You will each be writing your own BIOCHEMTRACTS paper based on the periodicals of the now discontinued CHEMTRACTS series. These research summaries and reviews were designed to give scientists rapid access to key articles in the field, in a unique format intended to initiate and stimulate new research activity. The primary contribution of these journals was the speedy transmission of only the most exciting groundbreaking research, selected by the leading experts from the mass of recently published literature. The articles were presented in a condensed, standardized format, coupled with an authoritative perspective and commentary. The experts focused on the purpose of the study and its approach, and gave their own views on the research and its implications.

For your paper assignment, you will play the role of the “leading expert.” This paper is not a group project and therefore should be your independent work. 

Here are the due dates as well as some additional information:

Selecting a journal article:

  • Due Sep 13
  • Choose 2-3 articles and send me the pdfs. I’ll take a look and give you feedback.
  • Here are the guidelines:
  • What’s the big picture of what the topic was (Alzheimer’s, cancer, whatever) and then tell me about the current knowledge in the field
    • It must have been published after September 1, 2023
    • It must NOT be a review article- it has to be original research
    • It must relate to the course themes: structure/function relationships of non-protein molecules
  • Don’t be discouraged if you don’t understand the whole article- I don’t expect you to at this point. You should be able to read the title and the introduction and make sure you are able to identify the scope and significance of the article.

Statement of Paper Purpose (1.5% of Biochemtract grade)

  • Due Sep 16
  • You should be able to say: “This article is important; I can tell you what their question was and why they were interested!”
  • This should be no more than 1-2 sentences

Draft of Introduction/Background Section (15% of Biochemtract grade)

  • Due Sep 30
  • What’s the big picture of what the topic was (Alzheimer’s, cancer, whatever) and then tell me about the current knowledge in the field
    • It should not be the same as the introduction of the paper although there will be some overlap
  • How to start:
    • Find a review article on the topic
    • Take a look at references the article used
  • Things to consider
    • Does the introduction have background to give context to the paper?
    • Did you introduce figure(s) from papers outside of the current article? Don’t just pick any picture- make sure they provide information you think will help the reader understand the big topic.
  • You should have citations throughout this section
    • You should not be citing the paper you are reviewing for this section

Draft of Approach and Accomplishments Sections (15% of Biochemtract grade)

  • Due Oct 21
  • Approach
    • Explain what the researchers did without going into an overly detailed recapitulation
    • If the paper is about generating a new method you may need more detail describing the method (for example a new synthetic approach for a molecule)
    • Accuracy is important!
  • Accomplishments
    • You don’t need to include every figure from the paper
      • You should include the figures from the paper as well as narrative of what the figures show
      • Every figure should have a figure legend, ideally rewritten for clarity
        • At the very least it should be renumbered to match the numbering in your paper
  • You do not have to cite the paper you are reviewing in this section

 

Draft of Commentary Section (15% of Biochemtract grade)

  • Due Oct 30
  • Did the authors explain how their data connected to their original hypothesis?
  • Do you agree with the authors in terms of their interpretation of the data?
  • Was/Were there any weakness(es) in the paper? For example- did they miss any necessary controls?
  • What have other authors in the field written on the subject?
    • Use this as an opportunity to introduce another outside figure
    • Did the research presented agree with what others in the field have shown?
  • Relate the findings of the paper back to the big picture
  • You should have sufficient citations throughout this section

Final copy of paper (40% of Biochemtract grade)

  • Due around 11/19 (end of finals)
  • You should make all amendments to your paper based on the suggestions of the reviewer(s).