (particularly for A Guide to The evidence for current warming and Tobago vagrants). It would have been more the Birds of and its impact on biological/ (3rd Edition) user friendly as a field guide if the Trinidad and ecological systems is also examined, Richard ffrench plates had been next to the species Tobago along with possible future effects Cornell University accounts and if distribution maps had including the identification of all- Press, £25.95 been provided for localised species. “Small important thresholds. From tiny If you are planning a trip, I can enough to How human impact has caused hummingbirds to spectacular scarlet thoroughly recommend this book. take into the climate change and how this is ibises, Trinidad and Tobago provides If you’re not planning a trip, I field, this affecting society are also debated, wonderful birding and this guide does thoroughly recommend it too. book is with sections on population, energy, the island’s brilliant bird life justice. Dr Rebecca Nesbit MSB & Phil Gould presented health, food security and ecological This is the third edition of the book more as a mechanisms for mitigating climate but the 40 colour plates, produced by Mating Males: An reference change. Some 70 pages are given to a group of eight artists, are new. Evolutionary guide” the political dimensions of climate Although tightly packed, the plates Perspective on change, which have mostly emerged beautifully depict Trinidad and Mammalian Reproduction Tim Glover Cambridge University Press, £29.99 This review has been a difficult task, partly because I know Tim Glover and enjoy his company, as the book is a curious mish-mash of different approaches to the reproductive biology of mammals. The 1970s and 1980s flavour is confirmed by the references. There isn’t an “evolutionary perspective” except in such phrases as “it is fashioned to suit the mode of coitus in each species” when talking of penis shape. Apart from a description of spermatogenic cycles in the middle of the book, the approach is much more for the lay reader than for the professional biologist. Nevertheless, biologists will learn a lot from it, such as the elephant is the only mammal that can step on its own penis. There are, however, lots of little errors, and a few big ones: that meiosis occurs after fertilisation in Lepidoptera (forgivable in a mammal-specialist); that the vomero- nasal organ “is essentially equine” (except for nearly all reptiles?); and I have a personal distaste for the use of “varies” where he means “differs”. Otherwise this is a useful book OCK for most modern biologists to read.
TTERS T Too much from the last century has
HU The scarlet ibis is found been forgotten in today’s teaching /S in Trinidad and Tobago programmes. ONP
LE Dr Jack Cohen CBiol FSB
52 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 Biofeedback
POST FROM A POSTDOC costs time and money, and you are pesticides.gov.uk) and regularly THE SOCIETY OF BIOLOGY MAGAZINE ■ ISSN 0006 3347Biologiste ■ SOCIETYOFBIOLOGY.ORG VOL 60 NO 5 ■ OCT/NOV 2013 Although Professor Turner’s article competing with people who already reported. The latest report, covering
EVENTS WILDLIFE CALENDAR WARNING INSIDE 2013 ‘The Problem with Postdocs’ have experience in the new area. the first quarter of 2013 and now How disease from domestic animals could wipe out iconic endangered species (The Biologist Vol 60(4) p9) is a I concur that scientists’ skills available online, provides details of good summation of the situation, should be welcomed and would the findings on individual chemicals. it is unfortunately nothing new. be beneficial in many arenas, It makes reassuring reading and is I am saddened that postdocs, for example politics, journalism, clear that, as far as human health is
MYCOLOGY RESEARCH BIOGRAPHY while being hailed as ‘crucial’ and teaching, patent law and industry, concerned, the difference in pesticide RICH PICKINGS FACT AND FISSION ALFRED RUSSEL WALLACE Exploring treasures Using neutrons to e legacy of a great in the fungal kingdom study biomaterials Victorian scientist
00_BIO_60_5_COVERS_V2.indd 1 19/09/2013 10:28 ‘indispensable’, are still perceived but there are some scientists who residue levels between food grown Send your as a ‘problem’. As my postdoc years should be able to remain scientists. conventionally and organically comments to increase, my feeling of being a I am grateful for the opportunities can be described as the difference Biofeedback, problem also increases. I have had and for my current between insignificant and irrelevant. Society of Biology, There is a long way to go before position. However, I am anxious This publicly available information Charles Darwin House, 12 Roger the majority of postdocs happily and about my future. should help the consumer make a Street, London easily transition into a new career Fiona Frame MSB