One of the primary purposes of the introduction is to convey the importance of the research being presented. How is this addressed by the researchers in this paper?
A good introduction must convey the significance of a study. In this regard, a lab or any other report must convince its audience that research is important in solving certain problems or filling gaps in previous studies. Interestingly, this journal article scored highly in this area. The study “Green fluorescent protein as a new expression marker in mycobacteria” highlighted the role of green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a reporter molecule for mycobacteria. From the experiment, GFP was found to be an appropriate reporter for mycobacteria. In vitro and in vivo experiments on infected mice proved that GFP is an excellent reporter for mycobacteria. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of most strains of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis kills more people than any other infectious disease. However, GFP can identify drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Therefore, this experiment is important in the fight against this killer-disease.
An introduction also typically describes background information relevant to the research being conducted, which informs the reader on important aspects of the organisms or molecules being studied, any applicable theories or models, and the history of the research topic, including reference citations. What sorts of background information are provided in this paper?
Apart from bringing out the importance of a study, an introduction presents the issues under study. As a result, the intents of a researcher are recognized easily. A straightforward way of doing this is by providing a reader with relevant background information, applicable theories or models and the history of the research topic with citations and references. Consequently, all audiences are able to appreciate a research. A study should not be understood by people from a specific field only. This journal provides enough background information on the topic.
The researchers seem to have done a considerable literature review. For instance, citing Raviglione et al. (995), the article gives an account of the tuberculosis problem. Accordingly, a reader is able to tell that studies on dynamics in virulence and gene control in mycobacteria have been hastened by an increase in the number of people killed by tuberculosis. The journal also acknowledges progress made by previous scholars in understanding the genetic organization of mycobacterium. Timm et al. (1994) and other scholars have been cited in the introduction of the article. These studies underpin the importance of reporter genes. Relevant theories reiterate that reporter genes are used in the identification of new genes. The strength of a promoter gene can be measured or compared with that of other promoters by the use of a reporter gene. Reporter genes are, hence, very important in studies involving mycobacteria. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene is a reporter gene for mycobacteria. GFP is a useful reporter for anti-tuberculosis compound. For that reason, GFP is imperative in the screening of antimicrobial drugs. This study was modeled on these facts.
Introductions also present a hypothesis to be tested, or a brief summary of what new research will be presented in the paper. What is the main finding of this paper?
A problem statement is an important aspect of a good lab report. In the problem statement, a researcher gives a summary of where new research is required. Problems under study are, thus, communicated in this section of a report. Consequently, people are able to comprehend the hypothesis of a study. In this journal, a section of the introduction clearly indicates what the study is all about. The article is a report on the finding of a study involving the exploration of (GFP) gene as a reporter gene for mycobacteria. When catalyzed by the heat-shock promoter (hsp60), GFP produces fluorescence. This happens in the absence of other proteins, substrates or co-factors. According to the journal, GFP gene placed under the control of hsp60 produced a green fluorescent in experiments conducted in and outside the body of infected mice. Therefore, by just reading the introduction, one is able understand the hypothesis and main findings of this paper.
Reference
Laurent Kremer, Alain Baulard, Jerome Estaquier, Odile Poulain-Godefroy, and Camille Lochf. (1995). Green fluorescent protein as a new expression marker in mycobacteria. Molecular Microbiology, 17(5), 913-922.