Basic research is key

"But my position is always that, in order to get really new insight, one also needs to do basic research which just asks how things work."

For any person aiming to be the first to make a genuine breakthrough in drug development, one must grasp the underlying principles better than others with the same goal, he says, and greater support must be given to fundamental research to strike a balance between it and practical applications.

Citing the European Research Council, which allocates grants to individuals supporting research teams for five years on topics that promise fundamental knowledge breakthroughs, Neher suggests that Macao, besides funding innovation, new products and medicines, could introduce more programs to support basic research to attract Nobel laureates like himself.

Chinese scientists are already making significant contributions to the international exchange of knowledge, he says, as evidenced by their growing presence at major events like the recent World Life Science Conference in Hainan province which Neher attended. "Chinese scientists do play an increasing role in that international dialogue."

Neher attributed his path to a Nobel Prize to his early interest in research when he became fascinated with various subjects, including technology, electronics, horology and biology. It was through those interests that he discovered his passion for biophysical research and decided to focus on this field.

However, according to Neher, a good scientist requires a certain mindset. "You need to have an inquisitive kind of mind, the ability to identify a problem and to be so captivated by that problem that you hardly stop thinking about it and will think about it from all angles."

He says scientists may possess the ability to design experiments with positive expectations to solve problems effectively, but they may get disappointed because it's inevitable that experiments rarely yield immediate results. With luck, a scientist with a brilliant mind can navigate these challenges by contemplating mechanisms thoroughly.

Asked what it would take to win the Nobel Prize, Neher refers to what a colleague had once told him: The number one rule - there is no rule at all.

Contact the writer at stephyzhang@chinadailyhk.com