rational food choice. WC1N 2JU in their thirties or forties. With only Dr Barbara Hall CBiol FSB or email 10% of postdocs going on to become RESIDUAL THOUGHTS biologist@ lecturers, academic supervisors and I would like to extend the comments societyofbiology.org PEER REVIEW postdocs need to be re-educated of Dr Victor M Shorrocks (The CLARIFICATION The Biologist and informed of realistic career Biologist Vol 60(5) p53) relating to In the article ‘The Journals They Are reserves the right destinations. Indeed, attitudes and my article ‘What’s Your Poison’ A-Changin’ (The Biologist 60(5) p10) to edit letters expectations of both parties require (The Biologist Vol 60(4) p28-31). Eva Amsen suggested Frontiers’ where appropriate. a dramatic shift if Professor Turner’s Enquiry into the safety and peer review process does not involve solution is to work. Specifically, if we nutritional merit of conventionally collaboration or require unanimity, are being told that we are surplus and organically produced food is when in fact it does. to requirements in our chosen yet another area where opinions In 2007, Frontiers designed and profession, where do we find the are at variance with the facts. built an online review forum that confidence to enter pastures new? Pesticides used by organic farmers, enables authors and reviewers The true long term solution would such as copper sulphate, pyrethrum to communicate and collaborate be to either reduce the intake of and rotenone, are of a similar directly with each other, as well as biology undergraduates, or increase order of magnitude of inherent reviewers amongst each other, until the number of stable scientist toxicity as pesticides used in consensus is reached and all agree positions, neither of which is likely conventional farming. unanimously to accept an article. to be economically viable. However, what counts are the Frontiers also discloses the names More departments are embracing pesticide residues that reach the of reviewers and handling editors the solution illustrated by Professor consumer via food. These are on accepted articles to promote Turner and have in-house careers systematically tracked by the accountability, constructiveness and advisers. It’s a positive move, but DEFRA Expert Committee on transparency. Overall, the mission let’s not forget that changing career Pesticide Residues in Food (www. of Frontiers is to democratise academic publishing for the benefit DEFRA of scientists, researchers and tracks everybody around academia. pesticide Costanza Zucca, editorial director, residues in food Frontiers FUNGAL FAULTS Thank you to the keen-eyed mycologists who spotted that one of the captions on our spectacular ‘Finding Fungi’ opening spread OCK (The Biologist 60(5) p30-33) was incorrectly labelled. The TTERS T
HU specimen shown was not Phallus impudicus, but the netted stinkhorn ORN/S
H Dictyophora duplicata, a rarity
SAK in Britain.
Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 53 Museum Piece BIOLOGICAL EXHIBITS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
specimens had been found two direct ancestor of the first tetrapods. A life-size model years earlier on Ellesmere Island, Still, scientists had long predicted of Tiktaalik #005 alongside a cast northern Canada, when a team of that the first land mammals were of its fossil found TIKTAALIK palaeontologists spotted a skull descended from fish, and Tiktaalik by a team of sticking out of a cliff. provides clear evidence of this. palaeontologists, With finely preserved fins and One of the discoverers of Tiktaalik, including Neil ROSEAE scales, Tiktaalik is clearly a fish. But Neil H Shubin, is now provost of the Shubin (below)
its front fins feature arm-like skeletal Field Museum of Natural History in ICAGO H FOSSIL structures more akin to those of a Chicago, and the skull and lower jaw
crocodile, including a shoulder, of an original fossil are on permanent Y OF C RSI T
elbow and wrist. In a detailed study of display in the Evolving Planet E Field Museum Tiktaalik’s skull in Nature in 2008, exhibition at the museum. of Natural researchers claimed the animal Alongside it is a cast of an UBIN/UNIV
History, would have been able to prop itself up entire skeleton, a cast of H IL S
Chicago on its fins on solid ground and the limb Tiktaalik E breathe air. used for walking, and The term ‘missing link’ is a life-size model somewhat misleading. Tiktaalik is of the fish. SY N SY COURTE , really an example of one of several Chicago’s Field
n 2006 this 375 million year old lines of ancient sarcopterygian fish Museum is open OON EY fossil was revealed to the world as that developed adaptations to the daily (except R ETH I the ‘missing link’ between fish and oxygen-poor shallow-water habitats Christmas Day) four legged land animals (tetrapods). of its time. It is likely to be a close from 9:00 to 17:00.
