Helpful resources

Scientific literature resources:

  • Google Scholar
  • PubMed
  • ISI
  • A guide on how to do a literature search (thank you Duke libraries!): https://guides.library.duke.edu/lit-reviews/gettingstarted

Systems and molecular biology resources:

Nomenclature conventions for gene, protein, strain names etc.:

C. elegans described on Wormbase, and described as a Wormbook chapter

Other species referenced here

Worm numbers (volume, DNA content, etc.)

Here is a highly recommended online course on writing scientific paper.

On reviewing a manuscript:

Useful starting places for how to review a paper are here and here.  I don’t agree with all of it, though, and also have a few thoughts to add. Here are short perspectives from many scientists at many stages of career.

A nice resource on data visualization for scientific papers is here.

On the use of active and passive voices and 1st and 3rd person in science writing: Happily, the old tradition that science should be written in the passive voice is changing; many journals now encourage active voice. Duke’s Writing Center has a nice discussion of the issue, and some history and relevant literature, here. Here is a humorous take. Here are good descriptions of the active and passive voice–and when each is useful (active is not always best!). Here is a good article that emphasizes the point that sometimes the passive voice is the right choice.

A number of takes on how to read a scientific manuscript

Our lab journal club how-to; additional/complementary advice here, here , here, and here. Note some of this needs to be translated to our field. Mix and match and be creative!

Chemical information (super-useful and important for thinking about experimental design, exposures, etc.!)

The US EPA Chemistry Dashboard: https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard

 CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. Perkins Library References, call number 541.9 H236x

The Handbook of Environmental Organic Chemistry, edited by O. Hutzinger, 1980. Biol-Env Library Reserves, call number 574.52222 H236

  • Vol 1, parts A-E: The Natural Environment and Biogeochemical Cycles
  • Vol 2, parts A-E: Reactions and Processes
  • Vol 3, parts A-C, and E: Anthropogenic Compounds

Organic Chemistry, by G. M. Loudon, 1995. Chemistry Library references call number: 574 L886 068

Illustrated Handbook of Physical-Chemical Properties and Environmental Fate for Organic Chemicals, by D. Mackay, W. Shiu, and K.C. Ma. 1992. Biol-Env Library References, call number 628.52 M153 I29

Environmental Mechanisms in Environmental Organic Chemistry, by Larson and Weber, 1994.  Biol-Env Library Reserves call number 628.5 L334 R281

Chemical Fate and Transport, by Harold Hemond, 1994. Biol-Env Library Reserves call number: 628.52 H489 C517

Occupational and Environmental Safety Office: