Unlocking the Secrets of Scientific Storytelling at BITS 2019
Submit Your AbstractImagine you've made a discovery. You've spent months, maybe years, at the lab bench, and you've finally uncovered a piece of nature's puzzle. What's the next crucial step? It's not just publishing a paper—it's standing up and sharing that story with the world.
An oral presentation at a conference like BITS 2019 is where science comes alive. It's a chance to transform complex data into a compelling narrative, to captivate your peers, and to spark collaborations that can change the course of your research.
This is your call to step into the spotlight. Presenting your work orally allows you to:
Receive immediate feedback and questions from experts in your field.
Connect with potential collaborators, mentors, and future employers.
Gain visibility and establish yourself as an expert in your research area.
Before you can take the stage, you need to pass the first gate: the abstract. Think of it as the movie trailer for your research. In just a few hundred words, it needs to hook the reader, outline the plot, and reveal the blockbuster ending.
What is the big question you're trying to answer? Why does it matter? Set the stage by explaining the knowledge gap your research fills.
How did you investigate the question? Briefly describe your experimental approach. Be clear but concise—save the intricate details for the presentation itself.
What did you discover? This is the core of your abstract. Present your most significant findings without interpretation. Use clear, factual statements.
What does it all mean? Interpret your results. How do they answer the initial question? What is the broader impact of your work?
Use active voice and strong verbs to make your abstract more engaging. Instead of "It was observed that..." try "We discovered..." or "Our results demonstrate..."
Let's make this concrete by looking at a (hypothetical) example of a past winning presentation: "Targeting the Guardian: A Novel Inhibitor against p53 Mutants in Aggressive Breast Cancer."
The researcher, Dr. Elena Vance, proposed a clear and logical pathway to test her hypothesis.
Aggressive triple-negative breast cancer cells, known to harbor a specific p53 mutation, were grown in the lab.
A library of 1,000 potential drug-like compounds was applied to the cells to identify any that reduced cell viability.
The most promising compound, dubbed "BITS-Ibitor," was selected for further testing. Its effect on cell death (apoptosis) was measured using flow cytometry.
To understand how BITS-Ibitor worked, the team used a technique called co-immunoprecipitation to see if the compound restored the function of the mutant p53 protein.
Finally, the efficacy of BITS-Ibitor was tested in a mouse model of the cancer to confirm its activity in a living organism.
Dr. Vance's results were striking. The data clearly showed that BITS-Ibitor was not just another cytotoxic compound; it specifically targeted the dysfunctional p53 pathway.
| Cell Line | p53 Status | Treatment | Cell Viability (% of Control) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDA-MB-231 | Mutant | Control (DMSO) | 100% |
| MDA-MB-231 | Mutant | BITS-Ibitor (10µM) | 45% |
| MCF-10A | Normal (Wild-type) | Control (DMSO) | 100% |
| MCF-10A | Normal (Wild-type) | BITS-Ibitor (10µM) | 92% |
BITS-Ibitor dramatically reduced the viability of cancer cells with mutant p53 while showing minimal effect on healthy cells, suggesting a targeted and potentially safer therapeutic approach.
| Treatment | % of Apoptotic Cells (Early + Late) |
|---|---|
| Control (DMSO) | 4.5% |
| BITS-Ibitor (10µM) | 62.1% |
The massive increase in apoptotic cells confirms that BITS-Ibitor doesn't just slow down the cancer cells; it actively triggers their self-destruction program.
| Mouse Group | Treatment | Average Tumor Volume (mm³) after 21 days |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saline Control | 450 |
| 2 | BITS-Ibitor (10mg/kg) | 150 |
The promising lab results translated to a living system, with treated mice showing a dramatic 67% reduction in tumor growth compared to the control group.
The scientific importance was clear: this research identified a first-in-class compound that could potentially offer a new treatment avenue for a cancer subtype with limited options, all by cleverly targeting a specific genetic flaw .
Every great experiment relies on a toolkit of specialized reagents. Here's a look at some of the essential materials used in the featured cancer biology research.
| Research Reagent Solution | Function in the Experiment |
|---|---|
| Cell Culture Media | A nutrient-rich "soup" designed to keep cells alive and dividing outside the body, providing the foundation for all cell-based tests. |
| p53 Mutant Cell Lines | These are the "disease in a dish." They are engineered or patient-derived cancer cells that contain the specific p53 mutation being studied, serving as the primary model for testing. |
| BITS-Ibitor Compound | The investigative new drug candidate. Its function is to selectively bind to and reactivate mutant p53 protein, turning a broken "guardian" back into a tumor suppressor. |
| Apoptosis Detection Kit | A cocktail of fluorescent dyes that bind to specific markers on dying cells. This allows scientists to quantify and confirm programmed cell death using a flow cytometer. |
| Antibodies for Immunoprecipitation | Highly specific protein-seeking missiles. These antibodies are used to "pull down" the p53 protein from a cell soup, allowing researchers to see what other proteins it interacts with. |
A well-designed experiment controls for variables and includes appropriate positive and negative controls to ensure results are reliable and reproducible .
Proper statistical methods are essential for determining whether observed effects are significant and not due to random chance .
The journey from a single observation at the lab bench to a confident presentation in front of leading experts is what drives science forward. Dr. Vance's story began with a well-written abstract and a compelling set of data, just like yours can.
BITS 2019 is your platform. It's your opportunity to share your hard work, receive valuable feedback, and connect with the global scientific community. Don't just do the science—communicate it. We look forward to hearing your story.