FROM EVIDENCE TO ART How palaeoartists bring the ancient world to life - Royal Society of Biology
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INTERVIEW FOCUS ON NEUROSCIENCE
LIZ BONNIN TALKS BIG CATS THE NEXT GENERATION THE STRANGENESS OF
AND PLASTIC POLLUTION OF CANCER VACCINES ‘UNCONSCIOUS VISION’
THE MAGAZINE OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF BIOLOGY / www.rsb.org.uk ISSN 0006-3347 • Vol 65 No 4 • Aug/Sep 18
FROM EVIDENCE TO ART
How palaeoartists bring the ancient world to life
CONTENTS Volume 65 No 4
August/September 2018
HAVE AN IDEA FOR AN
ARTICLE OR INTERESTED
IN WRITING FOR US?
For details contact
tom.ireland@rsb.org.uk
ROYAL SOCIETY OF BIOLOGY
Charles Darwin House, 12 Roger Street,
London WC1N 2JU
Tel: 020 7685 2400
info@rsb.org.uk; www.rsb.org.uk
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editor
Tom Ireland MRSB
@Tom_J_Ireland
tom.ireland@rsb.org.uk ON THE COVER
Chair of the Editorial Board Bringing the past to life
Professor Alison Woollard FRSB
10 Palaeoartists explain how they
Editorial Board reconstruct ancient worlds
Dr Anthony Flemming MRSB, Syngenta
Professor Adam Hart FRSB,
University of Gloucestershire
Dr Sarah Maddocks CBiol MRSB,
Cardiff Metropolitan University UP FRONT
Dr Rachael Nimmo MRSB,
University College London 04 Society News
Professor Shaun D Pattinson FRSB, Parliamentary Links Day; RSB
Durham University chief executive honoured;
Dr James Poulter MRSB,
University of Leeds
Biology Week 2018
Dr Cristiana P Velloso MRSB,
King’s College London 06 Policy, analysis and opinion
Membership enquiries The influence of scientific
Tel: 01233 504804 instrument makers, and new
membership@rsb.org.uk thinking on science investment
Subscription enquiries
Tel: 020 7685 2556; info@rsb.org.uk
FEATURES
16
The Biologist is produced on behalf of
the Royal Society of Biology by 16 Interview
Think Publishing Ltd, Capital House,
25 Chapel Street, London NW1 5DH Liz Bonnin on big cats,
www.thinkpublishing.co.uk; biochemistry and taking
020 3771 7200 responsibility for our planet
Printed by Wyndeham Southernprint
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42 20 Out of sight
The patient who could grasp what
Production editor Sian Campbell
she couldn’t see and how it helped
Sub editor Kirsty Fortune
Associate director John Innes us understand how vision works
john.innes@thinkpublishing.co.uk
Non-member rates: £126.00 24 By degrees
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26 Focus on…
David Lindsay; Atlantic Productions (Liz Bonnin); Sarcosaurus by Mark Witton
Views expressed in this magazine are not Therapeutic cancer vaccines – are
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Vol 65 No 4 / The Biologist / 1
WELCOME
What’s in this issue
Palaeoartists bring
the past to life
I
’m writing this editorial at 37,000 feet en route to New York,
celebrating my 50th birthday in style with my oldest friend.
Fifty! How did that happen? It’s all relative, of course: we
humans are but a nail filing on the outstretched arm of life,
BioPic
so reading about palaeoart (page 10) has cheered me up
somewhat. What cool jobs our featured palaeoartists have,
bringing ancient life to art – an increasingly data-led venture
that sparks collaboration between artist and scientist, COOT DROWNING
blurring the distinctions in order to celebrate and represent A BUZZARD
some of the billions of life forms that had their day in the sun By Naomi Portnoy
millions of years ago.
Now back to the present day and more worries about This extraordinary picture
our capacity to destroy our wonderful planet in the incredibly was sent in by member
short time we have inhabited it. Wildlife and science Alexander Waller, whose
broadcaster Liz Bonnin is our interviewee (page 16) and her friend Naomi Portnoy
new BBC film is about plastic pollution. Bonnin thinks a call to photographed a coot
arms is needed – not so much targeted at individuals making drowning a buzzard while
small-scale changes, such as using cardboard straws, but The scientists she was walking in
focused on governments driving step-change across societies. proposed that woodland in
No time to waste? No time for waste! Away from the gloom and there are two Alblasserwaard, the
doom, be inspired by Bonnin’s fascinating career journey (she Netherlands. The image
used to present Top of the Pops!) and see if you agree with her
visual streams
amazed ornithologists
refreshingly honest views about zoos. operating quite from around the world
Now here’s a weird story. Regaining consciousness after separately in the when posted by The
being poisoned by carbon monoxide about 30 years ago, a brain, one to Biologist’s editor, Tom
woman known as ‘patient DF’ discovered she couldn’t see. As Ireland, on Twitter and
her sight returned over the next few days, she regained the
control visual
was discussed on the
ability to perceive colour and texture, but not shape or form. perception and BBC’s Springwatch
She knew a pencil was yellow, but couldn’t describe its the other for programme soon after.
orientation when it was held in front of her. But although she visual control of Portnoy reports that
couldn’t describe its orientation, she had no trouble orienting the buzzard had been
her grasp to pick it up. Basically, she could act on visual
our actions
attacking the coot’s young
information that she couldn’t perceive. Taken together with before it was forced
DF’s brain scans, the case led neuroscientists Melvyn Goodale backwards into the water
and David Milner (writing on page 20) to propose that there by the coot. “The buzzard
are two visual streams operating quite separately in the brain, was waterlogged quite
one to control visual perception and the other for visual control Alison Woollard FRSB
quickly, and the coot
of our actions. Modern functional MRI studies have been able Chair, Editorial Board of made sure it drowned
to shed even more light on how these parallel visual streams The Biologist completely – and even
interact in order to maximise the visual awareness that most when it was, the coot
of us take for granted every second of every day. stood on it and continued
In this issue, we also look at the exciting developments in pecking for some time,”
cancer vaccines (page 26) and, finally – look at that BioPic – she writes. “It was very
have you ever seen anything like it? This extraordinary photo, violent and moving in
sent in by a reader, attracted thousands of shares on Twitter many ways, including
and ended up being featured on Springwatch. All power to the the sound of the
readership – please keep your pictures and article ideas coming! buzzard drowning.”
