From Curiosity to Care: How Science Transforms Lives

For many of us, science is an abstract concept confined to laboratories and textbooks. We might imagine scientists as older men with grey hair, long beards, wearing safety goggles and white lab coats, spending their days mixing different colorful liquids that may or may not cause a fire or a small explosion. However, science is much more than that. It is the foundation of modern medicine, technology, and our daily lives. It drives progress, transforms industries, and, most importantly, saves lives. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the progress of various diseases - such as cancer, infections or rare diseases - gives us a significant advantage in developing effective treatments.

Scientific research has been responsible for some of the greatest medical advances in history. From developing life-saving vaccines and treatments for life-threating diseases to improving our ability to diagnose even the trickiest and rarest conditions at their early stages, science has continuously improved the quality of life of people all around the world. Beyond these visible contributions, science also influences our day-to-day lives in ways we often take for granted. Scientific discoveries can affect the public health policies made by governments to, for example, improve the quality of the food we consume or the air we breathe. Scientists play a crucial role in shaping the environment by communicating their findings clearly to ensure a more informed and innovative society capable of making well-thought-out decisions with a keen awareness of the impact three choices have on our lives.

Science is developing at an enormous speed, and this reflects greatly in the advances we see in medicine. The origins of modern cancer treatment can be tracked back to the 1900s when X-rays were first used to treat cancer. This breakthrough was made possible by scientists like W. C. R?ntgen, who discovered X-rays [1], and Marie and Pierre Curie, who demonstrated that radiation could be harmful to cells [2], suggesting it might be used to kill cancer cells. However, the first decades of radiation therapy were fraught with challenges, as scientists had a limited understanding of its effects on healthy cells, which led to significant unwanted side effects. The birth of modern radiotherapy is therefore often considered to be in 1920, when it was demonstrated that radiation can be fractionated [3], reducing harm to healthy cells.

Cancer treatment advanced further in the 1940s with the birth of chemotherapy [4] followed by the evolution of targeted therapies with first success stories in the treatment of breast cancer [5]. The revolution of targeted therapies has been predominantly driven by discoveries in molecular biology and cell biology. These fields have revealed numerous new molecular targets specific to cancer cells that can be attacked by novel therapeutics. In recent years, immunotherapy has emerged as a new revolutionary strategy in cancer treatment. This has also become possible thanks to scientists uncovering the strategies cancer cells use to evade the immune system [6], enabling new therapies that harness the body’s natural defenses to fight cancer. These advancements underscore how scientific innovation can turn the tide in the fight against cancer and other diseases, bringing us closer to breakthroughs that were once thought impossible.

While scientific progress has shaped the world around us, the journey from discovery to application is deeply personal for many scientists – myself included. I didn’t always want to be a scientist. As a child, I dreamt of becoming a princess. Later, my interests shifted between music, literature and law. However, during high school I grew more and more passionate about understanding the fundamentals of human life while also developing a deep desire to contribute to the well-being of humanity. When my grandfather passed away after his battle with cancer, I knew for certain that I wanted to help learn about this horrible disease and find effective treatment options to help the millions of people affected by it.

As I first stepped into a laboratory during my 2nd year of university, I was determined to find a cure for cancer by the end of my studies. I quickly realized how na?ve I had been, but that didn’t take away my determination. Learning about the complexity of cancer only fueled my interest, and I came to understand that every discovery brings us closer to eradicating this terrible disease. The more we know about our opponent, the better equipped we are to defeat it.

Although I’ve decided to take some time off from experimenting and spending days and nights in the scientific laboratory, I am immensely grateful for the nine years I spent studying human genetics and cancer biology. This has shaped my life in several ways. Not only has it proved me peace in my everyday life by understanding the basics of the human body and how certain actions affect it, but it also has profoundly impacted my current work. The knowledge and skills I gained during the years of doing science continue to support me strongly in my professional life. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind cancer development and how different treatment options affect cancer cells allows me to communicate more effectively with healthcare professionals and patients. I am also very happy to be able to apply my knowledge out of the scientific community and instead use it to have comprehensive discussions with clinicians. Together, we aim to improve the quality of life for as many patients as possible.?

The importance of science extends far beyond individual careers or industries—it shapes the world we live in. Continued investments in scientific research lay the foundation for addressing major problems in medicine, from prevention to diagnosing and combating diseases. For those working in science-related fields, the role is not just to advance knowledge but also to ensure that its benefits reach society in meaningful ways. By advocating for evidence-based decision-making, we can help shape a future where innovation continues to improve health and quality of life for all.

[1] R?ntgen W. C. (1896). On a new kind of rays. Science 3, 227–231.

[2] Curie P., Curie M. (1899). Sur la radioactivité provoquée par les rayons de Bécquerel. Comp. Rendus Acad. Sci. 129, 714–716.

[3] Moulder J. E., Seymour C. (2017). Radiation fractionation: the search for isoeffect relationships and mechanisms. Int. J. Radiat. Biol. 2, 1–9.

[4] Gilman, A. (1963). The initial clinical trial of nitrogen mustard. Am. J. Surg. 105, 574–578.

[5] Jordan V. C. (2014). Tamoxifen as the first targeted long-term adjuvant therapy for breast cancer.?Endocrine-related cancer,?21(3), R235–R246.

[6] Huang, P. W., & Chang, J. W. (2019). Immune checkpoint inhibitors win the 2018 Nobel Prize.?Biomedical journal,?42(5), 299–306.