Tale of Two Mao Genes

Marsha Kinder, Jean Shih Project to be Released in China

The Chinese version of A Tale of Two MAO Genes, an interactive multimedia educational software for popularizing science, will be officially released on July 7 at the Tsinghua University of Beijing. This science education project grows out of a unique collaboration between Jean Chen Shih, professor of molecular biology in the University of Southern California schools of pharmacy and medicine, and Marsha Kinder, professor of critical studies in the USC School of Cinematic Arts and director of The Labyrinth Project, a USC research initiative on database documentaries and digital scholarship that has produced award-winning installations, DVD-ROMs and Web sites. Each was named a USC University Professor for her innovative interdisciplinary research, the only two women at USC to receive this honor. With the help of Labyrinth media artists Kristy H.A. Kang and Rosemary Comella and talented students from the School of Cinematic Arts John C. Hench Division of Animation & Digital Arts, Shih and Kinder have taken an important step in combining science and art to make biology accessible and exciting.

This interactive project focuses on Shih's 30 years of pioneering molecular research on a crucial pair of brain enzymes, known as the MAO A and MAO B genes (monoamine oxidase) that help control aggression and anxiety in mice and men. Her work has provided the first tangible evidence for a biological basis of aggressive behavior. Besides addressing the latest advances in molecular biology and in the human genome project, this multimedia presentation also treats the interplay between biology and culture and ethical questions in science (concerning stem cell research and cloning, the use of laboratory animals, and unequal access to drugs and treatment). By documenting the exciting discoveries of Shih and her colleagues, this project also encourages youngsters to choose science as a career.

The Beijing Association of Sustainable Development (BASD) is sponsoring the release ceremony, where BASD President Zhao Yan will introduce the origin and the process of A Tale of Two MAO Genes. Zhao said that "Last year, the delegation of the Beijing Municipal Committee of Science and Technology went to visit the University of Southern California, where the delegation found that the English version production of A Tale of Two MAO Genes was nearing completion, and the whole staff were all greatly interested in the way it drew on visual language and 3D animation to explain difficult scientific concepts. Through the exchange, the delegation enriched the ideas on scientific communication and decided to introduce A Tale of Two MAO Genes, with a view to start the first step, so that Chinese new media artists can participate in science education and communication to promote the close integration between China's scientific research and popularization. With the support of the Beijing Municipal Committee of Science and Technology and the efforts of all parties, the Chinese version of A Tale of Two MAO Genes eventually was successfully publicized."

The Chinese version release of A Tale of Two MAO Genes opens a new possible path for China's scientific exploration. The transfer of scientific research to science popularization is an important part of science communication, which cannot be separated from the support of the arts. Here, the reunion of science and art creates a broad educational space for science communication. The Sino-US cooperation shows that science communication can span not only national boundaries but also academic disciplines.

The Beijing Association of Sustainable Development is a non-profit organization aiming at promoting the sustainable development of Beijing. It seeks to provide professional advice for sustainable development policy; undertake energy and environment reconstruction and improvement projects; supply science and technology consultation and services in energy conservation and the environment; and hold science popularization and public welfare promotion activities.

Associated Person:

Marsha Kinder