2 / The Biologist / Vol 65 No 4 Vol 65 No 4 / The Biologist / 3
UPFRONT
Society news • Opinion • Policy updates • Analysis
In case you missed it...
RSB
More than 500 degrees
given RSB accreditation
The editor’s pick of biology stories being shared online
Over the last year 17 more institutions’ degree
programmes have been recognised by the Society’s IRISH ‘GIANT’ COULD BE BURIED vocabulary of more than 1,000 signs and
accreditation scheme, taking the total number of AFTER 200 YEARS ON DISPLAY the ability to understand 2,000 words of
degrees accredited by the Society to more than 500. The Hunterian Museum in London has spoken English. Koko’s apparent ability to
A parliamentary reception celebrating the latest said it may release the skeleton of Charles hold conversations with humans, and care
cohort of accredited institutions took place in Byrne, which has been displayed for more for cats, made her the subject of
April, with academics, industry representatives than two centuries against his final numerous documentaries, although some
and bioscience students invited to attend. wishes. Byrne, who suffered from scientists have raised doubts about some
The RSB Accreditation programme champions gigantism and reached 7 feet 7 inches tall, of the claims of her communication
excellence in the biosciences, not only recognising asked friends to ensure he was buried at abilities.
degree programmes that offer a high standard of sea to prevent his remains being sold to NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
teaching and practical skill development, but also the medical establishment, but his bit.ly/Koko-dies
those that enhance graduate employability. skeleton was acquired by surgeon and
Almost 300 programmes across 38 UK anatomist John Hunter, and has stood as 5TH JULY BECOMES
institutions have now received Accreditation, and a centrepiece in the museum for more LGBT IN STEM DAY
more than 200 programmes at 23 UK institutions than 200 years. The museum, which is
Dame Jean Thomas and dignitaries
have been awarded Advanced Accreditation. celebrate with representatives
closing for refurbishment until 2021, said
See page p24 for David Coates’ article on the need from accredited institutions its board of trustees will now consider
for accreditation in the biosciences. allowing the remains to be given a
respectful burial during the closure.
THE GUARDIAN
EVENTS Minister for Business, Energy and impact of his work during nine years at the bit.ly/Irishgiant
Standing room only as Industrial Strategy; Dr Patrick Vallance, helm of the Society.
the Government’s chief scientific adviser; Downs won the Louis Armstrong FAMED SIGNING GORILLA,
scientists gather for 30th and Rebecca Endean, UKRI’s director of Leadership Award, which recognises KOKO, DIES AT 46
Parliamentary Links Day strategy. Two panel discussions, chaired by outstanding performance and impact, at
the BBC’s science correspondent Pallab the Memcom Awards, which celebrates the
Ghosh, focused on the Government’s work of membership organisations.
Industrial Strategy and how its ambitious Chief executive of the RSB since its Charles Byrne’s skeleton on display
aims could be achieved. formation in 2009, Downs has overseen at The Hunterian Museum
The next Parliamentary Links Day will the growth of individual membership to
be on Tuesday 25th June 2019. more than 18,000, a doubling of annual of Avian Science), who wrote: “Wow. I
A more detailed report from the event turnover, and the Society’s receipt of its have heard of coots being aggressive, but
can be found at bit.ly/RSB_LINKS Royal title in 2015. Since 2009, the RSB personally have never heard of them
has also submitted more than 100 policy This July saw the first international drowning something as large as a
AWARDS positions to Government and others, LGBT+ STEM day to recognise the buzzard.” Another Twitter user called the
accredited more than 500 educational
Packed
house for
Society’s chief executive programmes across more than 50 higher
contribution of LGBT scientists and
increase awareness of issues they face.
image “unforgettably haunting”.
VIA @TOM_J_IRELAND
annual event wins national award education institutions, and reached nearly Under the hashtag #LGBTSTEMday, bit.ly/CootvBuzzard
500,000 pupils and many more members scientists from around the world shared
Prime Minister Theresa May sent a Mark Downs of the public through its competitions and their experiences online and celebrated SCIENTISTS REACH UNDISTURBED
message of thanks to the RSB and the FRSB outreach activities. diversity in science with rainbow-themed RAINFOREST IN AFRICAN VOLCANO
wider scientific community as part of the Lucy Coia, membership and marketing scientific images. A team of international scientists have
30th Parliamentary Links Day. officer for the RSB, was also shortlisted for A blogpost on the day by the RSB’s science found a ‘wealth’ of new species after
The annual meeting of scientists and a Memcom award for her work in policy officer Alessandro Coatti can be found scaling Mozambique’s Mount Lico to
MPs is the largest science event in the supporting the Society’s membership. at bit.ly/LGBTinSTEM reach what is thought to be Africa’s only
parliamentary events calendar. Organised Koko with animal known undisturbed rainforest. Professor
by the Society, the event allows hundreds AWARDS psychologist THE BIOLOGIST’S COOT PICTURE Julian Bayliss used satellite technology to
of scientists and representatives from the Francine Patterson
science and engineering community to
Bioscience and RSB SPARKS TWITTER DEBATE
Ornithologists and bird-watchers from
find the hidden forest, and a team of
biologists were supported by free
membership recognised in
ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo
engage with MPs, peers and policymakers Koko, a western lowland gorilla known for around the world have shared and climbers in order to scale the volcano’s
in the Houses of Parliament. latest Queen’s honours list her ability to communicate in sign commented on the stunning image of a sheer 125m side to reach the lush
This year appeared to be the most well- language, has died at the Gorilla buzzard being drowned by a coot, vegetation at the top. Pictures published
attended Links Day on record, with A number of RSB Members and Fellows Foundation in California aged 46. featured on page 3 of this issue. The online by The Guardian show a range of
Speaker of the House of Commons John have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Koko helped scientists make new coot’s aggressiveness surprised many unusual caterpillars and other animals
Bercow commenting that he had “never birthday honours list, including one of the discoveries about animal sentience on Twitter and attracted hundreds of discovered in the area.
