For many scientists, the most satisfying part of producing a lengthy article (aside from the hoped-for Nobel prize) is the moment when the page proofs are finally out the door to the publisher and the thought occurs they they will never have to look at the article again. But a new requirement that authors post an article abstract on the Wikipedia online encyclopedia may have them revisiting their work, or at least an abstract of it, a bit sooner than anticipated.

The science journal RNA Biology has announced new guidelines that require authors to prepare and submit an abstract of their article accepted for publication in the new RNA Families section of the Journal for posting on the Wikipedia online encyclopedia. According to an article in Nature magazine, this is the first such requirement ever imposed on authors by a science publication. Once the article is accepted for publication, the guidelines require the author to upload the abstract to Wikipedia.

The Nature article also details the new Wikipedia abstract publication requirement in the larger context of the RNA Wiki project that is aimed at getting researchers who work on RNA to participate in creating and publicly proliferating data on RNA families.

One of the first things that comes to the mind of an experienced Wikipedia user is the fact that once uploaded, the article abstract will be open for editing by anyone, as is generally the case with Wikipedia articles. The project sponsors believe that vandalism will not be a serious problem with the kind of content contained in this particular subset of Wikipedia articles, according to the Nature article. While that is probably true, it would still be wise for those scientists, or indeed any authors who have a professional interest in material they upload to Wikipedia, to make a practice of checking the entry periodically to see if any unwanted changes have been made.

The Journal guidelines also address the recent NIH requirement for open access to funded research by offering the option of open access immediately upon publication of the article with the payment of a fee.

Posted in Biotech
Tags: NIH, open access, rna wikiproject, wikipedia
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Photo of Daryn Grossman Daryn Grossman

Daryn A. Grossman is a partner in our Corporate Department and head of the Life Sciences Group.

Daryn is the former Managing Partner and continues to participate in the leadership of the firm in various capacities, working closely with the Firm’s Chair and…

Daryn A. Grossman is a partner in our Corporate Department and head of the Life Sciences Group.

Daryn is the former Managing Partner and continues to participate in the leadership of the firm in various capacities, working closely with the Firm’s Chair and Executive Committee in relation to the implementation of the Firm’s business strategy.

Over the course of her career, Daryn has served in several leadership positions including co-chair of Proskauer’s global Corporate Department, the Firm’s largest department, and as co-head of the Technology, Media & Telecommunications Group. She has also served on the Firm’s Hiring Committee, Business Development Committee and Lateral Acquisition Committee.  Daryn has championed the career of many women lawyers throughout the Firm and actively engages in the Proskauer Women’s Alliance programming.

As a tech-transactional lawyer, Daryn has designed and negotiated complex technology and intellectual property transaction structures, including strategic alliances, licensing, technology development and outsourcing transactions. Her clients include a wide range of life sciences, cloud computing, digital media, Internet, software, electronics, luxury goods, retail, fashion, entertainment, telecommunications and clean technology companies.

Daryn’s practice also focuses on technology mergers, acquisitions, sales and spinoffs. She represents both growth and mature companies, and counsels venture capitalists and strategic investors in evaluating intellectual property portfolios in connection with private equity investments, public offerings and mergers and acquisitions. Daryn often counsels boards of directors and management teams in navigating the critical commercial and legal issues surrounding product development and exploitation and risk mitigation.

Clients describe Daryn as “skilled and resourceful.” IAM Patent writes: “In the IP monetization area, there is nothing crack negotiator Daryn Grossman can’t do,” adding that she has “a command of all deal types across the IP commercialization spectrum…she can go toe to toe with anybody. She just gets deals done.”

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