Theory Structure and Scientific Change in Molecular Biology

沙夫纳教授正在研究分子生物学的理论结构和研究策略。为了对这些问题发展出一种更普遍的方法，他首先进行了三个详细的案例研究：最近对抗体多样性产生的分子解释的历史调查；简单分子学习机制；以及对HIV病毒生命周期的遗传控制。这些案例研究的目的是导致理论结构和研究策略在分子生物学更广泛的概念化。这种概念化应该包括对分子生物学中理论、模型、机制、原理和概括的概念结构的检查，以及它们与实验结果和新实验技术的关系。沙夫纳教授随后考虑这些要素（如理论、模型、原理等）随着科学的进步而变化的方式，以及驱动这些变化的动力因素。作为这项研究的一部分，他正在研究各种启发式理论和模型的变化，以及实验室实验的建议和评估。

Professor Schaffner is examining theory structure and research strategies in molecular biology. In order to develop a more general approach to these issues, he is first undertaking three detailed case studies: a recent historical inquiry into the molecular explanation of the generation of antibody diversity; simple molecular learning mechanisms in Aplysia; and the genetic control of the life cycle of the HIV virus. These case studies are intended to lead to a broader conceptualization of theory structure and research strategies in molecular biology. This conceptualization should include an examination of the conceptual structure of theories, models, mechanisms, principles, and generalizations in molecular biology, and their relations to experimental results and new experimental technologies. Professor Schaffner is then considering ways in which these elements (e.g. theories, models, principles . . .) change as science progresses, and what dynamical factors drive such changes. As part of this study, he is examining various heuristics for theory and model changes and the proposal and evaluation of laboratory experiments.