Telomere research has its origins in the question of chromosome end protection, a very fundamental issue originally studied in yeast, maize and several protozoan organisms. In fact, the conservation of mechanisms and structures means that this work has opened the door to a number of questions of medical importance. This is often the case. Let me remind you that RNA interference was discovered from work on the color of petunia petals (the search for a deep purple), and retrotransposition from studies on the variegation of corn kernel colors within the same ear. None of this work, so rich in medical applications, would have been funded by an anti-cancer plan or a program to combat Alzheimer's disease. In these times, alas not new, when politicians of all stripes seem incapable of understanding the need to preserve and develop fundamental research, there are certain obvious facts that need to be borne in mind. Once we have been definitively left behind by our neighbors, it will be too late to whine about our loss of competitiveness. We can console ourselves with a visit to the amusement parks.
17:00 - 18:30
