CRISPR, optogenetics, GFP: biggest breakthroughs all trace to curiosity-driven basic research
chaitjo · x · 2026-10-11
Itai Yanai traces three landmark biomedical breakthroughs to curiosity-driven science: CRISPR came from basic bacterial research, optogenetics started with a discovery in algae, and GFP comes from jellyfish. His argument: the biggest breakthroughs emerge when scientists follow curiosity, which is why basic research funding must be protected.
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