What an Abstract Should Do

An abstract is actually a (very) short version of the key components of your presentation/poster/paper. Simply put, it lets everyone know:

Why is this study important/necessary?
How was the study conducted?
What are the key results?
What do they mean?

If there is room (abstracts typically have word or character limits), an abstract may end with:

What will happen next?

So, if I, for example, could not attend your presentation/poster at a meeting, I can read your abstract and still get the key points that were covered (and I could decide to contact you to get additional information). As many on-line searches show abstracts first, I can use the abstract for your paper to decide if I want to take the time to access the entire paper (and you DO want to have your paper read).

What an Abstract Should NOT Do

What an abstract definitely should NOT include are statements containing any of the following wording combinations because I would have little idea what would be/was covered:

Results are/will be presented/discussed.

In fact, abstracts lacking specific details may not be considered acceptable!

Abstract Example

Here’s an example of an abstract used as part of poster presentation that incorporates all aspects of what an abstract could/should contain:

Molecular Approaches for Selective Isolation and Enumeration of Brevundimonas diminuta ATCC 19146

R. S. Donofrio^1,2, S. T. Bagley², L. L. Bestervelt^1
1NSF International, Ann Arbor, MI, ²Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI.

Due to its small diameter (0.3 µm), Brevundimonas diminuta has been employed as a challenge organism in a variety of filtration-based drinking water (DW) treatment protocols. Current enumeration methods for B. diminuta lack selectivity for this organism and are routinely subject to interference by indigenous heterotrophic plate count bacteria (HPC). The goal of this research was to confer selectivity to B. diminuta ATCC 19146 so that recovery in the presence of HPCs could be accomplished. Two molecular approaches were used: introduction of antibiotic resistance and expression of a fluorescent protein (FP). Forty HPC isolates (identified by 16S rRNA sequence comparisons) were evaluated against several antibiotics, with 50 µg/mL kanamycin providing the highest susceptibility. B. diminuta was then transformed via electroporation with a transposon/plasmid vector (pUC19) containing a kanamycin resistance gene (kan^R). Electroporation was also used for the incorporation of a FP into B. diminuta. Two strains were generated: one expressing AcGFP1 (Aequorea coerulescens green FP) and the other expressing DsRed-Monomer (Anemonia sulcata red FP). The FPs were chosen based on their differing excitation wavelengths and the potential for microscopic enumeration interference by autoflourescing particulates in water samples. The FP (red, green) and kan^R strains were screened against the individual HPCs to evaluate impact on recovery/enumeration. Spike recovery studies (at 5×10⁴ CFU/mL for both HPC and B. diminuta) showed that the kan^R strain was not subject to interference when using kanamycin amended media. Under similar conditions, the two FP strains displayed no visual HPC inference when performing microscopic enumerations. The AcGFP1 strain exhibited a more intense fluorescence. Thus, both the transposon approach and FP vector addition appear to be viable methods for conferring selectivity to B. diminuta, resulting in decreased HPC interference and more accurate target enumeration. Studies are being performed to investigate the affect of pH, total dissolved solids, total organic carbon and -80°C storage on the stability of the inserts.

Do You Have Any Tips?

Feel free to share your ideas, tips for writing an abstract in the comments section below.

About the Author, Susan Bagley
Susan Bagley is a Professor of Environmental Microbiology in the Department of Biological Sciences at Michigan Technological University.  She has over 30 years experience working in academia and government (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) on microbial-based treatment of air, soil and waterborne organic wastes, mutagenicity and toxicity of environmental pollutants, and microbial production of bio-based fuels and polymers.

Candidates for President:

Ms. Valerie Benning
I was introduced to the Society when I began my Masters degree at Mississippi State University under Dr. Lewis Brown.  He believes that students should get involved in their professional societies because it benefits both the student and the society.  I carry on that belief.  I was introduced to people who had made industrial microbiology.  These people remembered who I was, helped me find employment, answered questions, and became mentors.  My experience with the Society has been incredible. If I can help further our mission serving as Society President, I will be honored.  I have served at both local (SGLLS-SIM) and national level as secretary and treasurer.  I have also served at the national level as session organizer, local sections chair, and judge for several student poster and oral presentations.  If elected, I would like to continue investigating how to bring more students into the Society.  I believe they are the lifeblood of our organization.

