interdisciplinary, schminterdisciplinary

[trochee]

Here's [pdf, may need subscription] an interesting article.

"The language of genes." Nature, 420:211--217.
Abstract:
Linguistic metaphors have been woven into the fabric of molecular biology since its inception. The determination of the human genome sequence has brought these metaphors to the forefront of the popular imagination, with the natural extension of the notion of DNA as language to that of the genome as the 'book of life'. But do these analogies go deeper and, if so, can the methods developed for analysing languages be applied to molecular biology? In fact, many techniques used in bioinformatics, even if developed independently, may be seen to be grounded in linguistics. Further interweaving of these fields will be instrumental in extending our understanding of the language of life.

I think this article -- as interesting and useful as it is -- seems to be a little oversimplified in all the areas.

Perhaps that's what makes interdisciplinary success -- as long as you're convincing each reviewer that the material in the other area is good, you're golden.

EDIT: here are some other links that seem to point to the same article.

Comments

[faithhopetricks.livejournal.com]

Link doesn't work....

[trochee.livejournal.com]

works for me. not you? maybe it works 'cause I'm inside the U of W. Let me see if I can find a public access URL...

[faithhopetricks.livejournal.com]

It's weird, Adobe opens but I see a blank window....let me try those other links....bah, I can't access it without a subscription anyway. (It's generally a good idea to indicate when posting a link if it's a PDF or if you need a sub....)

[trochee.livejournal.com]

point taken; have inserted warning.

[(Anonymous)]

Lovely Trochee. I miss you writing about your life in your journal. What is going on in your life ? We'd love to know.
:)