Bioblast:About
Bioblast Wiki
Bioblast was launched on 2010-07-12 as a glossary and index in the field of high-resolution respirometry (OROBOROS INSTRUMENTS: OroboroPedia [1]) and Mitochondrial Physiology (MitoPedia [2]), in an attempt to help finding particular topics more quickly and to provide short definitions of terms, abbreviations and symbols frequently used. However, it´s potential benefits make it much more than just a service by OROBOROS INSTRUMENTS – it is meant to be an innovative, self-developing database – in the spirit of Gentle Science.
What is a wiki? A wiki (from the Hawaiian word wiki, meaning “fast”) [3] is a technology for creating dynamic and collaborative websites. Quoting Ward Cunningham, the developer of the first wiki software WikiWikiWeb, it is “the simplest online database that could possibly work” [4]. Any user of the Bioblast Wiki will recognize the navigation tools of the software MediaWiki - that make the Wikipedia so popular and easy to use.
What is the aim? The Bioblast Wiki is an initiative in the spirit of Gentle Science [5] and Scientific Social Responsibility. It allows a decentralized evolution and contribution to a growing glossary of scientific terms in the MitoPedia and specifically selected references in the category ‘Publications’. While we frequently refer to the Wikipedia, the MitoPedia may be instrumental in developing a generally recognized nomenclature within the growing field of Mitochondrial Physiology (MiP). Contributions are invited by students and experts in the field.
The category ‘Publications’ provides (1) a portal for sharing and disseminating relevant publications in mitochondrial physiology, (2) use of ‘filters’ to find relevant publications more quickly on the basis of specific keywords, and (3) allows the “evolution” of a scientific publication – by providing space for open discussions, critical comments to and extensions of an otherwise static ‘paper’. This applies specifically to ‘Methods and Materials’ sections, which may be limited due to restrictions of space in the original publication. Here the type of information can be added and edited to the extent that is helpful in practice. The MiPNet-Protocols provide an example, which now can be found more quickly in the OroboroPedia (Manuals and Protocols) and users can contribute with their expertise.
How to register? wiki@bioblast.at - a gradually increasing community of ‘active users’ implies a growth of the Bioblast Wiki following the concept of Tempo giusto (the appropriate speed).
How does it work?We invite members of the MiPsociety to join as ‘active users’ to ensure that the gradually opening Bioblast Wiki will develop into a database of top-quality scientific information. This can be achieved only by an expert-moderated wiki – meaning the input and feedback of a large benevolent user community of experts in mitochondrial physiology.
The MIPsociety can shape the wiki platform by its world-wide recognition of scientific excellence -bringing together scientists working in divergent disciplines, to discuss, to resolve differences, to spread new knowledge and techniques; thus meeting the demand to integrate current developments in the methodologically and conceptually complex field of mitochondrial physiology [6]
Notes
- ↑ The term OroboroPedia is a portmanteau from Ouroboros “the tail-eater” – an archetypical symbol of a dragon forming a circle, where “creation and the created become one in an inseparable process”. http://www.mipart.at/index.php?id=oroboros-archetypical-symbol 2010-09-09
- ↑ The term MitoPedia is a portmanteau from Mitochondria and encyclopedia
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki 2010-09-09
- ↑ Cunningham, Ward, What is a Wiki, WikiWikiWeb, http://www.wiki.org/wiki.cgi?WhatIsWiki 2010-09-09
- ↑ http://wiki.oroboros.at/index.php/Gentle_Science 2010-09-16
- ↑ Gnaiger E, ed (2005) Mitochondrial Physiology. The Many Faces and Functions of an Organelle. MiP2005 Abstracts. Mitochondr. Physiol. Network 10.09: 1-152
