Building Bridges 2022 Spotlight Series: an interview with Carl-Henrik Heldin MAE
Fresh from chairing a session on the ‘Frontiers of Science’, Professor Heldin shares his views on the role of science in addressing global challenges, and his work with the Nobel Foundation.
About Carl-Henrik Heldin MAE
Carl-Henrik Heldin has been a Professor of Molecular Cell Biology at Uppsala University, since 1992. He is currently the Chair of the Board for the Nobel Foundation. Previous positions include Vice-President of the European Research Council, Chair of the European Molecular Biology Organisation and Chair of the Science for Life Laboratory. Professor Heldin’s research interest is related to the mechanisms of signal transduction by growth regulatory factors, as well as their normal function and role in disease.
The interview
Professor Heldin, thank you for taking part in this interview for the Academia Europaea Conference 2022. You are chairing a session entitled, Frontiers of science: what’s around the corner? In broad terms, what do you think could be around the corner in terms of scientific development and its impact on society?
“If I restrict my answer to life science, which is where I am active, I think we will see the rapid development of -omics techniques, that is methods to sequence DNA, to determine protein levels, post-translational modifications, metabolites, mRNA, etc., using low amounts of samples and at low costs. Moreover, imaging methods will be developed, both to determine the structure of molecules and to monitor whole organisms, for instance to identify tumours and metastases in patients. These methods will lead to the collection of massive amounts of data, which will be handled with advanced bioinformatics techniques and artificial intelligence. Together with the development of many other sophisticated techniques and methods in biomedicine and biology, this will advance our knowledge about ourselves and other species, and will, for instance, make possible earlier diagnoses and better treatment of diseases.”
What role do you believe science can play in addressing some of the biggest global challenges we face and in meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals? Are Europe’s academies, including Academia Europaea and the Young Academy of Europe, well placed to play their part?
“I think that science will play a crucial role in the work to reach the UN´s Sustainable Development Goals. This work is of utmost importance for humankind, and has to be based on solid scientific facts. Academies, such as the Academia Europaea and the Young Academy of Europe, play and will continue to play, an important role as a bridge between science and society. Based on scientific facts, we scientists and our organisations need to do our utmost to encourage people and politicians to act and take the necessary decisions.”
Both AE and YAE are involved in providing evidence for policy development, through the European Scientific Advice Mechanism. You have previously raised concern about scientific evidence being overlooked or conveniently ignored by politicians and/or the public. Should scientists do more to make themselves heard?
“I think it is true that we now have an unfortunate situation in which many leaders of the world downplay the importance of dealing with climate change and other important issues that face humankind. Even worse, some political leaders and influencers disregard scientific facts and spread fake news and even conspiracy theories. It is a formidable challenge for us scientists to reach out to people and politicians, and to convince them that decisions that affect our lives and the future of the world must be based on facts and not on wishful thinking.”
As Chair of the Board of the Nobel Foundation, could you tell us what the role involves. What are the main rewards and challenges of the position?
“The Board of the Nobel Foundation is not involved in the identification of Nobel laureates. Each Prize has its own committee that operates completely independently and under strict secrecy, and the decisions are made by the Nobel Prize awarding institutions. The role of the Board is to oversee the work and to make sure that the Prize-awarding institutions have the necessary means and methodology to perform their tasks, and that the vision Alfred Nobel expressed in his will is honoured. The Board is also responsible for guarding the reputation of the Nobel Prize, to organise a Nobel Prize Award Ceremony on 10th December every year, and to invest the money in Alfred Nobel´s fund in such a manner that it will be possible to continue to award Nobel Prizes indefinitely. Moreover, the Board is responsible for spreading information about the Nobel laureates and their contributions, via museums in Stockholm and Oslo, and via Nobel Prize outreach, involving the organisation of various events inside as well as outside of Scandinavia. The high interest in the discoveries by the Nobel laureates offers an excellent opportunity to give information about science in general and its importance for the development of our society.”
In 2018, you acknowledged future trends towards greater diversity of Nobel prize-winners, with the rise of scientific excellence beyond Europe and the US. How do you see the situation, 4 years on? How else might the Nobel Prize organisation evolve in terms of outreach and impact?
“Alfred Nobel wrote in his will that “the Prizes should be awarded to those who have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind”. This is therefore the aim of the Nobel Prize awarding institutions. No quotas of any kind are used. Unfortunately, only a few women have been awarded Nobel Prizes so far and most of the Prize winners have come from Europe and North America. To some extent, this reflects that there is a certain delay from when the discoveries are made and when the Prizes are awarded. The Nobel Prize awarding institutions are certainly aware of this, and hopefully, as more and more women are engaged in research and as research activities outside Europe and North America become stronger and stronger, there will be a more even distribution of Nobel Prizes in the future.”