化学家尚卡尔：看似无用的研究往往会改变世界

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant contributions of chemist Shankar Balasubramanian to the field of genomics, particularly through the development of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology, which revolutionized gene sequencing speed and cost, impacting human health and disease diagnosis [3][4]. Group 1: Achievements and Innovations - Shankar's team developed NGS, reducing the time to sequence a human genome from ten years and $3 billion to about one hour and $1,000 [3]. - He has received numerous prestigious awards, including being knighted by the Queen of the UK in 2017 and winning the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences in 2022 [4]. - His research has led to significant advancements in understanding biological evolution and improving disease diagnosis [3][4]. Group 2: Research Philosophy - A good research question stems from a genuine love for science, which encourages researchers to embrace failure as part of the learning process [4][5]. - Shankar emphasizes the importance of creativity in research, believing that seemingly "useless" studies can lead to groundbreaking discoveries [6][7]. - He advocates for providing young scientists with the freedom to explore and experiment, as this is crucial for innovation [6][7]. Group 3: Engagement with Youth and Culture - Shankar expresses a strong interest in Chinese culture and appreciates the support for basic scientific research in China, noting the importance of young scientists for the future of science [8][9]. - He encourages students to think independently and creatively, fostering an environment where new ideas can flourish [8][9]. - His interactions with young researchers invigorate his own work and keep him engaged in the scientific community [9].