How can physical scientists contribute to biomedical applications and healthcare? This is the question addressed in the October editorial of Nature Materials (7, 757; 2008). In this issue of the journal are two articles exploring the motivations for some physical scientists to move away from their original research field and use their background to contribute to the development of biomedical applications, as well as the reasons why some companies traditionally operating in the consumer electronics sector expand into healthcare (1,2).
From the editorial:
All in all, the rationale for industry and academia to focus on biomedical applications and healthcare is obvious. These types of transitions are aided by the worldwide trend of funding multidisciplinary programmes aimed at solving current societal needs. For example, the Cooperation programme of the European Union FP7 includes health, energy, environment — and therefore climate change — and security among its thematic areas. The United Kingdom has recently seen the start of cross-council programmes for funding multidisciplinary collaborations. After the recent restructuring of the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council), one of its four mission programmes is Towards Next-Generation Healthcare, which is included as part of a cross-council collaboration on Lifelong Health and Wellbeing.
There is no doubt that scientific research should reflect the changes and needs of our society. But we agree with Younan Xia’s warning concerning the concentration of resources on applicative projects — not only those associated with health — if this means decreasing the possibility of performing fundamental studies. For many scientists working in industry the changes in research programmes imposed by their company may be a positive challenge. But such decisions inevitably produce dissatisfaction in others. More generally, it should be recognized that most successful technological innovations originate from fundamental studies. For example, magnetic resonance imaging stems from nuclear magnetic resonance, which was developed for studying the structures of molecules at the atomic scale. In the long run, reducing funding for this type of research will inevitably also affect applications.
1. Nature Mater. 7, 761–762.
2. Xia, Y. Nature Mater. 7, 758–760.