01 20 The Eppendorf – LifeScienceStyle Magazine

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EPPENDORF! How the company continues to improve peoples’ living conditions – 75 years on

THE SEARCH FOR CLUES What are the causes of autism? Lauren Orefice knows: the sense of touch plays a role

Dossier No Easy Decision

presented by ISSN 2625-1116 CONTENTS EDITORIAL i Dear Reader, SUBSCRIPTION AND FEEDBACK You want to make sure that you will continue 33 When the founders of today’s to receive future issues? Please visit the world market leader Eppendorf, website www.eppendorf.com/abo_OTB Dr. Hans Hinz and Dr. Heinrich and subscribe to “Off the Bench“ for free. Netheler, started repairing defec- tive laboratory instruments and We look forward to your feedback, which will developing new devices in 1945, tell us whether we have indeed achieved our they had a vision: to improve peo- goal with this issue. We invite you to submit your suggestions for improvement: ple’s living conditions. Today – 75 years later – this founding idea is still Eppendorf’s guiding princi- [email protected] ple for entrepreneurial decisions that are always aimed at shaping 12 the future. In pioneering work, Eppendorf developed products early on that made laboratory work much easier. Examples include the photometer from 1949 onwards, which is still in the portfolio today, and the Multipette® 4780, which was 26 launched in 1978. This year, “Move It®” is a special high- light: with the multichannel pipettes, the tip distances 44 can be varied and thus up to twelve samples can be transferred simultaneously. Behind innovations like these there is always the fol- lowing question, which we are dealing with particularly intensively in the anniversary year 2020: what will the science of tomorrow look like? Our thoughts on this and a selection of milestones from our history can be found 36 in the “Inside Eppendorf” section on pages 26 to 27 and for further information at www.eppendorf.com/75-years, where our 75th anniversary is given special attention. A certain development, whether entrepreneurial or personal, is always the sum of all our decisions. Whether INSPIRING SCIENCE 20 A Question of Ethics 36 Underrepresented they are right or wrong is often only known afterwards. What should artificial intelligence decide for itself? Physicist Jess Wade writes Wikipedia entries But how do decision-making processes work? And what 4 News about women in science – in her spare time kind of power does artificial intelligence have when we Science news 24 Good Advice feed it with information and let it make decisions for us Book suggestions on the topic of decision-making 38 Hear Hear! based on algorithms? This is a complex topic that we 6 Lonely at the Top Communicating science via podcasts – this is how it works! examine from all sides in our dossier. It is fascinating how tall, old and heavy certain INSIDE EPPENDORF species of trees will grow We hope you enjoy reading the magazine, 26 75 Years Eppendorf EXPLORING LIFE 10 Conveying Knowledge Of milestones and major future issue How students learn from researchers – and vice versa 40 Genius Invention 28 Fundamental Questions of Research 50 years of Internet – a success story 12 Ecological Value “Science Counts – but what Counts in Science?“ Eppendorf and researchers are investigating this 42 Medicine for Men Earthworms are much more exciting than we give Diagnostics and therapy of illnesses are often them credit for, a global study reveals 30 Lab Lifestyle geared towards men. This needs to change! Downtime: inspirations and a contest Eva van Pelt 14 The Field of Fragrance Research 44 Hamburg Co-CEO Why not only the nose, but all tissue cells can smell: 32 In Brief The rich heritage of the Speicherstadt Hanns Hatt provides the answers in an interview News and new products from Eppendorf 48 Becoming Visible PS: You would like to experience “Off the Bench” in ® digital format? Simply visit our website! DOSSIER Guest contribution from “Science ” magazine BRIGHT MINDS www.eppendorf.com/otb 50 Nature in Pictures 16 This is What I am Going to Do! 33 Highly Relevant “Photographers of the Year 2019“ In a bind? According to expert advice, the best How Lauren Orefice discovered the connection decisions are made with heart and mind between the sense of touch and autism. A portrait 28 Masthead

ISSN 2625-1116 2 3 INSPIRING SCIENCE INSPIRING SCIENCE Science News !

