CONWAY, Ark. (October 9, 2018) – A feature article published in
September by Scientia describes research projects by Hendrix
College biology professor Dr. Andrea Duina and his team of undergraduate
students and laboratory technicians in a way that seeks to be more accessible
to non-scientists.
The piece, “Professor
Andrea Duina – The Many Complexities of DNA Packing and Gene Expression,” outlines the work the Hendrix
team has done to understand how genes are
expressed within cells by studying the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
“It’s
critical that we communicate to those outside of the scientific community the
importance of basic research for our understanding of both the fundamental
principles of life and the underlying causes of human disease,” Duina said.
“Providing this type of research experience to undergraduates is a privilege,
and sharing what they are learning brings more meaning to their work.”
The
feature begins by explaining how DNA is packaged within a single cell, and goes
on to share examples of the research the students have been conducting,
including the ways they collaborate with
researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
With the motto, “Opening a dialogue between science and
society,” Scientia produces outreach
publications that share a common mission to connect different groups of people
across specialties, inviting more people to take an interest in scientific
research. According to the organization’s website, it is “championing a new
model and reinventing science dissemination to complement traditional academic
publishing in a concise, easy-to-understand language for all to enjoy.”
About Hendrix College
A private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas, Hendrix College
consistently earns recognition as one of the country’s leading liberal arts
institutions, and is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools
That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges. Its academic quality and
rigor, innovation, and value have established Hendrix as a fixture in numerous
college guides, lists, and rankings. Founded in 1876, Hendrix has been
affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. To learn more, visit www.hendrix.edu.