I arrived at “DNA Translation: It's All in
the Genes” looking forward to learning. As a chemist with no formal biology
training, and a translator who frequently works on biological subject matter in
pharmaceutical texts, I always feel my work benefits from a better
understanding of biology.
Not all scientists can explain their fields
clearly to those without the same background, but this was not the case here.
Leo van Zanten, a Dutch translator with a background in plant breeding, is knowledgeable
and well able to explain his subject. The topics introduced were clear and structured
logically, moving from chromosomes to DNA, then genes, proteins, RNA, PCR and
forensics. The visuals were impressive and enhanced the explanations.
We started with an introduction to chromosomes, explained through the
seminal fruit fly study. Chromosomes store DNA, so we moved there next, with
descriptions of the double helix, nucleotides and base pairs. Since DNA forms
the language of life, here the first creative element of the session appeared.
Leo used a word-related analogy to help wordsmiths in the audience understand scientific
concepts:
– The alphabet only has four letters: A, C, T and G
– Every word is only three letters long: AGA GGC
– A word is the name of an amino acid
– A sentence is a gene
Just as the concepts were becoming
trickier, Leo snapped us to attention with a clip from ‘Jurassic Park’ to help explain
more about these pieces of DNA string. Later, well-timed video clips clarified other
concepts.
From genes we moved to proteins. Here, I
was at home. At one time I could name and draw the structures of all twenty
amino acids that are used to produce proteins. But, oh, shock! Horror! Leo
called organic chemistry boring! He insulted my first scientific love!
Next we covered DNA transcription and
translation: the process where the DNA code is used to produce polypeptides or
proteins. Lastly, we moved into modern methods in the field: polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis. Leo explained how these techniques are applied
in forensics and paternity testing. As he concluded, he explained how forensic scientists
analyze DNA to help solve crimes, referring to popular crime dramas to help
anchor the audience. We ended back in Hollywood, with a clip from ‘Gattaca’. Remember
the alphabet?
This session delivered a well-planned balance
of theoretical and practical, and mixed high scientific register and popular
culture effectively. Leo was so engaging that I have forgiven him for calling
organic chemistry boring.
Karen M.
Tkaczyk, PhD, CT, MITI, is an ATA-certified French>English freelance
translator. She is originally from the UK and now lives in Nevada. Her
translation work focuses on chemistry, its industrial applications and
intellectual property. Karen holds an MChem in chemistry with French
(University of Manchester, UK), a diploma in French, and a PhD in organic
chemistry (University of Cambridge, UK). She worked in the pharmaceutical
industry in Europe, and then in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics in the US. Since
2005 she has been technical translator and editor. Karen is the current
administrator of the ATA Science and Technology Division.
You're lucky. People have called Organic Chemistry worse names than boring ;).
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