seen so many people” in the parliamentary RSB chief executive Mark Downs FRSB Society’s trustees. and communication and, according comments, including from Steve Dudley, THE GUARDIAN
conference room. has been recognised for outstanding Professor Julia Buckingham FRSB, a to The Gorilla Foundation, had a editor of IBIS (the International Journal bit.ly/MountLico
Keynote speakers included Claire Perry, leadership and the lasting and positive founding trustee of the RSB, was made
4 / The Biologist / Vol 65 No 4 Vol 65 No 4 / The Biologist / 5
OPINION
Carsten Bergenholtz, associate professor, Department of Management, Aarhus University, Denmark UPFRONT
Sam MacAulay, University of Technology Sydney
Inge Seim, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology
Hiding in plain sight
There must be more
transparency and
openness in research
aided by scientific
instrument makers,
write Carsten
Bergenholtz, Inge Seim
and Sam MacAulay
W
ithin academia and
Kelly Thomas, Primary Science Dr Richard Spencer, Secondary
industry, scientific Teacher of the Year School Biology Teacher of the Year
instruments are at
the core of daily
research activities. In CBE in recognition of her service to biology staff and volunteers from the RSB attended
recent years, various policies have and education. the Isle of Wight’s Hullabaloo Festival
been implemented to try to improve Professor Susan Hill FRSB, chief scientific (pictured) in May and the North London street
the reliability, reproducibility and officer of NHS England, was made a Dame in party CallyFest in June. The RSB’s ‘Biology
transparency of scientific research, recognition of her broad work, which includes Big Top’ brings life science organisations
and to counter biases and the non- the ground-breaking 100,000 Genome together at festivals to ensure the biosciences
disclosure of important information Project, and Professor Louise Heathwaite are well represented at public events.
in the pharmaceutical industry. But FRSB from Lancaster University received a
do we pay similar attention to the CBE for services to scientific research and AWARDS
instruments upon which life science scientific advice to government. Teachers and students
research is so often based? Professor Stuart Reid FRSB, principal at the
The name of scientific instruments, Royal Veterinary College, received a CBE for awarded for excellence
and where they can be obtained, is Manufacturers of scientific services to the veterinary profession and Outstanding school pupils and teachers were
equipment often help
traditionally mentioned in the higher education, while affiliate member recognised for their success at this year’s RSB
researchers calibrate
‘materials and methods’ sections of instruments or interpret data Fiona Highet was awarded an MBE in Education Awards Ceremony in London.
scientific articles. Having a product recognition of her work on bee health. The ceremony saw school students from the
mentioned in a manuscript is not only UK and abroad receive certificates and medals
useful information for researchers, firms, some of which circumvent this the study in a journal with high and biopharmaceutical devices), and EVENTS for their achievements in the Society’s various
but valuable marketing for the firms perceived reduced credibility by not We urge esteem in your field, and the we argue it is time for similar public biology competitions.
that manufacture the instruments.1 allowing employees to be listed as manufacturer will cite the paper on debate on how and when researchers RSB brings bioscience to The Secondary School Biology Teacher of the
journals to
To explore the relationship between co-authors, even when they
adjust their
its website for marketing purposes. should disclose the involvement of new festivals this summer Year 2018 award was presented to Dr Richard
academic researchers and the contributed significantly to published Are these scenarios acceptable? instrument firms in science. Spencer CBiol FRSB from Middlesbrough
scientific instruments industry, we work.1 What we see emerging is a guidelines Should the financial benefit or the References to instruments in College, while Kelly Thomas, of Penllergaer
surveyed academic researchers in pattern of incentives likely to firm’s involvement in generating papers are clearly valuable Primary School, Wales, was awarded the
diverse fields in the US and EU to encourage the non-disclosure of and interpreting the data be marketing materials for firms, and Primary Science Teacher of the Year Award.
gain insights into how scientific contributions being made by disclosed? Should the firm’s journal guidelines should take this
instruments are perceived in instrument firms. employees be acknowledged as into account. If one receives a OUTREACH
published materials. We have seen at least one co-authors on the publication? discount, this needs to be disclosed. Ready for Biology Week?
We found that academics discount commercial producer of transgenic Reference An informal analysis of the If an industry-based scientist or
the importance and reliability of mice offering researchers monetary 1) Bergenholtz, C. Eur. guidelines of 20 top journals in the technician has contributed to the The Society is once again gearing up for a range
Manag. Rev. 11, 159–171
information on instruments in papers rewards for citations in scientific (2014). natural sciences shows that such use of the instrument, this should of events and activities as part of Biology Week
co-authored by employees of scientific articles,3 and scientific instrument 2) Bergenholtz, C. et al. information is not required to be also be communicated. 2018, which runs from 6 to 14 October.
EMBO Reports 19
instrument firms, even when the firm’s firms promising significant (6) (2018).
disclosed.4 Since being affiliated with Not only is non-disclosure against The annual celebration of the biosciences is
instrument was not mentioned in a discounts on instrument reagents in 3) Goldacre, B. ‘So this a instrument firm seems to influence the ethos of reliability, reproducibility now in its seventh year, and the number of
company Cyagen is
manuscript.2 The differences were exchange for ‘excessive usage’ of an paying authors for
how fellow academic researchers and transparency in science, it also events organised around the world has grown
substantial and significant: academics instrument name in scientific citations in academic value the manuscript, the academic constitutes a hidden barrier to greater and more diverse each year.
do not merely distrust biomedical articles (CB and IS, personal papers’. Badscience.net and the instrument maker have a market entry for smaller scientific Those hoping to take part can visit rsb.org.
(2015, accessed
companies, as previous research has observation). Imagine a scenario 21 May 2018). shared incentive against disclosing instruments firms. Thus, we urge Hands-on biology-based outreach activities uk/biologyweek to find a range of resources
established, but also seem to be where a researcher receives a 40% 4) Bergenholtz, C. et al. such pertinent facts. journals to adjust their guidelines, have appeared at a new range of UK festivals for schools, parents, universities and other
A survey on information
sceptical of research involving discount on an instrument, as well sources used by Editorial guidelines in peer- academics and their societies to over the summer thanks to the RSB’s outreach groups, plus information about local events.
commercial instrument firms. as substantial help with instrument academic researchers reviewed journals have helped tackle proactively disclose information team. In addition to appearances at Members are also encouraged to join in the
to evaluate scientific
This result helps explain the calibration and data interpretation. instruments. https://
the non-disclosure challenge in other about assistance, and readers to Glastonbury Festival, Green Man Festival and #iamabiologist social media campaign on
reported behaviour of instrument The researcher intends to publish bit.ly/2IWlQ1T industries (in particular in medical demand transparency. the Lambeth Country Show in recent years, Friday 12th October.