Three remarkably well-preserved relative of the ancient fish that was a www.fieldmuseum.org B DRY, DAN
54 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 Discounted training courses for members
The Society of Biology is expanding its training programme, with a comprehensive range of courses being developed.
Whether you’re an enthusiastic amateur or an experienced biologist, we offer courses to suit all interests and competencies.
Members can save up to 75% on advertised prices.
Visit www.societyofbiology.org/training for further details
WIN A £25 BOOK TOKEN Crossword This issue Melt your mind with this issue’s biology blockbuster As usual across answers are from the world of biology and clued without Across definition. The remaining clues are 1 Found in the wettest rainforests (6) Volume 60 no 6 the normal combination of definition 5 Odd bits of live virus start to act compiled by Doug Stanford and cryptic indication. strangely (8) 9 Placing bait with care ... (8) 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 How to enter 10 ... or they will go round it (6) To be in with a chance of winning a 11 Not a spice I wanted for cooking (10) £25 book token please send us your 9 10 12 Story you hear (4) completed puzzles by Wednesday 8th 13 End of mammal after marine January 2014. Please include your
disaster (7) 11 12 name, address and membership 16 Students excel learning about number with your entry – an email this (3,4) address would be handy too. Post 17 Study doctor working (7) 13 14 15 16 your entries to: Crossword, The 19 Seal may swim around (7) Biologist, Society of Biology, Charles 23 Turn up at exam centre (4) Darwin House, 12 Roger Street, 17 18 19 20 21 24 Hybrid fir sterile (10) London, WC1N 2JU. 27 Arched bone inside of noses (6) 22
28 Immoral couple (4,4) 23 24 25 26 Winners 29 It is collected by duster moving Well done to last issue’s winners, around (8) Ian Michael Foot CBiol MSB and 30 Mix litre to use (6) 27 28 John A Hallewell CBiol MSB. Book tokens on the way. Down 29 30 2 Long walk requires time on inclined Last issue’s solution section (5) Vol 60 No 5 3 Against introduction of conservation - 15 Bungled an overdue attempt (9) that’s not a sensible way to behave (5) 18 Unconventional like policeman behind 4 Wild centre of Borneo, avian desk (7) paradise (7) 20 Some breaking down is one type of 5 Problem with reception still (6) biological division (7) 6 Entourage reunite after disruption (7) 21 Heart to heart means that you need to 7 It turns up in Iceland suprisingly listen (3) showing no variation (9) 22 Be taken in by professional’s 8 Is fairer to have long shot for those examinations (6) that can shoot (3,6) 25 Force that is keeping politician on 11 Add some sound (3) left (5) 14 I’ve changed attire; not just the 26 It involves sex in some fashion to be a once (9) living entity (5)
Vol 60 No 6 / THE BIOLOGIST / 55 DR MARK DOWNS FSB, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SOCIETY OF BIOLOGY
Final Word TAKING AN INTEREST
ince its inception the policy and broadening debate. This environment impacts on health. Society has almost year the ASG has again partnered The secretariat is actively tripled in size. An with the NC3Rs (National Centre considering a new major policy important part of this for the Replacement, Refinement seminar to build on early successes. diversification has been and Reduction of Animals in Our Heads of University theS growth of the Society’s Special Research) to run a symposium for Biosciences SIG helps ensure our Interest Groups (SIGs). scientists using animal models. It voices are heard in areas ranging For all five SIGs, 2013 has been a has organised two full day meetings from the impact of high fees to busy and productive year. The UK with the Home Office on the UK’s science funding, through strong Plant Science Federation (UKPSF) implementation of the Directive connections with the bioscience was formed in June 2012 with 29 on the Use of Animals in Research academic community (over 80 Member Organisations and funding and ensured an inclusive response universities are members). The from the Gatsby Charitable Trust to many key animal science policy group’s biannual meetings attract and the Society for Experimental issues representing the breadth of high level speakers including Biology. This month they will be the Society’s interests. In parallel, ministers, research council publishing a major report on the the Society