From zero to a hundred The cheetah is the master of the sprint – no other land animal in the world is as fast as it is Record in Materials Science

In the race to produce the darkest material, two US scientists were able to outperform the previous record-holder, “Vantablack”. They have developed a surface capable of absorbing 99.99 percent of light. Like its predecessor, this particularly dark material 39 Bits is manufactured from carbon-based nano- tubes in order to obtain a specific surface structure. A manufacturing process enabled per second – according to a study even further improvement of the absorption capacity. While the naked eye is unable to conducted by scientists at the detect the difference to Vantablack, which absorbs 99.96 percent of light, this new ma- University of Lyon in France, it terial is considered a significant step in the direction of the deepest black. is at this speed exactly that all 17 languages in the study trans- port information from mouth to ear. While Japanese and Spanish Goodbye Hereditary Disease? are considered to be fast-paced languages, they do not transport any more information. Unsurpassed Meet the King of the Sprint: the cheetah. In as 230 decibels. For the sake of comparison, a fighter little as three seconds, it can reach a speed of more jet at take-off emits a mere 140 decibels. than 100 kilometers per hour and thus accelerate The water is home to even more champions within Despite ongoing ethical discussions, the ge- Diagnosis Breakthrough almost faster than a Porsche. On top of its extraor- the animal kingdom; for example, the Greenland nome editing system CRISPR has long been dinary running style, it is its lean physique that allows shark, with its life expectancy of 400 years. The only accepted practice in international research. Using 27 laboratory values and heart rate, scientists have succeed- the feline predator to perform at this top level. But animal to surpass it in this way is the giant sponge A team of scientists from the Broad Institute ed in diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in soldiers the cheetah cannot keep up this pace for very long; Anoxycalyx joubini; it can reach the ripe old age of in Cambridge, USA, has now developed the with an accuracy of 77 percent. Up to now, such disorders of the after about 400 meters it is exhausted. 10,000 years and it is thus the oldest living organism method even further: in the case of prime psyche can only be diagnosed via certain symptoms. Frank Doyle’s In stark contrast to the athletic cheetah, a 55 ton in the world. The secret to the longevity of these editing, the DNA is no longer cut, but its com- team from the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied sperm whale may not impress with its speed, but it animals, presume scientists, is rooted in their partic- ponents are precisely exchanged, deleted or Sciences in Cambridge,USA divided soldiers who had suffered PTSD is instead one of the loudest animals in the world. ularly slow metabolism as well as in specific genetic altered – a method touted to carry a lower during war and soldiers without PTSD into two control groups for Its clicking sounds reach a sound pressure level of features. risk. Prime editing could one day enable the the experiment, in order to compare all available laboratory results. correction of 89 percent of all heritable hu- From the abnormalities, they selected the relevant comparative values man diseases. for an accurate diagnosis.

4 5 INSPIRING SCIENCE INSPIRING SCIENCE Outstanding

There are approximately 65,000 known tree species worldwide, and some of them have made quite a name for themselves. They are higher, older or heavier than their peers – and they continue to amaze researchers and nature-lovers alike.

! Biblical Age

969 years old – according to thousand years old. The secret the Old Testament, this was the behind their longevity: in con- age reached by Methuselah. It trast to the DNA of, for exam- is therefore not surprising that ple, humans, which is subject the oldest living tree in the to pre-programmed, natural world known today has been deterioration, this particular named after him: Methuselah, pine has an extraordinary ca- a specimen of the bristlecone pacity for repairing and repro- pine, has been estimated to ducing damaged cell material. have thrived and survived in Moreover, the tree has adapt- the White Mountains of Cali- ed: pests hardly ever infest fornia for approximately 4,850 its robust wood; the dry sur- years. The White Mountains, as rounding air protects it from well as Nevada and Utah, are rot, and the vast distances be- home to the ancient tree spe- tween individual trees prevent cies, many of which are several extensive fires.

! Patience Rewarded

Not only one, but two records are held by the Seychelles palm tree, also known as the Seychelles nut: in addition to the largest flower and a cotyledon that measures takes another two years to germinate – four meters, this tree develops the largest maybe. The complicated reproductive and heaviest seeds in the plant world. The behavior of the tree is the reason why its giant seeds weigh up to 18 kilograms, and existence is limited to the Seychelles. The up to three can be found inside a single name of the fruit, “Coco de Mer”, meaning ripe fruit. The ripening process, however, “nut of the sea”, originates from a mis- takes time: only after six to seven years understanding; for the longest time, people does the fruit fall from the tree, and it believed that the seeds drifted across the ocean to spread the species; in fact, they simply sink. Today, this palm tree is listed as an endangered species.

6 7 INSPIRING SCIENCE INSPIRING SCIENCE

! Like Father, like Son

Hard to ignite, resistant to pests and easy to work with: the coastal redwood, also known as Sequoia sempervirens, delivers perfect timber, which is why it has seen massive clearcuts since the 1850s. To- day, you will find a mere ten percent of the original population in California’s na- tional parks. Two particularly magnificent specimens live in Redwood National Park, the name of which may be traced back to the striking red wood of the giant Sequoia. Helios and Hyperion, named after the Greek sun god and his father, are con- sidered the tallest trees on our planet. The slightly taller Hyperion measures an impressive 116 meters. How he manages to transport vital fluids to the top, against the force of gravity, remains a topic of debate among scientists. Most likely, though, this feat comes very close to the limits of what is biologically possible.

