“We have a technological revolution. Now we need a scientific revolution.”

2019/06/01 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Elkarrizketak
• Biokimika
• Ikerketa-zentroak
• Unibertsitateak

Sequences of the human genome, but also of other species, which has meant a very interesting evolution at the molecular level. The human genome opens many doors, such as conducting molecular diagnoses or knowledge of mutations associated with certain proteins. In short, it will allow us to advance in the direction of personalized medicine.

This is associated with advances in genetic editing techniques. They need to be sure, but I have no doubt that this will come. That is, we will be able to correct the errors of the genome without other changes.

Of course, many diseases do not have a single agent, that is, they have more than one target. But, despite its complexity, we have begun to be molecular tools to understand pathologies well and develop appropriate treatments.

For me, the greatest achievement would be to integrate all the information. At present we are fascinated by the new techniques that give us terrible information: molecular biology, new materials… But we need to integrate all that information. This is an interdisciplinary work that will bring news.

Somehow, it is more of a technological revolution than a scientific one. And to be a scientific revolution, experts from all disciplines must come together without haste, not to do anything, but to think. It is true that we want results, but we have to overcome it to reach another level. For example, to make new and powerful pharmaceuticals accessible to the general public. The same for materials, energy, food production… to be sustainable. This will come from integration and there are already examples like the Brain project.