has been running the CEOs and members of the Prime current state of plant science in secretariat for the UK Bioscience Minister’s advisory Committee on the UK. We often excel in this Coalition, focused solely on the EU Science and Technology. frequently undervalued but critical Directive’s practical implementation In terms of outreach, however, area of biology, yet – as the report in the UK, since January 2013, the UK Biology Competitions shows – there are major threats. ensuring close linkage with the ASG. SIG is totally reliant on its With 2 billion extra mouths The flexibility of our SIGs is outstanding volunteers and it has to feed by 2050, innovation, particularly exemplified by the led the way with its school-focused infrastructure, application of Natural Capital Initiative (NCI), competitions. The Biology Challenge research and the global political With Special a partnership between the Society, and the Biology Olympiad saw environment are critical. The UK’s Interest the James Hutton Institute, the over 35,000 children participate in agricultural output has not grown Groups British Ecological Society and 2013. In the international Olympiad, since 1986 and we are increasingly delivering the Centre for Ecology and a team of four 18 year olds again reliant on imports to feed the so much for Hydrology. The NCI is a forum secured a full house of medals for nation. The UKPSF can play a the Society, for independent debate around the UK. The challenge now is to major role in providing the evidence the practical implementation of raise £1m to host the event in 2017. base and stimulating debate to we are an ecosystem service approach: With SIGs delivering so much help ensure we all address this bound to see in short, how we can better take for the Society, we are bound to challenging problem. new ones account of the value we get from see new ones established in 2014. The Animal Science Group (ASG), established the environment in policymaking. Provided we can find secure comprising 27 organisations, has in 2014 This includes issues such as the funding models, the Society will also been busy, acting as a key player value of biodiversity, pure water, do all it can to support this route in the development of Government good air quality and how the to diversification.
56 / THE BIOLOGIST / Vol 60 No 6 RJBE 45-2 Outside Cover.qxp:Layout 1 5/2/11 3:37 PM Page 1
ISSN 0021-9266 ISSN 0021-9266
RJBE_46_4_OC_TandFRJBE 45-2 Outside Cover.qxp:Layout 11/15/2012 7:07 PM 1Page 5/2/11 1 3:37 PM Page 1 RJBE_47_4_OC_TandF 11/11/2013 6:32 PM Page 1 Spine width = 4.5mm
ISSN 0021-9266 ISSNISSN 0021-92660021-9266 ISSN 0021-9266
Volume 45 Number 3 September 2011 Volume 45 Number 2 June 2011 ora fBooia Education Biological of Journal Journal of Biological Education ERIDOB ISSUE
Volume 45 Number 3 September 2011 Contents VolumeVolume 4645 Number 24 JuneDecember 2011 2012 Contents Volume 47 Number 4 December 2013 ora fBooia Education Biological of Journal Journal of Biological Education Journal of Biological Education Journal Journal of Biological Education ERIDOB ISSUE Note from the Society ofContents Biology Editorial Contents Society of Biology: influencing government policies ResearchContents Paper Note from the Editor Mark Downs 63 EditorialContents Students’ learning outcomes and learning experiences through playing a Serious David Slingsby 117 EducationalNote from Game the Society of Biology Animals and plants in natural history dioramas in museums: specimens or objects? 203 Volume 45 Number 2 June 2011 Editorial Volume 45 Number 3 September 2011 Editorial Meng-Tzu Cheng and Len Annetta Sue Dale Tunnicliffe 189 Society of Biology: influencing government policies Guest editorial ResearchMark Downs Paper Note from the Editor A love of life 63 Authenticity in biologyResearch education: paper benefits and challenges Jean Wilson Development and application of a two-tier multiple-choice diagnostic test for David Slingsby 117 65 Anat Yarden andAnalysis Graca of S. students’ Carvalho arguments on evolutionary theory 118 high school students’ understanding of cell division and reproduction Volume 4546 NumberNumber 24 June December 2011 2012 VolumeVolume 45 47 Number Number 3 4 September December 2011 2013 ErtugrulEditorial Sesli and Yilmaz Kara 214 NicolaiGuest Basel, editorial Ute Harms and Helmut Prechtl 192 ERIDOB ISSUE Case study Research paper ResearchA love of life Paper ResearchAuthenticity inpaper biology