Dr. Elisabeth Elder
The current BOD has developed programs to increase the use of electronic/social media and to enhance self assessment. These have the potential to change the traditional activities of the Society, to expand membership, and to change the interactions between members, sponsors, and advertisers. One result already realized was a shift of SIMB News to paperless. Another result is JIMB may be joined by an on-line journal which will provide format and content options. The new journal, with the improving impact factor of the JIMB, should have a positive impact on visibility and subsequently on membership. These programs are sufficiently new that overall impacts have not been determined. As the BOD changes, these programs should be continued and the impacts carefully assessed. As a more personal goal for SIMB, efforts should be made increase the involvement of the members. Increased involvement will have positive impacts on the members as well as the financial stability of the Society.

Dr. Leonard Katz
Being a molecular biologist with significant industrial experience (Abbott Laboratories, Kosan BioSciences), I believe that new initiatives in synthetic biology will play a major role in Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology in the foreseeable future. I will bring scientific and managerial expertise in this area to the office of President of SIMB, as well as industry contacts made as Director of SynBERC (www.synberc.org)—sponsored research projects at UC Berkeley, UCSF, MIT, Stanford, and Harvard.  As president, I will continue ongoing efforts to promote the scientific content of SIMB in our publication, JIMB, as well as in current and future workshops, with European/Asian co-sponsorship; find relevant new topics for the annual meeting; enhance the role of students and postdocs in SIMB; and institute new initiatives to vigorously engage industry.

Candidates for Secretary:

Dr. Robert Donofrio
SIMB has been a stimulating and important part of my life for almost two decades.  My MS advisor, Dr. John Stolz, encouraged me to present my first scientific poster at the 1995 SIMB Annual Meeting.  Under the guidance of my doctoral mentor, Dr. Susan Bagley, I was fortunate enough to chair the student poster and oral presentation sessions.  I’ve also been actively involved as an author and reviewer for JIMB.  During my current tenure as director of microbiology at NSF International, I’ve been able to expand my interaction and level of commitment to SIMB by serving as a session convener and assisting on the program planning committee.  As the director’s responsibilities include method development/validation, good laboratory practices and quality assurance, I’d like to continue to foster the integration of these focus areas into the session themes of SIMB conferences.

Ms. Abbie More
As I consider what SIMB looks like to me 10 years down the road, it is my expectation that the Society continue with the strong course already set. It’s important that we continue to bring together strong scientific programs, while expanding reach and influence globally. Increasing the use of new technology, while understanding the growing role that social networking plays in enhancing communication and bringing the Society together will be instrumental in growing and expanding membership.  I look forward to playing a role in the organization and direction of the SIMB board as it grows and develops in the coming years.

Candidates for Director:

Dr. Bill Adney
My career in biotechnology started over 25 years ago at the Solar Energy Research Institute, which became the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in 1999.  I recently left NREL to direct the biofuels research efforts for the Center for Applied and Environmental Biotechnology at RTI, International, in North Carolina.  During the past 5 years I either chaired or co-chaired the Symposium on Biotechnology and Chemicals for SIMB.  I have been part of that meeting since it began as a small science-based conference organized by NREL and ORNL and sponsored by the DOE.  It has grown to over 900 participants, representing an international community – many of whom are from industry, and has emerged as one of the most important meetings in the field of Bioenergy.  As a member of the SIMB board, I will continue do my best to integrate industry and international interests into the planning and organization of this meeting and increase its connection to SIMB.

Dr. Jonathan Mielenz
Jonathan R. Mielenz is a Quarter Century member of SIMB and ASM, Past President of the Northern CA chapter of SIMB, and Co-chairman of the Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals since 2005. He received his PhD from University of Illinois C-U in Microbiology.  His research career has emphasized industrial enzymes and renewable materials starting with genetically engineering one of the first GRAS food enzymes, a thermostable α-amylase, for CPC. Also he helped develop the first renewable polymer feedstock bioprocess from natural fats and oils with his team, and his German counterparts at Henkel. Presently, he has a Group at Oak Ridge National Lab that is active in biomass bioconversion research. As Director he wants to work to insure SIMB remains fiscally sound in the face of the numerous new biotechnology meetings. He believes if we can expand SIMB membership, it will significantly strengthen the Society both fiscally and scientifically.