! Subterranean Secret

The trembling poplar, whose the vast expansion of the tree: white trunks protrude from the fires destroyed the trunks, but Utah earth, holds a record that never the root network, which may not be immediately obvi- subsequently sprouted anew on ous: behind the modest surface, the surface. Without this survival there exists what could possibly mechanism, other trees, mainly be the heaviest living being on conifers, would have competed earth. The network of roots of with the tree, which is sensitive its 40,000 trunks is connected to the dark, for space and re- underground and thus forms a sources. Life as a poplar grove, single organism that spans 43 however, is not entirely without hectares and would weigh six danger: fire suppression by hu- million kilograms. It is aptly mans, as well as grazing of young named “Pando”, from the Latin trees by deer and cattle, have for “to expand”. Ironically, wild- increasingly afflicted the record fires have presumably enabled holder in recent years.

8 9 INSPIRING SCIENCE INSPIRING SCIENCE

Bonus: teachers use it to search for a contact who could enrich their courses with scientific knowhow. Learning from each other If they are successful in finding a good match, a Course participants from the Live video call will take place. Hector Children's Academy in Stuttgart in exchange with medical researcher Boundless curiosity Dr. Kerstin Göpfrich Natasha Aristov’s students regularly talk with a total of seven different scientists – among them From neurologists, biologists and physicists. Exchanges with economists, educators and linguists are equal- ly important to her. This is how she met Aleksej Tikhonov who studies Slavic languages at Humboldt University in Berlin. During his dissertation, as part of a project funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, the Lab the 29-year-old, together with other graduate stu- dents, developed a tool that is meant to help match large numbers of manuscripts with the correct au- thors. During the video call, the students wanted Students and researchers connected to know everything: whether he would be able to work for the police; whether his ability to speak by video call: the online platform several languages was helpful; what it was like to write a doctoral thesis. “I was surprised how well “Ring-a-Scientist” brings scientists into the children were prepared and how much they the classroom – to everyone’s benefit. already knew about my topic”, reports Tikhonov. “The students’ reactions were overwhelmingly positive”, recounts Kerstin Göpfrich, Doctor of Biophysics, who, together with her physicist col- league Karl Gödel, created the platform. “On one occasion, a class called to find out how my research project had progressed, six months after the video call”, says the 30-year-old. She talks to classes ap- proximately every other week, and she loves it. In line with her discipline, she offers insights into cience is not limited to the natural sci- scientific research. Wearing a traditional lab coat, With funding in hand, they created the website ences”, says chemist Natasha Aristov. she demonstrates experiments before a webcam, during the program year 2017/18, and the private S“I want to sensitize children to the idea that sci- or she guides the class through her laboratory at project became a platform. HOW “RING-A-SCIENTIST” WORKS ence does not always involve a white lab coat and the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in The funding laid the technical foundation – since ! a laboratory.” The 61-year-old works as an edu- Heidelberg. At the same time, she offers a wealth then, only minor changes have been made. More cator at Hector Children’s Academy in Stuttgart of information on university programs and scien- was not necessary, says Göpfrich, the portal runs For teaching staff: For scientists: where she offers seminars to interested children tific careers. itself: “Teachers post a request, and the researchers The profiles of all scien- Under “register and par- and youth. One of her can answer independently.” For her as a volunteer tists can be accessed on ticipate”, anyone who courses carries the ti- Private engagement as a cornerstone operator, the system creates very little work. Fol- the website. Search filters wants to participate in the tle “Discussions with The allegation that science hides in its ivory tower lowing initial contact, the subsequent communica- help to find the person who platform may generate a Scientists” – here, she is not new – and science communication has long tion is often conducted through other channels best fits the topic. Contact profile – even while still at- gives an overview of the been an independent field. At the same time, tra- outside the platform. For this reason, the numbers can be established imme- tending university. Fill in different fields within ditional classes are often criticized for their lack of of requests, as well as the numbers of video calls diately via the platform. the online form with your Ring-a-Scientist the sciences, and she practical instruction. “Ring-a-Scientist” hits two that actually take place, are difficult to measure, but Once an appointment contact information, fac- brings science to the provides opportunities birds with one stone. Göpfrich puts it in a nut- it was important to her that the project be conduct- has been found, nothing ulty and research focus. for children to engage shell: “We bring science into the classroom, live ed openly – without tying the visitor to the website. more stands in the way of Upload a picture, and you classrooms – live with the researchers. via webcam“. a conferencing call. are ready to go. But how, as a student, It all began with personal engagement; even as International expansion via webcam.” does one talk to scien- a student at university, the young researcher visit- Göpfrich envisions increased development poten- Kerstin Göpfrich tists? How do you find ed schools and talked about science and research. tial by spreading the word about the portal among researchers who are If the timing wasn’t good, or if the commute was teaching staff – also at the international level. While MORE ON THIS TOPIC: willing to field questions too far, she would suggest a video call as an alter- the researchers now offer discussions in more than and talk openly with students? You call them. native – the idea for “Ring-a-Scientist” was born. ten languages, most of the interaction is with Ger- Visit the “Ring-a-Scientist” is the name of the platform Göpfrich and Gödel then applied for funding from man schools … for now. “I once had a video call website where scientists sign up to talk about their research. the “Free Knowledge Fellows Program”, a project with a class on the British Channel Island Jersey. To date, ring-a-scientist.org comprises approxi- by the Stifterverband (Donor’s Association), the Being able to expand on this would be a really nice mately 140 profiles from a broad range of faculties. Volkswagen Foundation and Wikimedia Germany. success.“ ring-a-scientist.org

