Lenses on biology | Nature


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Even — or especially — for those immersed daily in the details of the latest advances, it's easy to lose sight of the enormous impact that biological science has on our world. In this


special edition of _Nature Outlook_, we offer a reminder. Five top scientists explain how research in their specialties — cancer, climate change, stem cells, ocean health and synthetic


biology — has changed our lives. These Lenses on Biology essays are adapted from chapters in _Principles of Biology_, a new interactive undergraduate textbook, published by Nature Publishing


Group's educational division, Nature Education. In their original context, these pieces are intended to help students encountering each field to appreciate the importance of ongoing


research. It's an exercise in seeing forests, not trees. Grasping the intricate biochemistry of photosynthesis or the puzzle of genetics is a tough job. The Lenses essays are designed


to make it clear to students why they should care. Since these essays were written initially for readers who are at the initial stages of their science education, the authors presume less


knowledge on the part of the reader than does a typical article in a _Nature Outlook_; the tone taken is more tutorial than news feature. But we believe that the refreshingly readable


snapshots in these essays will be fruitful for all readers of _Nature_, no matter how advanced in their career. _Nature Outlook_ has supplemented the essays with interviews with each author


— Q&As in which these scientists address some of the current controversies and challenges their research faces. The genesis of these essays in _Principles of Biology_ is the belief that


biology students will work more effectively if they have a strong sense of why science matters. And that's not a bad perspective for working scientists to have either. AUTHOR


INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Supplements Editor, Nature Outlook., Herb Brody * Managing Editor, Principles of Science., Ilona Miko Authors * Herb Brody View author publications You


can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Ilona Miko View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and


permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Brody, H., Miko, I. Lenses on biology. _Nature_ 483, S1 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/483S1a Download citation * Published: 29 February


2012 * Issue Date: 01 March 2012 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/483S1a SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Get shareable link


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