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How To Write A Nature Abstract

This document provides guidance on constructing a summary paragraph for a Nature publication. It recommends including an introduction to the field, more detailed background, stating the problem addressed by the study, summarizing the main result, explaining how the result adds to previous knowledge, and putting the results in a broader context.

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Ana Maria Ferrari
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140 views1 page

How To Write A Nature Abstract

This document provides guidance on constructing a summary paragraph for a Nature publication. It recommends including an introduction to the field, more detailed background, stating the problem addressed by the study, summarizing the main result, explaining how the result adds to previous knowledge, and putting the results in a broader context.

Uploaded by

Ana Maria Ferrari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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www.nature.

com/nature/authors/gta

How to construct a Nature summary paragraph

Annotated example taken from Nature 435, 114-118 (5 May 2005).

One or two sentences providing a basic


introduction to the field, During cell division, mitotic spindles are assembled by
comprehensible to a scientist in microtubule-based motor proteins1, 2. The bipolar organization
any discipline. of spindles is essential for proper segregation of chromosomes,
and requires plus-end-directed homotetrameric motor proteins
Two to three sentences of of the widely conserved kinesin-5 (BimC) family3. Hypotheses
more detailed background, comprehensible to for bipolar spindle formation include the 'pushpull mitotic
scientists in related disciplines. muscle' model, in which kinesin-5 and opposing motor proteins
act between overlapping microtubules2, 4, 5. However, the
One sentence clearly stating the general precise roles of kinesin-5 during this process are unknown.
Here we show that the vertebrate kinesin-5 Eg5 drives the
problem being addressed by this particular sliding of microtubules depending on their relative orientation.
study. We found in controlled in vitro assays that Eg5 has the
remarkable capability of simultaneously moving at 20 nm s-1
One sentence summarising the main result (with towards the plus-ends of each of the two microtubules it
the words “here we show” or their equivalent). crosslinks. For anti-parallel microtubules, this results in
relative sliding at 40 nm s-1, comparable to spindle pole
Two or three sentences explaining what separation rates in vivo6. Furthermore, we found that Eg5 can
the main result reveals in direct tether microtubule plus-ends, suggesting an additional
comparison to what was thought to be microtubule-binding mode for Eg5. Our results demonstrate
the case previously, or how the main result adds how members of the kinesin-5 family are likely to function in
to previous knowledge. mitosis, pushing apart interpolar microtubules as well as
recruiting microtubules into bundles that are subsequently
One or two sentences to put the results polarized by relative sliding. We anticipate our assay to be a
into a more general context. starting point for more sophisticated in vitro models of mitotic
spindles. For example, the individual and combined action of
Two or three sentences to provide a broader multiple mitotic motors could be tested, including minus-end-
perspective, readily comprehensible to a directed motors opposing Eg5 motility. Furthermore, Eg5
scientist in any discipline, may be inhibition is a major target of anti-cancer drug development,
included in the first paragraph if the and a well-defined and quantitative assay for motor function
editor considers that the accessibility of will be relevant for such developments.
the paper is significantly enhanced by their
inclusion. Under these circumstances, the
length of the paragraph can be up to 300 words. (The above example is 190 words without the final
section, and 250 words with it).

Nature guide to authors: First paragraphs for Letters Information sheets 3d

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