Prior to his insights, glia were just thought to be little more than structural support and insulation for neurons. The truth of course is so much more interesting.
In addition to being an incredibly productive, paradigm-shifting scientist, Dr. Barres was also honest and down to earth about the realities of the field. I'd recommend anyone going in to any type of graduate study to read his essay on how to choose na graduate advisor: http://www.cell.com/neuron/abstract/S0896-6273(13)00907-0
I quit academia, frustrated at how bureaucratic it was and how impossible it seemed to become a Great Scientist. Very inspiring to read about the lives of those who make it against all odds.
May the work and memory of Ben Barres carry the next generations of scientists.
The real answer is that the life sciences are currently in a medieval phase. It's like doing physics without algebra or calculus. We should certainly not expect any regular progress. It is extraordinarily inefficient.
I understand what you are trying to say. Yes. This is a sort of a dark age for all science related. A few well supported islands in an ocean of hostile politics
I didn’t say people weren’t trying. I was asking for more research. Pancreatic cancer is not generously funded. Most would argue that it’s underfunded.
The highest of compliments. RIP