Biomedical Journal Club
Language: English
Lead by: Oleg Lunov, Ph.D.
A journal club can be defined as a group of individuals who meet regularly to discuss articles in the current medical literature1. The first reported club was led by Sir James Paget in 1835 at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London and the first known regular club was reported by Sir William Osler at McGill University in 18751. The first article examining a journal club as an educational tool was by Mattingly in 19661, 2. Currently, the journal club is a common educational tool and its role in contemporary biomedical and biophysical education for postgraduates is considerable. Nowadays, Journal Clubs are educational meetings where individuals meet regularly to critically evaluate recent articles in the scientific literature. They have often been cited as a bridge between research and practice.
Aims of the journal club
One of the many aims is to keep abreast of the scientific literature, which has expanded greatly over recent years. The journal club has, therefore, become an integral part of continuous biomedical and biophysical education. Utilizing journal clubs proves to be a successful approach for teaching biomedical disciplines, garnering positive feedback from participants 3, 4. These clubs enhance targeted educational objectives, including the acquisition and retention of knowledge, as well as the development of skills in manuscript writing and critical appraisal 3, 4. Thus, we would like to establish regular Biomedical Journal Club in the Institute of Physics.
A journal club is an important forum for teaching research methodology and statistics, and should aim to provide the following:
• an opportunity for training in scientific research decision making and for gaining critical appraisal skills;
• an evidence based approach to problem solving;
• a tool for informing guideline development;
• an exchange of insights regarding research problems;
• an opportunity for social interaction.
Why are Journal Clubs important?
• No one reads enough. Journal clubs are an excellent way to keep up and expand.
• Not every journal club is memorable, but we tend to remember many of them. It’s good practice even for experienced speakers.
References
1. M. Linzer, Postgrad Med J, 1987, 63, 475-478.
2. D. R. Dirschl, P. Tornetta, 3rd and M. Bhandari, Clin Orthop Relat Res, 2003, 146-157.
3. Y. J. Li, Y. Zhang, R. Liu, Y. Hao and J. Xiong, BMC Medical Education, 2023, 23, 683.
4. J. O. Bello and P. Grant, Can Med Educ J, 2023, 14, 35-46.
Proposed schedule and topics of Journal Clubs for first half of 2024.
March 1st
Time: 14:00 – 15:30
Presenter: Mariia Uzhytchak
Paper to be discussed: Extracellular fluid viscosity enhances cell migration and cancer dissemination. Nature volume 611, pages 365–373 (2022)
Schedule: 30 min presentation + 1 h discussion
April 26th
Time: 14:00 – 15:30
Presenter: Petra Elblová
Paper to be discussed: The STING phase-separator suppresses innate immune signalling. Nature Cell Biology volume 23, pages 330–340 (2021)
Schedule: 30 min presentation + 1 h discussion
June 14th
Time: 14:00 – 15:30
Presenter: Hana Andělová
Paper to be discussed: Mitochondrial fission links ECM mechanotransduction to metabolic redox homeostasis and metastatic chemotherapy resistance. Nature Cell Biology volume 24, pages 168–180 (2022)
Schedule: 30 min presentation + 1 h discussion
Date TBC
Time: 14:00 – 15:30
Presenter: Alicia Calé
Paper to be discussed: Mitochondrial fission and bioenergetics mediate human lung fibroblast durotaxis. JCI Insight volume 8, pages e157348 (2023)
Schedule: 30 min presentation + 1 h discussion