Feb 16, 2021 08:00:00

What are the problems surrounding research that can be seen from the cold treatment of researchers who have developed the basic technology for the new coronavirus vaccine?

The new coronavirus vaccine '

BNT162b2 ' developed by Pfizer BioNTech and ' mRNA-1273 ' developed by Moderna are mRNA vaccines that inject mRNA with information to synthesize proteins. It is reported that Katalin Kariko, who laid the foundation for the development of this mRNA vaccine, was treated coldly during college. Mr. Kariko and Mr. David Scale , an assistant professor at Weil Cornell Medical University who spent time in the same laboratory as a university student, talk about Mr. Kariko when he was a student and explain the social problems surrounding researchers.

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Kariko and Scale belonged to the same laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania. At that time, Mr. Kariko was a very enthusiastic researcher who enthusiastically talked to his colleagues in the laboratory when he found an interesting research treatise. In 2005, Kariko discovered that 'the use of modified bases can suppress the immune response,' with some success. However, the University of Pennsylvania not only did not recognize Mr. Calico's achievements, but also reduced his salary.

The female scientist who led to the realization of the 'mRNA vaccine' that prevents the new corona was treated coldly at the university --GIGAZINE

According to Scale, research institutes like universities give a lot of salaries to humanities researchers, but they ask medical researchers to get research funding from outside and pay less. He said he wouldn't pay much. As a result, young, economically vulnerable researchers tend to work on 'the research that is easiest to secure' rather than 'the research that they are most passionate about.' Carico has also applied for grants many times, but no company or research institute has funded her research on RNA, and she will eventually leave the University of Pennsylvania. I will.

'The fact that the university gives us a pay cut gives researchers more shock than the failure of the experiment and the dissatisfaction with their lack of understanding of their research. It's the same as saying, 'I don't have enough ability as a scientist.'

Scale, who was contacted by Calico in 2015, learned that she was working as a BioNTech researcher. 'I was very happy to know that Calico was working as a researcher, because she was a very enthusiastic researcher,' said Scale. Regarding the fact that the basic research conducted by Mr. Calico led to the development of a new coronavirus vaccine, 'The technology developed by Calico was one of the most spectacular victories in the history of science. Many mRNA vaccines I am in awe of her, 'he said, praising Mr. Calico.

However, according to Mr. Scale, the social situation surrounding researchers is worse than it was 20 years ago. 'A devoted study by several people can save millions of people. The new coronavirus vaccine shows that the world needs good science and good researchers. I did, 'he said, pointing out the importance of investing in basic research .