Incorrect capitalisation! - (Jul/17/2009 )

I would just like to take this opportunity to remind you that noun clusters such as vascular endothelial growth factor should not be capitalised just because they're often used in acronym form!

Many people make the mistake: vascular endothelial growth factor > VEGF > Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor = WRONG!

Won't someone please think of the children?

oH tHaTs sO dEpPrEssIng

While this is technically correct based on English grammar, wherein capitalization should be used for words derived from proper nouns, publications from the Human Genome Organization (HUGO) Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC), the only organisation authorised to
assign approved nomenclature to human genes, show capitalization of abbreviations for numerous gene names. See the pdf link on:
http://precedings.nature.com/documents/3182/version/1
If you take issue, take it up with them, as the rest of us are obliged to follow their lead.

Also, one should remember that standard "English" rules do not always apply to scientific English, nor should English necessarily be the standard for all scientists as many hail from different regions with different grammatical rules.

Dominic on Jul 20 2009, 01:47 PM said:

*giggles*

Dear pedant, it's "capitalization"

GeorgeWolff on Jul 21 2009, 09:06 AM said:

Only with US spelling, I think...

swanny on Jul 20 2009, 05:08 PM said:

Unfortunately UK English is inconsistent with the use of "z" or "s" in words. In this case GeorgeWolff is quite correct, it is spelled with the"z" in both UK and US English.

bob1 on Jul 20 2009, 08:29 PM said:

I had to check my OED for this and it's really interesting how the Brits would spell "capitalize" with a "z" or "s" but would only use z for the noun and the same is true for industrialization, hybridization, symbolization etc. and yet would spell fertilize and fertilization with either a z or s...pretty inconsistent really...and they're supposed to set the standard

GeorgeWolff on Jul 20 2009, 07:06 PM said:

hi George....a perfect example of ad hom , so now you're scaring me.....and you're so right about the spelling so why don't we give him a break, ok?