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