Keynote Essay 6: Molecular Research Case Study: Developing Novel RNA Interference-based Therapy

Summary

THE VALUE OF ACADEMIC RESEARCH

Research can be defined as the process of discovery and creation of new knowledge. A vital role for universities is to carry out research, and success in this activity is a good gauge of the well-being of these academic institutions. All leading universities of the world (such as Harvard, Cambridge and Oxford universities) have a strong commitment to supporting research, and this is the foundation of their good reputations. Research is vital to any society and positive outcomes go way beyond the direct practical application of new discoveries. By nurturing creativity, critical thinking, open-mindedness and enquiry, research has the broad benefits of building a strong democratic ethic in society. Today we refer to the importance of the ‘knowledge based economy’ where societies become more reliant on creation and exploitation of new knowledge to understand and overcome economic and political challenges. An active research community allows countries to benefit directly from new developments of the twenty first century and to participate in developing a knowledge-based economy. The benefits of an active research environment can have both direct and indirect effects on society. Some of these benefits are listed below.

• Improved training of students. An often under-appreciated role of research is that it is beneficial to teaching in universities. By and large, research activities are supportive of university educational programmes, and teachers who are immersed in active research generally make better instructors. Research leads to more meaningful insight into a subject, and educators pass this benefit on to students through better teaching. High-level training of students that is not based on a foundation of academic research risks becoming stale and outmoded.

• Promoting innovation for patient care. Insights gained from research on medical challenges contribute significantly to understanding and overcoming patient problems, which collectively makes for better patient management and care.

• Broadening the knowledge base for the good of humanity. Some of the most significant breakthroughs in technology have come from unlikely research contributions. Research does not always produce immediately obvious practical benefits, and it is often only after several years that the utility of research becomes apparent.