About Concepts in Biochemistry

Editor
William M. Scovell
Department of Chemistry, Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 43403-0213
Phone: 419/372-2031; FAX: 419/372-9809

The aim of this feature is to present articles helpful to teachers and students of biochemistry and/or introductory courses directed toward the allied health professionals. Certain articles may also be useful to instructors in the "main stream" freshman chemistry courses in exemplifying principles in which the examples are directed toward biochemistry.

Types of Articles Published in this Column

1. Minireview, on a topic in which current textbooks do not present up-to-date or thorough coverage. The level of writing should enable the article to serve as a bridge from current textbook coverage to critically reading research journals. Articles should briefly review (1-2 pages) background material or focused concepts as typically covered in current textbooks and then develop the concepts and experimental strategies used in current research to answer one or more important questions in the area.

The level should be approximately that found in Trends in Biochemical Sciences (TIBS). Since it is impossible for even outstanding teachers and active researchers to keep up with areas outside their specialty, it will be important to clearly define the important questions being addressed in the area. In addition, review articles that bridge biochemistry and other areas, such as bioorganic chemistry or physical biochemistry, are encouraged. Reviews should not exceed 6 Journal pages, including figures, tables, and references. This translates to 12-18 pages of double-spaced manuscript.

2. Concept Capsule, on a focused concept, such as the characteristics of a biomacromolecule, history of a development, or definitions of terms that may be often misunderstood or misused. The depth of the article should be at least that found in standard textbooks. If coverage is equivalent to the level of most texts, new approaches to introducing this material, which have been successfully used to bring better understanding to a difficulty concept, are necessary. Articles should be 3 Journal pages or less.

3. Lab Notebook, on modern instrumentation, classroom demonstrations, laboratory techniques, or experiments that have been tried and tested. Articles should be 3 Journal pages or less. In the first two types of articles, 6-10 references are usually appropriate, with 2-3 referring to background sections in current textbooks or articles in nonspecialist magazines or journals (Scientific American, TIBS, or the like), 2-3 minireviews or general reviews (Cell, Nature, Annual Reviews of Biochemistry) and 2-3 original research articles.