6 / The Biologist / Vol 65 No 4 Vol 65 No 4 / The Biologist / 7
POLICYANALYSIS
POLICYNEWS
SCIENCE AND GOVERNMENT Helen Currie MRSB Policy intern at the RSB
Life Sciences Council
focus must be broader
The Society has welcomed the first meeting
of the Government’s Life Sciences Council, Rethinking investment
in research
but stressed the need for representation for
more sectors, such as plant science.
The Council is chaired by business
secretary Greg Clark and health and social
care secretary Jeremy Hunt, and features
a range of research and industry leaders,
including Professor Jackie Hunter, CEO
Understanding those impacts of R&D that are hardest to quantify
of BenevolentAI and RSB trustee. is key to generating investment in science that benefits all
RSB chief executive Mark Downs said
R
the health-focused sector of the life
Labour’s Chi Onwurah at
sciences was a “huge area of scientific and elative to other OECD
Parliamentary Links Day
industrial strength” in the UK but that “we countries, the UK is
underinvesting in research
must not lose sight of the breadth of talent, Initiative, a partnership between the RSB, and development (R&D).
BREXIT WATCH capability and economic impact for the UK
across the life sciences sector as a whole”.
the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the
British Ecological Society and the James
The Government plans to
raise spending to around 2.4% of
New scheme for Hutton Institute. GDP by 2027, but world-leading
overseas researchers The paper describes a conceptual basis research nations such as Japan,
The Government has announced a new
EU could legislate to boost for defining and assessing a network of Germany and the US are already at or
scheme, to be operated by UKRI, to gender equality in STEM wildlife areas, following the announcement approaching 3%.
allow non-EEA researchers, scientists of the Government’s ambition to create A recent research paper produced
and academics to come to the UK for The EU’s research commissioner has said 500,000 hectares of wildlife habitat. The by the Department for Business,
up to two years. the EU might need to introduce more rules paper can be found at bit.ly/NCI_resilient Energy & Industrial Strategy (‘Non-
Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes and new funding strategies to ensure market impacts of investment in
announced that UKRI, alongside 12 women get equal opportunities, according PUBLISHING R&D’) provides a refreshing take on
approved research organisations, such to reports. Carlos Moedas told a Politico how spending might be best allocated
as the Natural History Museum, are able event in June that “we have to push harder” African scientists to see the greatest returns from
to directly sponsor highly skilled on gender equality in R&D, and that he launch PrePrint innovation in science and technology.
individuals, such as specialist would support additional legislation. The paper suggests that a focus on
A group of open science campaigners have
technicians, to work and train in the UK. At the RSB’s Parliamentary Links Day in the assessment of ‘non-market create cultural and health benefits). Conserving To capture these societal benefits
launched the first preprint service aimed national parks
The RSB recently responded to the June, Labour’s shadow minister for impacts’ produced by R&D could For example, primarily commercially of R&D appropriately, frameworks
exclusively at African scientists. AfricArxiv such as the
Commons Science and Technology industrial strategy, Chi Onwurah, said her assist scientists, businesses, motivated agricultural technology – should be implemented to enable
is designed to help academics share their Brecon Beacons
Committee inquiry on an immigration party would introduce legislation on policymakers and the public in designed to assist in efficient and has cultural and synthesis of views and expertise from
work quickly and improve the visibility and
system that works for science and gender equality as attempts to increase the identifying where investment would profitable farming – may potentially health benefits a wide community. People from a
accessibility of African science.
innovation. number of women in senior STEM roles be best placed to drive maximum drive wider environmental benefits; range of sectors, disciplines, groups
The Committee is expected to publish over the past decade “are not working”. societal benefit. ‘Non-market impacts’ or sustainable management practices and communities must have routes to
FUNDING
a ‘blueprint’ shortly for a new post- may be a dry, vague term, but it might lead to more efficiently feed advice and expertise into policy
Brexit immigration system that enables ‘Evidence Week’ launched £11.6m announced for describes the important outcomes, targeted or reduced use of chemicals, development, implementation and
high-quality scientists and students to innovation partnerships goods or services which may have a profiting soil and pollinator health, analysis of the market and non-
come to the UK. June saw the launch of the first Evidence value to society in some way but and reducing both water pollution market impacts of R&D.
Week, an initiative by the campaign group The Scottish Government is increasing its cannot be directly bought or sold. and energy consumption. Research Given the impending EU exit and
RSB warns House of Sense about Science. grant funding for university research and Non-market impacts resulting from itself is a public good, although the associated unprecedented legal
The week of events and briefings innovation by £11.6m in 2018/19, bringing R&D can be broadly categorised into potential range of subsequent challenges, it is imperative that
Lords on biosecurity explored how parliamentarians seek and the total to £296.2m. The extra support is several key areas including: clean and outcomes from research or data sets policymakers understand the full
An appropriately resourced and skilled scrutinise evidence, and the role of services intended to strengthen the competitiveness flexible energy; agriculture; social can be large, and sometimes extent of market and non-market
biosecurity workforce is essential to such as the House of Commons Library. of universities and their industry partners sciences; and healthcare and unintended or unquantifiable. impacts. Balanced strategies are key
maintain the health of plants and animals Writing in The Guardian, Sense about when bidding for UK-wide funding pots. medicines. These categories are well The problem here of course is that in policymaking, to ensure those non-
in the UK post-Brexit, the RSB has told a Science’s Tracey Brown highlighted aligned with the foundations and public goods, such as clean air, cannot market impacts that are hard to value
QUALIFICATIONS
Lords consultation. instances of exemplary evidence-based ‘Grand Challenges’ identified within necessarily be supplied to society for financially (improved biodiversity, for
Responding to the House of Lords sub- decision-making and said a greater use of Briefing published ahead the UK’s Industrial Strategy, and a direct financial profit – making example) are given proportionate
committee inquiry on plant and animal evidence in policy would be a “national of T-level roll-out encompass fields of interest across them hard to categorise and measure weighting to those which are not.
