Two parts of the same cell: Discovery and CARE – GIMM Two parts of the same cell: Discovery and CARE – GIMM

  January 31, 2025

Two parts of the same cell: Discovery and CARE

The GIMM Foundation is grounded on one sole purpose: knowledge. And even though it could be summed in one of many words, it contains multitudes. Like the human body is made by many tissues with the single purpose of being alive.

From all the multitudes that this research institution contains, two main branches give it the structure needed to chase knowledge. GIMM Discovery, the heart of our fundamental research, where scientists are encouraged to pursue groundbreaking ideas that push the boundaries of our understanding of biology and human health. This part of GIMM thrives on curiosity-driven research, fostering a culture where curiosity, innovative thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration are key. By nurturing this exploratory spirit, GIMM Discovery advances our fundamental knowledge, but also lays the groundwork for future innovations that can have profound impacts on science and society.

This is where GIMM CARE is born. This culture of scientific exploration, a hub for discoveries, is the perfect environment for studying key questions envisioning a direct impact in healthcare and quality of life. GIMM CARE’s main aim is to shorten the path from fundamental scientific discoveries to real-world solutions. It brings together the knowledge, the infrastructures and, specially, the people that this mission requires. Opposite to GIMM Discovery, the questions addressed by our CARE scientists are directly focused on their impact on clinical and translational research. Driven by looking for solutions for specific missions that are pressing in today’s world, its research focused on problems that are screaming for attention, GIMM CARE creates the place, structure and environment for the right people to dedicate their full attention to those problems.

But it’s not that the science at CARE is not equally driven by curiosity, innovation and exploration. It’s just that these key characteristics of research are dedicated to a specific question with well-defined borders, whereas in GIMM Discovery, this curiosity is untamed and the borders more flickery. But to have no constraints to our imagination and attention is what led to a great body of the knowledge that we have collectively gathered over the centuries. It was the well-trained attentive mind of Alexander Fleming that discovered antibiotics, as it was the well-trained attentive mind of Marie Curie that found radioactivity. And, if these examples seem distant, think how different would the world be today if not for the decades of research and fundamental discoveries by Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman that led to the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.

In a time where the world runs fast and impatient, where we want the answers, all answers, as soon or before the questions, it’s crucial to continue to foster research hubs like the GIMM Foundation, where fundamental and applied research prosper together in a collaborative environment. The synergy between GIMM Discovery and GIMM CARE ensures a dynamic flow of knowledge and innovation, where fundamental research informs applied projects, and practical needs inspire new scientific questions. This interconnected approach enables GIMM to rapidly adapt to evolving healthcare challenges, driving both scientific excellence and societal impact. By bridging the gap between curiosity-driven research and its application, the GIMM Foundation can be a catalyst for transformative change in global health. And, it would all sum to nothing if disconnected from society, because the world and its citizens are its fuel.

This article was written by Helena Pinheiro, responsible for science communication.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x