English Editing and Proofreading for Life Science and Medical Papers
Dr. Sarah Duthie Lang graduated with a BSc Hons (2.1) in Genetics from Edinburgh University, where her undergraduate research project focused on the commitment of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, to sexual and asexual development. She remained at Edinburgh for her PhD, as a member of Dr. Karin Eidne's research group at the Human Reproductive Biology Unit. The group focused on the cloning and characterisation of novel G-protein coupled receptors in the human pituitary gland. Sarah was responsible for cloning and characterising the mouse dopamine D2 receptor gene and the genes encoding the mouse and human thyrotrophin-releasing hormone receptors and was awarded her PhD by Edinburgh University in 1995.
It was while at Edinburgh that Dr. Duthie became interested in chromatin structure and function. She then moved to the Medical Research Council’s Clinical Sciences Centre at the Hammersmith Hospital in London where the focus of her research shifted to developmental epigenetics. Her post-doctoral studies were undertaken in the Developmental Epigenetics group led by Dr. Neil Brockdorff, and her research centred on the X-inactive-specific transcript (Xist) and the molecular mechanisms governing its role in X-chromosome inactivation using embryonic stem (ES) cells. One of Dr. Duthie's main areas of expertise was the development and teaching of new methods of fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH).
Dr. Duthie left London in 2000 to follow her husband to Switzerland and start a family. The move initiated a change in direction and she decided to concentrate on editing scientific manuscripts, which she had begun while in London, for several international colleagues. Dr. Duthie enjoys editing a broad range of subjects, including genetics, molecular and cell biology and developmental biology, as well as many aspects of plant biology.
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