Hegemann on brain research Treatments need more time

Oct 5

Ingo Zamperoni interviews new Nobel laureate Peter Hegemann about his reaction and optogenetics. Hegemann explains targeted light delivery, the small area illuminated by a fiber and the value of identifying nerve-cell types and circuits. He distinguishes improved understanding of brain disease from therapies that may still take years or decades. Welcoming recognition for Würzburg and Humboldt universities, he contrasts their resources with the more generously funded large research institutions. Asked about opportunities for younger researchers, he says support for basic research has declined across European countries, criticizes demands for applications within three years and recommends Norway's longer doctoral and postdoctoral support. He thanks the German Research Foundation while warning that basic-research support is at risk and hopes the prize will reinforce its importance.

In his Tagesthemen Nobel-day interview, Hegemann says European basic-research support has declined and that requiring a new field to yield applications within three years is too demanding. He welcomes the honor for university research while contrasting it with more generously funded large institutions. He favors more patient funding and longer doctoral and postdoctoral positions, citing Norway, while thanking the German Research Foundation and warning that such support is endangered. This is his public assessment and appeal, not an adopted funding program.