Life Sciences - Professional translation and interpreting Services
At TJC Global, we have over twenty years of experience in translation and interpreting. Over this time we have established a large network of translators and interpreters, many of whom have backgrounds or qualifications in a relevant life sciences field. This allows us to provide our clients with translators and interpreters with a knowledge of specific technical terms and protocols, ensuring the most accurate, professional and efficient translation possible. In addition, all of our TJC Global translators and interpreters are native speakers of their languages, and therefore can produce translations of unparalleled faithfulness and fluency.
For your FREE Life Sciences quote, please use our Free Quick Quote system. Please see our sister website, www.tjc-oxford.com
What are Life Sciences?
Traditionally, life sciences was synonymous with biology. However, more recently, the discipline of life sciences has expanded enormously to include a diverse range of subjects, from neuroscience to climate change.
Broadly, it may be divided into three areas; molecular biosciences, cell and molecular biology, and biology. Below is a brief overview of these subjects.
Molecular Biosciences
Structural biology
Structural biology is the science of investigating biological macromolecules; how their shape and structure is determined, what advantages this confers, and the consequences of alterations to this structure. Imaging techniques such as X-ray Crystallography, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, and Electron Microscopy have been vital to this field. Recently, an important enzyme of MRSA (methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus) has been visualised, which may allow for the development of drugs for novel targets on this enzyme, and offer the possibility of the production of a treatment for MRSA.
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is the application of IT methods to biological systems, which may be used to map DNA sequences or even to predict gene expression. There are several main areas of research in bioinformatics. One of these is linking DNA sequences with their functional products; another is analysing the biodiversity of a habitat. Bioinformatics may be used to analyse where mutations have occurred in specific cancers to identify aetiological genes and mutations.
Systems Biology
This is the study of biological systems using the approach of considering all facets of the system at once, rather than analysing specific components of the system separately. This approach is termed holism. Systems biology includes a variety of specific disciplines, including transcriptomics (measurements of gene expression), proteomics (identfying the presence and expression of proteins), metabolomics (identification of small metabolic molecules), glycomics (analysis and measurement of the carbohydrates of a cell or tissue), interactomics (analysis of the interactions between molecules such as proteins), and fluxomics (analysis of the changes in molecules present over time).
Glycobiology
Glycobiology is the study of carbohydrates and polysaccharides within biological systems and organisms. This has far-reaching applications, from mechanisms involved in development of lung metastasis to methods by which HIV may evade the immune system.
Cell and Molecular Biology
Biophysics
Biophysics is multidisciplinary and is the employment of physical sciences to aid in the explanation and modelling of biological systems. This can be at any level, from the ecosystem to the organism, to the cell, encompassing topics from evolution to cell division.
Cell biology and functional genomics
This is the study of the dynamic aspects of gene expression, such as transcription and protein expression, in order to determine the function and applications of gene products. This aids developments in areas from biomedicine to tackling environmental problems. Studies have elucidated processes surrouding the application of epigenetics to oncogenes, to gene expression patterns in neurological disease, and the possibility of assessing individual drug responses or susceptibilities to disease, and consequently the tailoring of treatments to individual cases.
Immunology and infection, microbial pathogenesis
This is the study of the interactions of the immune system between its components and with foreign microbes, and the study of the ways in which microbes can cause disease. Investigation into these topics is vital for the understanding of pathogenic mechanisms and consequently for the development of new strategies to tackle specific diseases.
Biology
Ecology, evolution and conservation
Ecology is the study of the natural environment; the interaction between plants and animals, and their role within the ecosystem. It also considers the abundance and distribution (e.g. biodiversity and populations) of organisms. Evolution is the study of genetic drift and shift, and changes in the genetic makeup of species allowing them to develop through interactions with their environment. Conservation is the science of the protection and maintenance of biodiversity, aiming to protect habitats, animals and plants from extinction.
Plant and microbial sciences
These disciplines are the study of plants and their chemistry, development and cell biology, and the study of microbial pathogenicity and transformation.
Population biology
This is the study of the dynamics and interactions between populations of species and between species and their habitats. The discipline may also include population genetics and has much overlap and influence on conservation and ecology.
Climate change
The study of climate change through the effects of global warming is a hot topic for debate and study, and a cause for major international concern. For more information, please see our Hot Topics page.
Useful External Links
Structural biology:
Bioinformatics:
Systems biology:
Glycobiology:
Biophysics:
Functional genomics:
Infection and immunity:
Ecology:
Conservation:
Plant Biology:
Population genetics