The winner of the TESTIS-OVARY LIMERICK COMPETITION were announced in mini-AIR 2004-08. The winner in some sense explored the research report:
The ERK MAP Kinase Cascade Mediates Tail Swelling and a Protective Response to Rectal Infection in C. elegans,” Hannah R. Nicholas and Jonathan Hodgkin, Current Biology, vol. 14, 2004, pp. 1256-61. The authors report that:
“Among the known pathogens of C. elegans is the bacterium Microbacterium nematophilum, which adheres to the nematode rectum and postanal cuticle, inducing swelling of the underlying hypodermal tissue and causing mild constipation. We find that on infection by M. nematophilum, an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade mediates tail swelling and protects C. elegans from severe constipation, which would otherwise arrest development and cause sterility.”
Here some runners up:
INVESTIGATOR VERONICA MICHAELSEN:
This abstract denies all androgyny
While debating gonadal homogeny.
All differences aside,
One truth must abide:
You need both to generate progeny.
INVESTIGATOR STUART BARROW:
Short gives us words to the wise
for beasts of each shape and each size.
It now seems so clear:
The Mitochondria
Are why humans dangle their Ys.
INVESTIGATOR ELENA LONERGAN:
If the testis and ovary thwart
Your attempts to examine and sort;
And you find you’re confused
About how they are used,
Simply speak to the wise R.V. Short.
INVESTIGATOR HEATHER HEWITT:
A researcher called R.V. Short
Wrote this breakthrough gonad report.
The differences? Note ?em:
One?s found in a scrotum,
The other is further up norte.
INVESTIGATOR SCOTT DE BRESTIAN:
Ovarium testisque sunt
Dissimilis et differunt.
Ad inguenem ictus?
Mulier est invictus!
At viri nimis sentiunt.