Register Today | Hotel & Travel | Job Fair

The SBFC program chairs have put together an impressive technical program that includes 19 sessions with one Special Topic evening session on international bioenergy center progress, as well as 2 large poster sessions. Technical topics span new biomass sources and sustainability, biomass recalcitrance and pretreatment, enzyme and microbial advances, new types of biofuels and infrastructure issues, bioprocessing, and biorefineries, and the bioenergy research center update. See session topics.

We look forward to you joining us in New Orleans! The Symposium coincides with the New Orleans Jazz Fest, an annual city-wide music festival. Make your reservations early at the Sheraton New Orleans. Visit meeting site for more info >>

Welcome from the Chair, Steve Van Dien

As Program Chair, it is my pleasure to invite you to participate in the 62nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology to be held Aug. 12-16, 2012, in Washington, DC. The program committee and I are hard at work developing an exciting program for next year’s meeting. We will have a number of sessions intended to be cross-functional, bringing people together from different disciplines that use a similar technology or approach to address problems in their respective area of research.

Recent advances in hot fields such as synthetic biology, next-gen sequencing, and computational modeling will also be featured. These technology-based sessions will complement a range of sessions exploring new frontiers in the core areas of biocatalysis, metabolic engineering, fermentation, natural products, and environmental microbiology.

Of course there will be plenty of opportunity for seeing posters, visiting vendor exhibits, and networking with colleagues. Whether you are a leading expert or a brand new scientist to industrial microbiology, I’m sure you will find the conference enjoyable and educational. I look forward to seeing you all in Washington, old friends and new members alike.

Steve Van Dien
Genomatica

The ninth Recent Advances in Fermentation Technology (RAFT IX) will take place November 6-9 at the Marco Island Marriott, Marco Island, FL. Co-sponsors: Society for Industrial Microbiology (SIM) and the American Chemical Society, Division of Biochemical Technology. Visit the meeting web site for complete meeting details.

Register Today >>

Join SIM when you register and get the discounted member rate!

Held biannually, RAFT provides a forum for industrial and academic scientists to discuss the latest developments in fermentation technology. This year’s meeting will follow a theme of “From Concept to Commercialization.”

Informative Sessions & Networking Opportunities

Sessions will take us sequentially from early stage research through to production, and in each session we plan to have a range of speakers from different industry/academic sectors. Online program available.

In addition to the seven sessions, there will also be one poster session and tabletop exhibits. These activities will be enhanced by networking receptions and morning and afternoon breaks. Group breakfasts and lunches will afford additional opportunities to meet your peers.

Keynote talk will be given by Dr. David Glassner, Executive Vice President of Technology at Gevo. Read his abstract, From Concept to Commercialization – Experiences from Lactic Acid and Isobutanol.

News & Deadlines

Register. Pre-registration ends Friday, October 21.

Become a Sponsor. Show that you are an industry leader and supporter of RAFT. Sponsorship opportunities.

I am pleased to begin serving the Society for Industrial Microbiology (SIM) as President for 2011-2012. SIM has been in existence since 1949 and continues to be the premier society for industrial microbiology and biotechnology.  Unlike some organizations which are about policy making and business dealing, SIM remains about presenting, publishing, and promoting quality science.  This will continue to be SIM’s mission during and long after my term as president.

Announcing Society Name Change
There are a number of activities scheduled during my term.  The society officially will be changing its name to the Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology.  Adding “biotechnology” reflects the broad nature of the society – i.e. we are a lot more than just bacteria and fungi!  We are also about the use of enzymes in the production of chiral intermediates and the cultivation of mammalian cells for the production of therapeutic proteins just to cite a couple of examples.  The name change will be largely transparent to members but many administrative activities will be carried out to make this change official.

Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology (JIMB)
Our publications committee is in the process of negotiating a contract renewal with Springer for publication of the Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology (JIMB).  JIMB is becoming one of the premier journals in the field.  The impact factor  jumped to 2.4 during the past year and a large number of subscribers across the world have that has access to this journal.  Authors looking to publish papers in this field are realizing that our “Journal” provides a high degree of exposure.

