This document provides an overview of the key sections and content of a scientific paper, including the title, authors, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references sections. The introduction summarizes the hypothesis that mutating a specific amino acid (Cys323) in the transglutaminase 3 enzyme could disrupt its activity and prevent the formation of mating plugs in male mosquitos, reducing malaria transmission. The methods section provides details on experiments conducted to test this hypothesis.

1. Reading and Writing a Scientific
Paper

2. Title and Authors
• Active – Makes a Point
• Authors:
– First Author: Main experimenter
– Last Author: Mentor, PI
– Institutions

3. Abstract
Introduction
Method
(and some intro)
Results
Discussion

4. Introduction
• Malaria is a bad disease
• Sterilization of male mosquitos
could prevent malaria
• Mating plug seals sperm and is
crucial for fertility –
tranglutaminase 3 is cruciual
• Transglutaminases are crucial
enzymes that cross-link proteins
• Cys323 is an active site
• Hypothesis: Mutation of Cys323
can disrupt transglutaminase
activity and prevent formation of
mating plug
Inverted Triangle
Structure

5. Methods
• Can break into subsections
• As detailed as possible
• Include: model/catalog numbers,
concentrations, time, etc

6. Results
Subsection title = result
Introduction to why doing the experiment
And what it is
Brief summary of method
Results with specific observations
Supported by references to Figures

7. Discussion
Inverted Triangle
Structure

8. References
• Primary Sources
• Reviews
• No Wikipedia, Internet Sources
• How to Find
– Pubmed (Keyword or MESH search)
– Google Scholar (.ezp1.harvard.edu)
– Countway Library