GLOBAL
The 2022 Nobel Prizes in the sciences (physics, chemistry, physiology/medicine and economics), recently awarded, recognise the best in basic research – the kind of research that may seem highly theoretical or esoteric when it is done, often much earlier in the winner’s career, but in most cases has important practical impact over time or leads to major rethinking of science and society as we understand it.
For example, Svante Pääbo, the winner in physiology/medicine, was recognised for sequencing the genome of the Neanderthal, which led to new insights into human evolution and resulted in the establishment of a new discipline – paleogenomics. Understanding the genetics of Neanderthals as the close relatives of Homo sapiens helps us to better understand human physiology today.
John F Clauser, in the physics category, conducted experiments in quantum physics to show how two particles are ‘entangled’ and seem to act as if they were a single unit. In an interview, Clauser made clear that doing this kind of research was not easy – trying to ‘topple’ quantum mechanics – and that his colleagues warned him that he would ruin his career and that it was a waste of time.
Basic research has been much criticised in recent years for being impractical, expensive or ‘blue sky’ thinking. Funders and policy-makers want quick, ‘relevant’ and innovative results – and are increasingly reluctant to pay for more theoretical research.
Top research…