education: benefits and challenges Jean Wilson 65 Project-based learning: a studentHIV/AIDS investigation content of theknowledge turtle trade and presentationin Guangzhou, strategies Peopleʼs in biology for effective Children’s attitudesPre-service towardsAnat Yarden animals: science and evidence teachers’ Graca S.from acceptance Carvalho the RODENTIA of biological project evolution in Turkey 118 use in everyday life Republic of China Maria Joa˜o Fonseca,Özgür Nuno Tas¸k n H. Franco, Francis Brosseron, 200 ERIDOB ISSUE Sze Man Cheung and Alex T. ChowLindelani Mnguni and Mia Abrie 226 Case study 68 Fernando Tavares,Research I. Anna S. paper Olsson and Ju´lio Borlido-Santos 121 Research paper ResearchProject-based Paper learning: a student investigation of the turtle trade in Guangzhou, Peopleʼs Children’s attitudes towards animals: evidence from the RODENTIA project The effect of explicit embedded reflective instruction on nature of science understandings Research paper ConceptualRepublic of ecologyChina of evolution acceptance among Greek education students: Research paperMaria Joa˜o Fonseca, Nuno H. Franco, Francis Brosseron, Sze Man Cheung and Alex T. Chow in advanced science students the contribution of knowledge increase 68 Fernando Tavares, I. Anna S. Olsson and Ju´lio Borlido-Santos 121 Stepping into the unknown: threeKyriacos models for Athanasiou, the teaching Efstratios and learning Katakos of the and opening Penelope Papadopoulou 234 Supporting learningMustafa of high-school Serdar genetics Koksal, usingJale Cakiroglu authentic researchand Omer practices: Geban the 208 sections of scientific articles Research paper teacher’s role Research paper Hedda Falk and Anat Yarden Case Study 77 Research paper Can the effectiveness of different forms of feedback be measured? Retention and Hadas Gelbart and Anat Yarden 129 Stepping into the unknown: three models for the teaching and learning of the opening ASupporting comparison learning of biology of high-school majors’ written genetics arguments using authentic across the research curriculum practices: the student preference for written and verbal feedback in level 4 bioscience students sections of scientific articles Melissateacher’s Schen role 224 Phil Buckley 242 Research paper Research paper Hedda Falk and Anat Yarden 77 Hadas Gelbart and Anat Yarden 129 Research paper Why traditional expository teaching–learningPractical approaches may founder? An experimental Developing a pedagogy of risk in socio-scientific issues examination of neural networks inAnResearch biology interdisciplinary learning paper experiment: azo-dye metabolism by Staphylococcus aureus Ralph Levinson,HowResearch Phillip Spanish Kent, primary paper David school Pratt, students Ramesh interpret Kapadia the concepts and of population and species Jun-Ki Lee and Yong-Ju KwonKayleigh Brocklesby, Robert Smith and Duncan Sharp 83 247 Cristina Yogui María-Pilar Jiménez-Tejada, Cristina Sánchez-Monsalve 136 Why traditional expository teaching–learning approaches may founder? An experimental andDeveloping Francisco a pedagogy González-García of risk in socio-scientific issues 232 Practicalexamination of neural networks in biology learning Ralph Levinson, Phillip Kent, David Pratt, Ramesh Kapadia and Research paper Bioinformatics:Jun-Ki Lee and a Yong-Juhistory of Kwon evolution in silico 83 Research paperCaseCristina study Yogui 136 Vladan Ondrˇej and Petr Dvorˇák 252 A guided inquiry methodology to achieve authentic science in a large undergraduate Using soil seed banks for ecological education in primary school Learning progress in evolution theory: climbing a ladder or roaming a landscape? biologyResearch course paper Eun Jeong Ju and Jae Geun KimBookResearch Reviews paper 93 260 Jorg€ Zabel and Harald Gropengiesser 143 Carolyn Martineau, Stephen Traphagen and Timothy C. Sparkes 240 Using soil seed banks for ecological education in primary school Learning progress in evolution theory: climbing a ladder or roaming a landscape? oue4 ubr3Spebr2011 September 3 Number 45 Volume Eun Jeong Ju and Jae Geun Kim 93 Jorg€ Zabel and Harald Gropengiesser 143 Case study Research paperCase study Transforming a school learning exercise into a public engagement event: 2011 September 3 Number 45 Volume Introduction to experimental design: can you smell fear? The reasoned argumentsResearch of a group paper of future biotechnology technicians on a controversial Case study Volume 46 Number 