biosecurity in light of Brexit, the Society victory”. a range of the biosciences not within a market system based on Deal or no deal, the UK must remain
highlighted the complex expertise
Xyyyyyyy The RSB has published a policy briefing currently given weight within the financial exchanges. Despite this, at the forefront of R&D, acting as
required to rapidly counter the threat of ENVIRONMENT paper explaining the Government’s Government’s life science sector deal. factoring non-market impacts into world leaders in tackling global
invasive species, plant diseases and Workshop leads to new T-levels, with roll out expected to Such impacts can come in the form policymaking processes provides a challenges including sustainable
unsafe food, especially at the UK border. begin in 2020. of ecosystem services and/or public useful method to capture the value development and climate change. A
The response highlighted the need for paper on ecology policy The new two-year technical programmes goods, including clean air (which and benefit society derives from Research rethink in investment strategy could
maintained cooperation between the UK A policy paper on a new direction for have been designed with employers to help holds health benefits); clean rivers science and technology – failure to do ultimately help boost the UK’s
and EU regulatory agencies, reference conservation in England has been students get a skilled job. Two are science with biodiverse wildlife populations so poses the risk of underinvestment
itself is growth in research and innovation by
networks and laboratories. published in the Journal of Applied Ecology based: Health & Science, and Agriculture, (including fish stocks); or in endeavours that hold real benefits a public making the most of what our
following work by the Natural Capital Environment & Animal Care. conservation of national parks (which for society. good resources have to offer.
8 / The Biologist / Vol 65 No 4 Vol 65 No 4 / The Biologist / 9
ART & SCIENCE
Art imitating
Mark Witton is a freelance artist and author are old-school palaeoart by artists such as Charles
specialising in pterosaurs, and holds an honorary “Few other Knight and Zdeněk Burian. They excelled at evoking
position at the University of Portsmouth. His book scale, atmosphere and mood, and I think this is
outlining the science behind palaeoart will be
sciences can sometimes lost in modern palaeoart. They weren’t
boast such a
ancient life
published later this year. afraid of hiding their animals in shadow, of
visually splendid surrendering an intricate animal colour scheme
I’m a palaeontologist by training and sort of fell record of their to the hues of a dramatic lighting setup.
into professional palaeoart. I’ve always drawn
prehistoric animals as a hobby and when studying for
history” Paleoartists must invest time in the research side
Mark Witton
my PhD, I started producing palaeoart for my of their work. As a science-led discipline, palaeoart is
colleague’s research PR. I still do peer-reviewed judged by the credibility of artwork as well as artistic
‘Palaeoart’ is the term given to the striking research and am probably one of the more vocal execution. Research is also the best way to bring
and often controversial depictions of individuals in the current palaeoart crop, regularly originality to your work – find your own inspiration in
ancient creatures and ecosystems. writing about palaeoart theory, methods and culture the books, papers and specimens that haven’t been
for my blog, online magazines and journals. pored over by the rest of us.
We spoke to six palaeoartists about how
they reconstruct ancient scenes and ask I’m self-trained and work entirely digitally. Palaeoart is not a career you can do half-
It’s an ideal medium for palaeoart, as it’s much easier heartedly. The palaeoart community is very friendly
what a career as a palaeoartist is like to update images with new data and you can easily and welcoming, but it’s also crowded, so there’s a lot of
correct mistakes. competition for work. Paying gigs are scarce and often
underpaid, especially at early career stages. There are
Few sciences have a related artform as probably just a handful of people working as full-time
PR-friendly as palaeontology. It’s a great way to get palaeoartists around the world – the rest support their
the general public interested in prehistoric life, and work through other means, be that other freelance
from there, into science generally. It’s also a terrific artistry or part-time careers in other professions.
way to convert information in technical papers to a Left: Dimetrodon by Mark
format that everyone can understand, and translates Witton. The distinctive sail Elisabeth Daynès is a palaeoartist and sculptor
across barriers of language and age. on its back is formed by who creates minutely detailed reconstructions of
spines extending from hominids, early man and historical figures. Her
its vertebrae
Another important function of palaeoart is as an work is exhibited in museums around the world.
illustrated history of palaeontological science. It’s Below: Femme de Cap Blanc
easy to look at the history of palaeoart with a cynical, – Elisabeth Daynès’ The reconstruction methodology is always
dismissive edge because the science it’s based on is reconstruction of the the same. There is a meeting between the artist
now consigned to history. However, what we’re looking Magdalenian Girl discovered and the scientists. From the fossil evidence and
in Dordogne, France
at is a visualisation of evolving palaeontological according to the same principles of a forensic
understanding. Few other sciences can boast such investigation, I set up an identity card for the
a visually splendid record of their history. subject: fossil group, dating, age at death,
Palaeoart is increasingly science-led, and there probable sex, diseases, deficiencies, dietary
are vanishingly few parts of reconstructions that pattern, associated fauna, climate, living
are entirely imagined or speculated. Even conditions, environment, culture and so
colour – that bastion of uncertainty that on. All this data is collected during long
artists and scientists have traditionally discussions with experts, anthropologists,
conceded is beyond our knowledge – is anatomists, palaeopathologists and
now knowable, to some degree, with palaeogeneticists, and will guide
ever more sophisticated techniques of decisions at every step of the
interpreting fossilised pigment reconstruction process.
cells and their relationships to
animal colouration. When reconstructing sapiens, I work
with a forensic expert at the Paris
We do not always have answers Institute of Criminology who uses
to the questions about computer-assisted technology of
appearance, however. facial reconstruction. The
There are a couple of responses reconstitution begins with the
to these data gaps: take them as bones, the preserved parts of the
licence for speculation or go skull, the teeth, the pelvis, the
conservative, taking the closest limbs. The skull is the most
hint of an answer, to keep important piece – then the layers
the work grounded. I think of soft tissues, muscles and deep
there’s room for both dermis, where thickness values are
approaches, as well as provided by the forensic expert.
