IntechOpen Program “Rising Stars” - Interview with Prof. Dr. Sir Richard J. Roberts
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2024-07-08に共有
IntechOpen's "Rising Stars" program features conversations with leading experts in various scientific fields. With the aim to inspire and guide the next generation of scientists, these interviews highlight personal stories, share valuable advice, and discuss essential skills for a successful career in science.
Interview Highlights
Richard Roberts discusses the importance of following your passion and loving your work. He shares his career journey from mathematics to chemistry and molecular biology and emphasizes the value of exploring diverse fields. Roberts also discusses overcoming barriers in science, the challenges of the grant process, and the benefits of Open Access in publishing.
About Prof. Dr. Sir Richard J. Roberts
Dr. Richard J. Roberts is the Chief Scientific Officer at New England Biolabs, Ipswich, Massachusetts. He received a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 1968 from Sheffield University and then moved as a postdoctoral fellow to Harvard. From 1972 to 1992, he worked at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, eventually becoming Assistant Director for Research under Dr. J.D. Watson. He began work on the newly discovered Type II restriction enzymes in 1972 and his laboratory discovered more than 70% of the first 100 enzymes described. In 1975 he became the fourth employee of New England Biolabs first as their chief consultant and later moved to the company permanently in 1992. Studies of transcription in Adenovirus-2 led to the discovery of split genes and mRNA splicing in 1977, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1993. During the sequencing of the Adenovirus-2 genome, computational tools became essential and his laboratory pioneered the application of computers in this area. DNA methyltransferases, as components of restriction-modification systems are also of active interest and the first crystal structures for the HhaI methyltransferase led to the discovery of base flipping. Bioinformatic studies of microbial genomes to find new restriction systems are a major research focus as is the elucidation of DNA methyltransferase recognition sequences using SMRT sequencing and a new approach to elucidating m5C-containing recognition sequences. It is now clear that these enzymes do much more than simply protect host DNA from the action of their restriction enzymes. Since winning the Nobel Prize, Dr. Roberts has been involved in organizing a number of Nobel initiatives to correct scientific misunderstandings and promote humanitarian causes. His most recent campaign has been on the issue of GMOs, where 167 Nobel Laureates have supported the use of GMO techniques to improve plant breeding practices that could greatly help the developing world.
Visit the Rising Stars Hub to get inspired: www.intechopen.com/rising-stars
コメント (6)
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Excellent interview and great advice. I totally agree with all you said.
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Genius speaks! applicable to each one of us interested in doing good to humanity at large. I specially liked ' Go on to know outside your own field'... Being a busy doctor, I have always a lame excuse ! Thank you sir, for a powerful stimulus!
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Great mind speaks
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That's true, when I am passionate about my research work, I find it difficult to take a break, even on weekends. Leaving the lab on Friday and waiting two days to resume can be challenging. Open access articles provide an invaluable opportunity for young researchers to access and engage with the latest publications. However, the financial burden associated with publishing open access articles can be prohibitive for early-career researchers. A substantial portion of research funding is allocated to cover publishing fees, yet reviewers do not receive any compensation for their efforts. It is disheartening that researchers bear the costs of publication, reviewers contribute their expertise without remuneration, and publishers reap substantial profits. I believe that publishing fees for open access should be reduced or at least discounted for young researchers to alleviate this financial strain.
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Great mind speaks