4 December 2012 ‘The Good, the Bad and The Algae’ Volume 47 Number 4 December 2013 Chris J.R. Willmott 102 socio-scientific issue: human gene therapy Introduction to experimental design: can you smell fear? Volume 45 Number 2 June 2011 JamesThe reasoned Redfern, arguments Dariel Burdass of a group and of futureJoanna biotechnology Verran technicians on a controversial 246 Laurence Simonneaux and Habib Chouchane 150 Chris J.R. Willmott 102 socio-scientific issue: human gene therapy Volume 45 Number 2 June 2011 Practical PracticalLaurence Simonneaux and Habib Chouchane 150 Research paperEnzyme assay: an investigative approach to enhance science process skills Student-centred experiments withPractical stream invertebrates Ian Vaughan, Stefano Larsen, Isabelle Durance and Steve Ormerod RekhaResearch Vartak, paper Anupama Ronad and Vikrant Ghanekar 253 Student-centred experiments with stream invertebrates 106 Towards an inter-language of talking science: exploring students’ argumentation in relation Ian Vaughan, Stefano Larsen, Isabelle Durance and Steve Ormerod 106 to authentic languageBookTowards reviews an inter-language of talking science: exploring students’ argumentation in relation 258 Webwatch Clas Olander andto A˚ authenticke Ingerman language 158 Webwatch Clas Olander and A˚ke Ingerman 158 Exploring the marine environment Compiled by Jean Wilson Book reviews 165 Exploring the marine environment 112 Book reviews 165 Compiled by Jean Wilson 112 Book review 114 Book review 114
CYAN CYAN MAGENTAMAGENTA YELLOWYELLOW BLACKBLACK JournalJournal of of BiologicalBiological Education Education Journal of Biological Education is firmly established as the authoritative voice Journal inof the Biological world of Education biological education.is firmly establishedThe journal aimsas the to authoritativebridge the gap voicebetween in the worldresearch of biological and practice, education. providing The information, journal aims ideas to and bridge opinion, the ingap addition between to critical researchexaminations and practice, of providing advances information,in biology research ideas and and teaching. opinion, in addition to critical examinationsThrough of theadvances coverage in biologyof policy researchand curriculum and teaching. developments, the latest results Throughof theresearch coverage into theof teaching,policy and learning curriculum and assessmentdevelopments, of biology the latest are brought results of researchto the into fore. the teaching, learning and assessment of biology are brought to the fore.Each volume of JBE contains four issues and members of the Society of Biology can Each volumesubscribe of JBE for contains just £40 a four year. issues Contact and [email protected] members of the Society for of more Biology details. can subscribewww.tandfonline.com/rjbe for just £40 a year. Contact [email protected] for more details. www.tandfonline.com/rjbe Published on behalf of the Society of Biology by Routledge
Published on behalf of the Society of Biology by Routledge
JBE.indd 1 30/08/2011 15:19
JBE.indd 1 30/08/2011 15:19 As the leading professional body Professional registers SUPPORTING for the biosciences, the Society Through a licence offered by the Science of Biology is committed to Council, the Society of Biology runs three professional registers. Registered Science LIFE recognising professional excellence, Technician, Registered Scientist and Chartered through degree accreditation, Scientist, together with our own Chartered SCIENCES professional registration and Biologist register, are available to members membership networks. who are committed to the biological sciences in academia, industry, education and research.
Degree accreditation Join today Our Degree Accreditation Programme In addition to professional registers, members has been designed to address the can access a range of valuable membership skills gap between academic study benefits including discounted training courses, and employment in the biosciences. a free subscription to our award-winning Degrees accredited by the Society of magazine The Biologist, and our credits-based Biology can help employers to identify CPD programme. We offer several membership research-ready graduates, with a known categories to ensure that everyone has the profile of skills and knowledge. opportunity to get involved in our work.
For more information (including a list of accredited degrees) visit www.societyofbiology.org