BioTender-max Science Communication — Making Research Accessible
Overview
Translate complex scientific findings into engaging content for non-specialist audiences.
Output Types
Press Release
- Headline: Active voice, no jargon, emphasize significance
- Lead paragraph: Who, what, when, where, why — in plain language
- Quote: From the lead researcher, expressing significance
- Background: 1-2 paragraphs of accessible context
- Implications: What this means for patients/society/technology
- Contact info: PI, institution press office
Plain-Language Summary
- Write at 8th-grade reading level
- Replace jargon: "gene expression" → "how active a gene is"
- Use analogies: "DNA methylation is like a dimmer switch for genes"
- One key finding per paragraph
- End with "Why it matters"
Social Media (Twitter/X Thread)
- Hook tweet: surprising finding in <280 chars
- 3-5 thread tweets explaining the story
- Include: figure, emoji for visual breaks, relevant hashtags
- Tag relevant accounts (journal, institution, collaborators)
Blog Post / Explainer
- Catchy title (question or surprising fact)
- Opening hook: a story, analogy, or question
- Background: what was known before
- The breakthrough: what's new
- Implications: what happens next
- Further reading: links to paper and resources
Principles
- Accuracy: Never oversimplify to the point of being wrong
- Engagement: Tell a story, not a lecture
- Honesty: Include limitations and caveats
- Accessibility: No acronyms without expansion, no undefined jargon