
„May you live in interesting times“ is said to be a Chinese curse. We, for sure, do live in not only interesting but also some of the most creative, innovative times in our history. This became once more obvious to me when I got to moderate the „Life-Science Partnering“ event by Enterprise Europe Network Austria in Innsbruck - aimed to bring together scientists with businesses.
Josef Penninger, one of the world’s most renowned geneticists took us along into his - rather optimistic - sci-fi-seeming world in which he creates human blood vessels out of stem cells in order to combat diabetes. On the other hand, Cornelia Lass-Flörl, one of the most successful Tyrolean scientists, shocked me with a rather dooming outlook that humankind will be threatened more and more not only by viruses but also fungi (that we can’t protect ourselves from - as we simple inhale them!). Connected to covid patients, there have been increasing fungi infections due to their weakened immune system.
Interesting they are, these times. I am consoled a little by the fact that we are sharing them with brilliant scientists as Lass-Flörl and Penninger working on our current challenges. The latter said that he is planning to work until he’s 95. Glad to hear. As there still seems a lot to be done for all of us, to make sure our times may not only be interesting but also lived to the fullest with our most creative and innovative potential.
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