admitting that we don't
know enough about My goal is to show real people and
©Elisabeth Daynès
some animals to real individuals who lived in
restore them properly. prehistoric times and who
Some of my are not mere
favourite images prejudiced schemas
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ART & SCIENCE
asked for one of my dinosaur drawings for a book. great depth in your work. I would gently caution
That experience motivated me to seek more paying “The Triassic is against pursuing a career in palaeoart exclusively,
work and to hone my skills to exhaustion while since the demand for such work is relatively low and
completing my degree.
fun and intriguing difficult to sustain. However, it can easily be a lucrative
to me because and enjoyable part of a broader illustration or
Science writers and natural illustrators have a so many truly wildlife artwork career.
unique responsibility because these renditions are bizarre-looking
often what shape the public’s perceptions of what Gabriel Ugueto is a freelance scientific
these animals were actually like. We are, in a sense,
taxa appeared illustrator and palaeoartist specialising in
bringing the bones back to life, but we must do so with during that illustrations of tetrapods.
care and respect. Through art, the public can come to period”
know these dinosaurs as they were – not as movie Gabriel Ugueto I studied graphic design and illustration, but I grew
monsters or mysterious creatures, but as real animals, up loving reptiles and amphibians, and for a long time
full of beauty and life. I worked as a herpetologist researcher and authored
numerous papers, including the descriptions of
Deinonychus, the North American wolf-sized several new species of neotropical lizards.
dromaeosaur, was first described by John Ostrom in
the 1960s and is largely responsible for the deepening My work reflects the latest scientific
understanding that dinosaurs were active, complex hypotheses about both the external appearance
animals rather than tail-dragging behemoths. As far as and the behaviour an animal could have had. In the
I’m concerned, Deinonychus might well be the most absence of known details, I use what is known about
beautiful animal that ever lived. Its proportions were the environment the animal lived in along with what
built not for speed but for power, and it may have we know about modern-day analogues to add details
occupied a similar niche to today’s big cats. I never get that most likely represent what the animal appeared
tired of drawing dromaeosaurs and Deinonychus has and how it behaved.
always been my favourite. Below: Deinocheirus by
Gabriel Ugueto. The large
Palaeoart helps people understand each new
omnivore lived around 70
If you are considering a career in palaeoart, millions years ago in the fossil discovery, while making connections to Earth’s
concentrate on achieving either great breadth or Late Cretaceous period past life forms and environments. It is vital for an
and discriminatory stereotypes. This work of Emily Willoughby is a freelance illustrator who
individualisation is above all a work on faces, “Through art, the specialises primarily in feathered dinosaurs. She
expressions and looks, where the starting point is also completing a PhD in behavourial genetics.
is the skull.
public can come
to know these Before the invention of photography, artwork was
Precision and detail are essential to restore the dinosaurs as the only visual method available to bring the
dignity of the individuals, to arouse fragility and they were” natural world to the public. Today, palaeontology is
empathy, but also to be sensitive to the lost variety Emily Willoughby unique among the natural sciences in that there is no
of the human family. other method to capture the reality of its subjects. Like
the subjects we study, the methods of palaeontological
I want to create emotion through an reconstruction are old: we must paint, sculpt and draw
extraordinary face to face. It is emotion that to bring these animals to life.
can overcome prejudices, whatever they are, and
only an extreme attention to detail allows this. My favourite type of work is illustrating newly
Neanderthal, my favourite, is no longer a described genera or behaviours for researchers,
discriminated brutal stereotype. especially if it’s a new taxon with some unique
feature. I also do jobs for museums, and contribute
My work is at the border of art and science, and to books about dinosaurs, birds and illustration. I
nothing would have been possible without privileged have also done projects for magazines and television
exchanges, meetings and collaboration with the segments, and occasionally more unusual work such
international scientific community. as tattoo design, band art and even a children’s game.
I also work on a contemporary art project called I’m generally happy to illustrate anything with
‘the truth of faces’. In my works, I reflect and explore feathers, including modern birds, but my heart lives
a world of hyper-technology and virtual reality, and a Above: A Caudipteryx in Dromaeosauridae – Deinonychus, Velociraptor
time marked by man’s obsessive quest for physical with chicks by Emily and their relatives.
perfection and eternal youth. Boundaries between the Willoughby. The genus
is central to the
real and the virtual, and between the artificial and the debate around the
I got into professional palaeoart almost by
natural, are blurred. What will it mean to be human in relationship between accident while completing my undergraduate
20 centuries? birds and dinosaurs degree in biology. I was contacted by Scholastic and
12 / The Biologist / Vol 65 No 4 Vol 65 No 4 / The Biologist / 13
ART & SCIENCE
illustrator to accurately depict an extinct animal. each other: even though they might seem unrelated,
Otherwise, the public is misled. “I want my work there are still shapes and patterns that are repeated
from organism to organism.
Bones can tell us more than people think about
to disappear. It is
the external appearance of an animal. Ideally, I the animal that I formulated a dual degree in biology and art at
prefer to examine the fossils in person. If this is not should be front Hastings College, which also included internships
possible, I accumulate as much information as I can by and centre” at the Smithsonian Institution and the British Museum
examining photos, reading descriptions and talking to of Natural History. My clients are primarily natural
Gary Staab
palaeontologists who specialise in that taxon. history museums, but I also create some work for
Unfortunately, most of the time fossils are incomplete zoos, nature centres and documentaries.
or severely damaged, which is one of the biggest
challenges of my work. To get around the myriad Since we primates have such a poor ability to
problems related to these challenges, I can model conceptualise large spans of time, art is one of the
missing or damaged bones by comparing them to only ways we can see past worlds with any clarity.
related species from which samples are available.
Blending realism, accuracy and drama is one of
For me, it’s all about the Mesozoic Era, which the greatest challenges. If the composition or design
includes the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. of the sculpture or image does not elicit a reaction,
Particularly, the Triassic is fun and intriguing to me that may be a sign that it should be changed or
because so many truly bizarre-looking taxa appeared executed in a different way. It needs to work on
during that period. both levels of science and art.
