I concur with Mike
- If the paper reproduces at least in part a result already published, then the precedent(s) should be referenced (even if the experimental approach is different) - If the paper discusses a previous experimental result or inference from the results of another publication, a reference should be given - But a reference other than a PDB code is not required if the paper is comparing a structure to another without discussion of the former results. Of course there is nothing wrong with giving the reference to the original paper. Thierry From: CCP4 bulletin board [mailto:CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK] On Behalf Of R. M. Garavito Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2012 9:56 AM To: CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK Subject: Re: [ccp4bb] Somewhat OT: question of professional courtesy Evette, I think the primary issue is what kind of analysis was being reported on. That is what I look for when I review a manuscript. If the authors are doing a broad structural analysis (homology of TIM barrels, X-ray refinement protocols, etc.), I wouldn't expect citations beyond stating the PDB entries used. However, if this was a primary structural analysis of a macromolecule, I would expect that a discussion of the structural comparison would include references to earlier work(s) on related molecules, but I have seen this happen where a group reinvents the wheel (sometimes rather badly) because they don't take the time to look at the literature, just a DALI run and a PDB search. It is just bad science not to discuss what earlier researchers have done to put your work in context. Just my 2 cents worth, Michael **************************************************************** R. Michael Garavito, Ph.D. Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 603 Wilson Rd., Rm. 513 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824-1319 Office: (517) 355-9724 Lab: (517) 353-9125 FAX: (517) 353-9334 Email: rmgarav...@gmail.com<mailto:garav...@gmail.com> **************************************************************** On Jul 25, 2012, at 9:15 AM, Tim Gruene wrote: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Dear Evette, the PDB lists the citation when you enter the PDB-ID in the search mask of any of the web-interfaces, which is much easier for the reader than typing the information from the list of references, i.e. all information is in the article by mentioning the PDB-ID. Why do you consider it a matter of courtesy to re-cite the structural work? Cheers, Tim On 07/25/12 14:33, Radisky, Evette S., Ph.D. wrote: Dear bb, This morning as I scanned an accepted manuscript from a well-respected-but-not-particularly-glamorous journal that publishes many macromolecular structures, I came across a brief mention of homology and rmsd with a published structure listed by PDB accession number, but no citation of the primary reference for this structure. (OK, so I wouldn't have noticed or cared had it not been one of mine.) The paper did not have a lot of references, so it was not due to limitation in the number of refs permitted. I have always thought it a matter of professional courtesy to cite the appropriate reference when one uses and mentions a structure from the PDB, but as I think back, I realize no one explicitly told me this-- it is just an assumption that I made. Maybe I am the one with unrealistic expectations here? Is there a general consensus among crystallographers on this practice? Thanks! Evette Evette S. Radisky, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Mayo Clinic Cancer Center Griffin Cancer Research Building, Rm 310 4500 San Pablo Road Jacksonville, FL 32224 (904) 953-6372 - -- - -- Dr Tim Gruene Institut fuer anorganische Chemie Tammannstr. 4 D-37077 Goettingen GPG Key ID = A46BEE1A -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.12 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org/ iD8DBQFQD/FSUxlJ7aRr7hoRAsCRAKDBB5CprXaR1v2QtA57n+3LmVPbAACfegbW I/IlD77jIjoUXgFCiMo9tdI= =xqVY -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- Notice: This e-mail message, together with any attachments, contains information of Merck & Co., Inc. (One Merck Drive, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA 08889), and/or its affiliates Direct contact information for affiliates is available at http://www.merck.com/contact/contacts.html) that may be confidential, proprietary copyrighted and/or legally privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity named on this message. If you are not the intended recipient, and have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by reply e-mail and then delete it from your system.
