English Editing and Proofreading for Life Science and Medical Papers
The latest in a series of new appointments to the BIOEDIT science proofreading team, Dr. Jean-Pierre Bayley joins us this week, specialising in genetics, cancer research and rheumatology.
Dr. Bayley studied for his BSc in Biology and Bioschemistry in the UK, before moving to The Netherlands to focus on molecular immunology and molecular biotechnology at The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, and Leiden University, respectively.
Jean-Pierre received his PhD in 2002, following his research on genetics and molecular biotechnology at the Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University. He now specialises in the genetics of hereditary cancer, and is an internationally recognised expert on the genetics of paraganglioma, having developed and maintained the TCAC gene mutation database, the premier online resource detailing mutations of all of the tricarboxylic acid cycle tumour suppressor genes.
The breadth and depth of Dr. Bayley's research into the genetics of cancer has lead to him publishing extensively, including a number of invited reviews. Over the years he has become increasingly involved in the writing and editing of scientific manuscripts, theses and grant proposals, both for himself and for colleagues, and now with BIOEDIT he seeks to build upon this experience.
We are now very excited to offer English editing in rheumatology and cancer genetics for the first time, and look forward to bringing researchers working in this area Dr. Bayley's expertise in the near future.
This month, Bioedit moved into its new Manchester offices...
Avoid beginning a sentence with an antecedent (e.g., “Its”) or a demonstrative pronoun (e.g., “this”).
When a number is used to describe a single measurement, a singular verb is used (10 ml was added). However, if the subject is considered in separate parts, a plural verb is required (10 ml drops were added one by one).
The definite and indefinite articles should be used in formal writing; however, they may be partially excluded in headings, titles, figures, and lists.
Avoid pleonasms: for example, are found to be in agreement-agree, give consideration to-consider, in order to-to.
When a sentence begins with a number, the number must be written in full.
Avoid using a split infinitive unless the sentence requires it to avoid awkwardness or confusion.
Do not use the possessive apostrophe in acronyms (Incorrect: DNA’s).
Do not begin sentences with “and”.
"Hopefully, I could send you as many manuscripts as I can this year. Please continue to help the publication of our research reports. Thank you."
Tokyo University of Pharmacy & Life Sciences, Japan. May 2009.
"I am very much satisfied with your editing service. The manuscript has been beautifully overhauled and transformed in to a better communicable form. I wish I can write such good English. Your editors have done an excellent job. I owe a lot to all of you. If I can publish this paper in JAMA I will share my happiness with you all by informing you. Thank you. "
Immunobiology Div, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow 226001, UP, Indi
"It has been long since I asked you to edit our manuscripts. I appreciate for a series of your wonderful works and also, your help for my collaborators at Kyoto University. I am now a professor at Fukushima Medical University and a dean of graduate school. Your help was quite important for my career. Thank you. "
Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan. November 2010
"With your editing service, I made my papers accepted in several journals: Appl. Environ. Microbiol., ISME J., Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol., and etc. I appreciate your editing service and will continue to send you more of my work in the future. "
Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Kyonggi-do, South Korea. May 2010.
"Thank you for quick and beautiful editing of our paper.Yesterday, I have re-submitted our paper. And several hours ago, the paper was accepted in Nucleic Acids Research. I appreciate you and other editors in BioEdit. Someday, I will request you to edit our next paper. "
Yokohama City University, Kanagawa, Japan. December 2010
"I'd love to inform you that our manuscript was finally accepted to Nature. I appreciate you very much that your edition of our previous version of manuscript was so helpful to be accepted. "
Osaka University, Osaka, Japan. December 2010
"I just want to thank you for your editing.The manuscript entitled “The carboxy-terminal region ....” was accepted within one day. Thank you for your good editing. "
Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan. December 2010
"I really appreciate your immediate, meticulous editing of my revised manuscript free of charge. I hope this re-edited manuscript will be accepted for publication. Thanks again. "
National Institute of Infectious Disease, Tokyo, Japan. November 2010