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.”