SIM & Social Media
Social media has become a staple for how companies and organizations get their message out to the public and our society is no different.  In addition to an overhauled website, we have established a blog to highlight scientific and news items of interest, a Twitter account so people can stay up to the minute on all things SIM including at meetings, a Facebook page, and finally a LinkedIn group with over 2400 members (and growing fast).  We will continue to leverage these tools to expand our audience, increase our membership base, generate discussion and knowledge exchange, and gain valuable feedback on the Society’s events and services.

Upcoming Meetings
There are three meetings coming up during my term: Recent Advances in Fermentation Technology – RAFT IX (November 6-9, 2011; Marco Island, FL), 34th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals (April 30-May 3, 2012; New Orleans, LA), and the 2012 Annual Meeting and Exhibition (August 12-16, 2012; Washington, DC).  I look forward to your participation in these meetings.  All SIM meetings are excellent venues for people from all scientific walks-of-life to exchange information, share ideas, network, and advance the application of microbes, mammalian cells, and enzymes for industrial processes.  Feedback about our meetings continues to be overwhelmingly positive largely due to their high scientific quality and the fact that you do not need GPS to navigate the meeting hall or a search engine to find a paper or poster of interest.

On behalf of the Society, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Badal Saha for his contribution as President in 2010-2011 and for his continuing efforts as Past President for this coming year. I also would like to thank the outgoing board members Director Kevin Reynolds and Treasurer Val Benning for their service to the Society and welcome new board members Erick VanDamme (Director), Janet Westpheling (Treasurer), and Tom Jeffries (President-elect).

Like any other organization with revenues and expenses, SIM is not immune to economic downturns.  However our society is financially prudent and has endured various financial and political climates over the past six decades.  It speaks to the SIM product: presenting, publishing, and promoting quality science.

Essayons!

Neal C. Connors, PhD
SIM President, 2011-2012

The key characteristics of each project are similar and start with the definition of a target product and process forming an economically attractive business opportunity.  The business opportunity created by the new product allows the target performance characteristics for the new microorganism to be established from a process economic analysis.  Both operating and capital cost for implementation are considered in establishing the microorganism performance targets.  However, the performance target is not established by looking at microorganism literature but rather on establishing a low cost, highly efficient manufacturing process that may be equaled but not beaten from an economic standpoint.

After the performance targets are established, resources required to successfully develop the fermentative organism must be assembled.  The resources are a combination of funding and technical capabilities.  The technical capabilities include personnel, equipment and facilities required to successfully execute the microorganism development project.  Capabilities will make or break a project and certainly play a key role in the time required to reach commercialization or the possibility of ever reaching commercialization.

The final component in a successful commercialization is leadership.  Strong leadership is required to obtain required resources, communicate how, when and why success will be attained and to inspire the team developing the microorganism to success.  The key characteristics outlined will be illustrated by a variety of experiences and lessons learned on the way from concept to commercialization for lactic acid and isobutanol.

These are meat products that are grown using tissue culture technologies in the lab and TIME magazine identified in vitro meat production as one of the top 50 breakthrough ideas of 2009.  This is not a vegetable protein-imitation; it is a product derived from culturing real animal muscle tissue cells.  Unfortunately we are not talking filet mignon or porter house; the product would be more like hamburger.

The benefits of in vitro meat cultivation include: ease of feeding a larger population, limited land use, more efficient water use, well defined quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced fuel vs. food decision making for food production.  During this past summer, a small group of scientists met in Gothenburg, Sweden (organized by Chalmers University of Technology and the European Science Foundation) to review the technology components necessary to reduce this concept to practice.  This included discussions on cell lines and culture medium nutrients derived from photosynthetic organisms such as cyanobacteria.

So at the 2025 annual meeting, a company may not simply provide money for the banquet, they may produce the entrée.

Essayons!

About Neal Connors
Dr. Neal Connors is currently the owner/president of Phoenix BioConsulting, LLC (www.phoenixbioconsulting.com); a company providing consulting services to the fermentation, industrial microbiology, biotechnology, and legal sectors.