To be a palaeoartist, first and foremost you have to If I have done my job correctly, you will only
be a well-rounded illustrator both in traditional and see the animal for what it is and not the mark of the
digital media; you have to be a good animal illustrator. artist who created it. With my sculpture, I want my
It is important to be very familiar with the anatomy of Below: Prehistoric work to disappear. It is the animal that should be
extant animals and be able to read a lot of scientific cephalopods front and centre.
papers and keep up with current research. Be prepared by Gary Staab
to read a lot – you must be a lifetime learner. When there are gaps of knowledge, we look to
the next best anatomical proxy, living or extinct,
Gary Staab has been a freelance sculptor since to fill in the missing bits. I have done a lot of
1996, having worked at the Denver Museum of dissection work to back up the soft tissue
Nature and Science for seven years. He has reconstructions that I have done.
been doing palaeoart since he was 19.
For me, the most interesting palaeo
I often say I specialise in being a subjects are the animals that have
generalist. I get to work on an extraordinary not been fleshed out before. If you
diversity of subjects, from the first are lucky enough to work on a
invertebrates through early reptiles, new species, you will be creating Jenn Hall works at the Carter County Museum My projects include anything from scientific
primitive mammals, dinosaurs and the first look of that animal for in Ekalaka, Montana, and runs her own freelance “It’s important illustration to graphic design to taxidermy, typically
hominids. All these forms complement people to see. visual didactics business, Hell Creek Studio. for palaeontologists/geologists and museums. I don’t
not to run away specialise in any particular species or organism, but
I majored in printmaking and ended up getting a with an idea due to my background and work at the Carter County
minor in geology, which is how I got into palaeoart. because it looks Museum (Montana’s first dinosaur museum), I end up
cool or fierce” doing a lot of dinosaur-themed work.
Working closely with scientists and curators is
Jenn Hall
essential to creating an accurate and believable image, I’m a sucker for Cambrian fauna. I find those wild,
and requires an iterative approach in which the image alien creatures captivating and enjoy visually imagining
changes and has to remain versatile during draft interactions between organisms and the individual
stages. Especially when there are multiple co-authors events that changed DNA and pushed evolution
or collaborators on a project, the back-and-forth can be forward. That said, I love doing fieldwork in Hell Creek
quite extensive. and coming across Cretaceous fossils. We have the KT
boundary here in Montana [the band of sediment dated
When encountering knowledge gaps, the to 65 million years ago, when dinosaurs died out], and
collaboration has to continue to ensure that artistic when picturing individual events that’s a biggie.
decisions are believable. It’s important not to run away
with an idea because it looks cool or fierce, but to really Palaeoart is full of artists with different styles and
consider why and how an animal would have appeared, specialisations, so there are a lot of inroads for those
which can be determined by considering ecological who are passionate. Being versatile and picking up
factors or bracket species. skills that complement your art can help develop your
career, as well as distinguish you from others in the
That isn’t to say that purely artistic decisions can’t field. Most palaeoartists have a related career that
or shouldn’t be made – on the contrary, the most Above: Pterosaurs supports their work, and makes them more marketable,
by Jenn Hall. The flying
compelling and striking images are those by artists who reptiles are the earliest whether in research, education or museum work. Also,
have a very distinct style with dynamic compositions vertebrates known to have get good at collaborating: working with and for others
and beautiful considerations of light and atmosphere. evolved powered flight to communicate their message is what the job is about.
14 / The Biologist / Vol 65 No 4 Vol 65 No 4 / The Biologist / 15
INTERVIEW
‘There is As part of the BBC
series Galapagos,
Liz Bonnin joined
various research teams
no time
to help protect the
islands and their
inhabitants
to waste’
TV science presenter Liz Bonnin talks
to Tom Ireland about her love of
biochemistry and big cats, and how
she hopes her new documentary will
help tackle plastic pollution
L
iz Bonnin was born in Paris before moving “Our mission is to
to Ireland as a child. After studying make viewers feel
biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin, a the way I’m
whirlwind showbiz career led to her
presenting UK breakfast television and Top of feeling as I’m
the Pops in the early 2000s. However, she decided to doing this,
return to her true passion, life sciences, completing a which is really
master’s in wildlife biology at the Zoological Society of motivated to step
London and the Royal Veterinary College. Returning
to TV on the award-winning show Bang Goes the up and take
Theory, Bonnin has gone on to become a much-loved responsibility
wildlife and science broadcaster, fronting programmes for my planet”
including Horizon, Stargazing Live and Springwatch,
and presenting live from nature reserves in California
and Alaska. Her latest project is a film for the BBC on
plastic pollution, due to be shown in the autumn.
Your new film is about plastic pollution,
a huge and terrifying issue right now.
Presumably you’ve seen first hand the impact
of discarded plastic when filming at various
locations around the world?
That’s right. I’ve filmed from many places and been
privy to some pretty depressing realities about the
state of local ecosystems, but this plastic project has
been so much more difficult to film because it’s just a
different ball game in terms of how bad it is and how
visible it is. Everything we are filming is completely
surpassing my expectations, and not in a good way.
As well as highlighting the awful scale of the
problem, it sounds like the programme will be
looking at some of the research and innovation
that may help us find solutions.
Atlantic Productions
Always one of my main remits is to celebrate the
scientists working tirelessly to find a solution. They
are the heroes and it’s very humbling to watch what
they are doing. As programme makers, we are aware
that television storytelling of this ilk has to evolve,
16 / The Biologist / Vol 65 No 4 Vol 65 No 4 / The Biologist / 17INTERVIEW
because there is no time to waste any more. It’s never Tell me about your fascination with cats and away from the programme, about the idea of
wagging the finger, but we want to empower the your most memorable big-cat experience. “The idea of keeping animals in captivity to help conserve
viewer about what they can do, which is new and There’s something about domestic cats I was obsessed critically endangered species?
