Application Quote by Cesar Milstein
“The hybridoma technology was a by-product of basic research. Its success in practical applications is to a large extent the result of unexpected and unpredictable properties of the method. It thus represents another clear-cut example of the enormous practical impact of an investment in research which might not have been considered commercially worthwhile, or of immediate medical relevance. It resulted from esoteric speculations, for curiosity's sake, only motivated by a desire to understand nature.”
About This Quote
Basic research can yield unexpected, valuable applications like hybridoma technology.
In simple terms: Basic research can produce surprising practical benefits.
Key Takeaway
Invest in curiosity-driven research.
Themes
research
serendipity
innovation
Mood
reflective
optimistic
Type
science
policy
When to use this quote
- drug development
- academic funding
- policy making
Key Concepts
biology
immunology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we better fund high-risk basic research?
- What examples show unexpected benefits?
A Different Perspective
Commercial pressure may undervalue speculative research.
![“I learned what research was all about as a research student [with] Stoppani ... Max Perutz, and ... Fred Sanger... From them, I always received an unspoken message which in my imagination I translated as "Do good experiments, and don't worry about the rest."” quote by Cesar Milstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/df8/cesar-milstein-56606_experiments_i-learned-what-research-was-all-about-as_1928967.jpg)
![“And yet in a funny way our lack of success led to our breakthrough; because, since we could not get a cell line off the shelf doing what we wanted, we were forced to construct it. And the original experiment ... developed into a method for the production of hybridomas ... [which] was of more…” quote by Cesar Milstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6d9/cesar-milstein-56606_breakthrough_and-yet-in-a-funny-way-our-lack-of-succe_2577055.jpg)
![“Although the way ahead [for immunology] is full of pitfalls and difficulties, this is indeed an exhilarating prospect. There is no danger of a shortage of forthcoming excitement in the subject. Yet, as always, the highlights of tomorrow are the unpredictabilities of today.” quote by Cesar Milstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0b5/cesar-milstein-56606_danger_although-the-way-ahead-for-immunology-is_2757068.jpg)
