• Question: can it be a problem when you want to test something, but you dont have the technology to test it? is lack of money a problem in the science world?

    Asked by tessa to Chris, Kay, Kerstin, Lorna, Liv on 16 Mar 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Kerstin Zechner

      Kerstin Zechner answered on 16 Mar 2010:

      Hey Tessa! This is a really good question and very relevant to our lab. Unfortunately, labs doing the stuff we do don’t get a lot of money. Recently, grants have been more directed towards research in human cells and human diseases. A lot of experiments I have been wanting to do weren’t possible because we can’t really afford it, which upsets me sometimes. Money is definitely a big issue in research, as without money, it’s quite hard to do new, interesting experiments and without these you can’t publish your research. Without publishing your research, it gets harder to get money. So it can be a bit of a vicious cycle.

    • Photo: Kay Penicud

      Kay Penicud answered on 16 Mar 2010:

      Its a massive problem. Science is super expensive (the microscope I used today cost half a million pounds). The problem is so little of science turns into profit, so businesses aren’t interested. Money mostly comes from the government or from people donating to science research charities.

    • Photo: Olivia Hibbitt

      Olivia Hibbitt answered on 17 Mar 2010:

      Hi tessa,

      you’ve really hit the nail on the head with this question! My experience of research is a constant race to develop new technologies to answer new questions while ALWAYS looking for where your next £ is coming from! There is a real short-fall in funding in the science world and a lot of really excellent research goes unfunded.
      Sometimes not having the technology to test an idea actually makes the science better!!! You really need to think hard about the question you are trying to ask! My research for example…..I started using viruses to get my gene into cells…..but it really wasn’t working very well, so I had to become a bit inventive. I now use a system that is much safer and much more effective….so not having the technology made my stuff 100% better!

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