trying to set
exciting. So there is a lot of fire in bellies at the with as a kid. I think it’s because they have retained a I consider myself a member of the zoo community and
moment. Our mission is to make them feel the way lot of their wild traits and they aren’t as domesticated aside wild spaces I wanted to take a long, hard look at the science of
I’m feeling as I’m doing this, which is really motivated as dogs – you can never quite figure them out. for animals with how animals are faring [in zoo settings]. We know so
to step up and take responsibility for my planet. It goes When I was still working in entertainment ranges as much more about how sentient and intelligent some
far beyond giving up straws and using your reusable television, I did a programme for RTE where I went to animals are, and what those with large ranges need
large as tigers
coffee cup. Pench National Park in India. To this day, I think that and what captivity does to them. Then you have to
is the most special big-cat experience I’ve had. We met need doesn’t weigh up the argument that zoos could be some kind
Even for people who are aware of the problem, a tigress who was fairly tolerant of people and allowed seem realistic of repository for a species should they go extinct in the
it’s so hard not to end up with a trolley full of us to follow her through her territory for about four any more” wild. For me, it’s as simple as that – do we have the
plastic every time you go shopping. Do you hours, which is so rare, and she stole my heart. So I right to keep an animal in captivity even if it is a safety
think governments and industry should do knew I would go back to work in conservation and I net, when we know how harmful it is for these species?
more, rather than asking individuals to try to would do whatever it took to work with tigers again. The science is telling us it is our responsibility in the
avoid this ubiquitous material? zoo community to evolve and make tough decisions. I
Undeniably. I’m halfway through filming and What is the current situation in terms came away feeling strongly that big animals such as
absolutely that is where the things need to change. of efforts to conserve wild tigers? elephants, carnivores with big ranges and apes
I think we all know that, ultimately, with conservation Unfortunately, the challenges are the same as ever: our shouldn’t be kept in captivity. I do not think that if all
issues across the board, that’s where the buck stops. burgeoning human population means tiger habitat tigers go extinct in the wild, it is worth keeping them in
Below: Bonnin joins experts
That’s the bit that is difficult to negotiate and and key wildlife corridors are being lost. I did get news in a submersible to search captivity. They are not suitable for release in the wild
communicate in a way that is not too political. from the researchers who helped us with Operation for the elusive mola, or after just a few generations and if we can’t secure their
Snow Tiger that numbers are slightly up in that sunfish, in the seas around habitat now, why would we in the future?
Where did your love of science and subspecies in the far east of Russia. But we mustn’t be the Galapagos However I came away hopeful about how zoos
nature develop? complacent about a few individuals doing well. Tigers could evolve. Twycross Zoo in the UK, Detroit Zoo
I was lucky enough to grow up spending lots of time are critically endangered and it’s a really sad state of and others are trying to do the right thing –
outdoors. We had a little wood next to our house in the affairs. Sometimes I do speak to taking a long hard look at what animals
south of France, and I spent a lot of time in the sea as conservationists who say it’s too late: that’s need and have even let go of some of
a toddler on trips to the Caribbean. My sister and the reality. I don’t know what the answer their larger animals. I think part
I used to have adventures with our two dogs, and is. The idea of trying to set aside wild of the solution is for zoos to
hedgehogs, snakes and spiders. spaces for animals with ranges as create small ecosystems that
large as tigers need doesn’t seem showcase insects, plants and
What led you to study biochemistry? realistic any more. We need to maybe even small mammals
Presumably you did not have your sights find ways to live alongside that do well in captivity.
set on a career in television then? them, which is very difficult Showing how everything is
I was fascinated to know how living things worked when they don’t have enough interconnected in this way
down to the chemical equations. How do things see? prey and start to encroach on has more educational
How do I see? I loved biology and chemistry at school. people’s land and animals. value for visitors than a
I’m always at pains to tell children at school not to large animal pacing back
put too much pressure on themselves to decide exactly Above: Bonnin with a ‘eureka’ moment on a mountain in South America – You reported on zoos and forth in an enclosure.
what they want to do. I loved my degree, but towards elephants in Botswana I’m sorry, that sounds like a cliché, but it’s true. I for a Horizon Detroit let go of its
the end I knew it wasn’t quite what I wanted to thought “I’m going to go back and study wildlife documentary in 2016. elephants and visitorship
continue doing. It wasn’t that I wished I’d done a conservation.” I was accepted on the master’s course, How did you feel, coming is on the increase.
different degree, but I thought that the next bit of my and when it started I began to wonder if I could work in
journey would be in conservation and wildlife. conservation but somehow use the creative storytelling
skills from television, which I’d grown to love.
The next stage of your career got quite crazy I looked up the agent of my favourite wildlife
quite quickly. You ended up presenting the presenters and told them I was in the middle of my Favourite location you’ve filmed in? Which science broadcasters
IRMAs (Irish music awards) ‘by chance’. master’s and that my showreel was all entertainment do you admire?
What happened? shows. I guess timing is everything, because just as
Well, I was singing in a sort of girl band at the time… I finished my master’s, Bang Goes the Theory was
Dublin’s very small and the person producing the auditioning and I haven’t looked back since.
IRMA awards didn’t want a presenter to present them
– they wanted to do something a bit different. I tried What did you learn during your master’s?
out for it and got the job, and that led to other jobs and “I came away It was a seminal moment for me. I dug my heels in
then [Channel 4 breakfast TV show] RI:SE in the UK feeling very and insisted on going to Nepal to do a study on tigers’
and then Top of the Pops. It was just this crazy strongly that diets. It wasn’t working out, to the point where my
adventure and I never expected it to last too long. supervisor and best friends even said: “Liz, you’ve What other scientific areas
I just rolled with it.
big animals such got to let it go” I ended up in tears in a hotel in interest you?
as elephants, Kathmandu – none of the equipment I needed had got Are there any scientists or
You then did a MSc in wildlife biology with the carnivores with out there, I was struggling to contact the local researchers who you particularly
Atlantic Productions
Zoological Society of London and the Royal big ranges and scientists and I really thought I would fail the course. admire?
Veterinary College. What made you turn your Eventually, I made it to the Bardia National Park,
apes shouldn’t
Toby Strong
back on showbiz to return to university? carried out my research project and in the end came
There was a point where I wasn’t really enjoying myself be kept in first in my class. It was a really important life lesson
any more and missed academia. I took a break and had captivity” about working hard.
18 / The Biologist / Vol 65 No 4 Vol 65 No 4 / The Biologist / 19You can also read
