RING

Scientists are really smart. They've figured out how cells reproduce. They've found out what specific proteins transcribe DNA. They've sequenced the human genome. They've sequenced an individual's genome. They've figured out that Ras, when activated by GTP will activate a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) 3 kinase or Raf by phosphorylating it. The active Ras in turn will phosphorylate a MAP 2 kinase (MEK) which will phosphorylate a MAPK (ERK) on both serine and tyrosin residues. ERK will then translocate to the nucleus and phosphorylate the transcription factor ELK after dimerizing. Really, scientists are really smart.

But they're not very creative.

For example, RING. It sounds like it could be some crazy complicated gene like retinal inotrophic neurotransmitting globule gene. I don't know. But no. What it really stands for is:

Really Interesting New Gene.

Seriously. Here's an article taken from the Chemistry and Industry Journal, November 2001:

One of the most interesting genes to raise its hairy head out of the genomial soup is called the Ring gene. It appears to help in helping cells prepare themselves for cold weather. Enquiries about its full name -- after all it's useful to know its proper name and possibly its telephone number with winter fast approaching -- reveals that Ring is only an acronym; it stands for Really Interesting New Gene. Bit of a comedown really. Not many of its characteristics shine through that description, and as for interesting, it really depends on your standards. Compared with President Bush, yes. Meryl Streep? And anyway what about boring old genes? Should they be called BOGs?

Scientists, to the world actually look really cool, in their white lab coats and their jargon that nobody by themselves will understand. Think about how much knowledge is in their heads. But maybe that knowledge has used up all their neurons in their brain and has left none for creativity. What would happen if they found another gene that was even more interesting than this one? What would they call it then? EMITTLGG? Even More Interesting Than The Last Gene Gene? Who knows?

I guess as long as everyone outside the scientific world do not understand what all the acronyms really stand for, they're still cool, if only just a little.