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++++++++++++++++++ + + ++++++++++++++++++ INNOVATION +++ +++ In New Scientifi c Era, M Collaboration and Leadership Are Key By Vito Di Bari ORE THAN A century has passed since the death of Louis Pasteur, but school- children still learn of his achievements and, well, they should. Pasteur lent his name to the process that slows microbial growth in milk and other foods and delays spoilage. His work in developing vaccines ended the scourge of rabies and other deadly diseases. Midway through the 20th century, James Watson and Francis Crick deduced the double-helical structure of DNA. Their insight stands as one of the greatest breakthroughs ever in biology, and it earned them places in the scientific pantheon alongside Pasteur. The world is now entering a medical revolution made possible through the study of DNA. The Human Genome Project has mapped approximately 25,000 genes. As a result of this, the potential for the treatment and pre- vention of diseases is limited only by the imagination. So, a century from now, whose name will be attached to the Human Genome Project? Probably no one's, since the project is a massive collaboration spon- sored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health, and governments and universities throughout the world. In an act of incredible foresight and largesse, the information gleaned from the research has been made available to anyone, free of charge, via the Internet. Teams of researchers at universities, corporations and hospitals are using the information to advance new techniques for treating diseases and infi rmities. Just a generation ago, the exchange of scientifi c information was dependent largely on the postal service. Today, it takes place via computer at high speeds. Data is growing exponentially, and the collective knowledge and breakthroughs available because of it dwarf the intellectual capacity of any one man or woman. The Human Genome Project, I believe, marks a shift in the scientifi c paradigm. The scope of humanity's collective knowledge is so great today, and so intricate and complex, that the chances of the "lone hero" such as Pasteur launching breakthroughs in science and medicine are fading fast. Instead, the advances will come largely through collaboration, and the key to success will rest in skilled leadership. The scientifi c heroes of the future will be men and women who can marshal the intellectual resources of many people — perhaps thousands. They may be living on different continents, but will be linked through the Internet, using computers that have been doubling in power every 18 months. Such leadership will require people with strong egos, but they must be willing to sacrifi ce personal recognition for the good of the project. In the future, those who declare, "Look at me, and all that I can do!" won't achieve much. It's people who say, "Look at this," and marshal the ideas of the group in working toward a goal who will push the boundaries of human understanding. This will apply to the application of scientific and medical knowledge, as well as to research. Yet there are hurdles that will have to be overcome for the new paradigm to take root. In a hospital setting, doctors represent a priesthood of sorts, sitting at the top of a hierarchy. Many doctors still look upon themselves as the superhero whose skills born from years of education and training make the difference between life and death. To continue the conversation, please visit http://www.mdnews.com/news/2012_06/ newscientifi cera. Vito Di Bari is an acclaimed futurist, author and authority on innovation. He was chosen to be the Innovation Designer for the upcoming 2015 Universal EXPO to be held in Milan. He is recognized worldwide for his numerous innovative theories and multitude of published works. ■ 10 | Central New York MD NEWS ■ MDNEWS.COM