10 11 INSPIRING SCIENCE INSPIRING SCIENCE Can of Worms to the ecological balance: earthworm hu- mus features a balanced nutrient ratio; its combination of enzymes, humic acids and minerals is unique. The resident micro- organisms improve the soil in a substan- tial manner – this is why the purchase of earthworms is a common practice among search into the exceptional role of the gardeners. earthworm is still incomplete, and in Oc- Its tunnel systems also assist the pen- tober 2019, they wrote in “Science®”: “Soil etration of rain water and increase the organisms, including earthworms, are a water-storing capacity of the soil. In this key component of terrestrial ecosystems. way, the earthworm effectively prevents However, little is known about their diver- floods. In addition, the tunnels facilitate sity, their distribution and the threats the growth of plant roots into the deeper affecting them.” layers of the earth with their unique nu- trients. Speaking of delivery service: for Global research some animals, the earthworm is a yummy In order to change that, scientists have treat. Blackbirds and robins, for example, SURPRISING FACTS We would like to introduce what may be the compiled an atlas of earthworm so- savor it. ! cieties from 6928 locations in 57 countries; And now for the earthworm myth. The most ecologically beneficial animal on they searched for patterns with respect to belief that one earthworm, when cut in • Earthworms are hermaphrodites; diversity, number and biomass of earth- half, will give rise to two new worms is each one of them possesses testes earth: the earthworm. 141 scientists from worms. A surprising discovery: “Climate widely held. Not so: only the front portion, as well as ovaries. During mating, 57 countries have published the first world variables were found to be more important which includes the essential organs, con- each partner acts as the male. The belief that earthworms will survive in shaping earthworm communities than tinues to live – under the condition that • Little powerhouses: earthworms atlas of the worm. It uncovers surprising such trauma is an urban myth. It is only soil properties or habitat cover. These the intestine is still long enough. In that can lift 50 to 60 times their own possible under certain circumstances. findings suggest that climate change may case, the hind end may regrow. So – please body weight, making them one of findings. More on that later. have serious implications for earthworm be careful while gardening and avoid hit- the strongest animals in the world communities and for the functions they ting a superworm! in relation to their body size. Charles Darwin’s book on worms provide”, write the researchers. • While the earthworm burrows It begs the question: why did 141 research- At the same time, the earthworm works through the soil, it presses its ers from 57 countries embark on creating comprehensively on preserving our eco- short clawlike bristle pairs into a world atlas of worms and decide to pub- logical balance. This soil engineer not only the ground to prevent sliding. lish it in the American scientific journal breaks up the soil, it literally plows through • In the 16th century, the German “Science®”? Well, even the father of evo- the earth, loosens and aerates it and mix- “Regenwurm” was known as “re- or its achievements in the area of lutionary theory, Charles Darwin (1809 es mineral and organic substances. With ger Wurm”(active worm) because ecological balance, it would well –1882), devoted an entire book to the its mouth-like front section, it attaches it was always working and eating. Fdeserve the title “Worldworm”. The English earthworm in 1881 – his last. “The For- itself to a rotting leaf via suction and then This is the origin of its modern refer to this king of the earth as the earth- mation of Vegetable Mould through the transports the leaf underground – its tun- German name. worm, in German it is “Regenwurm” – for Action of Worms” ended up being almost nel, or living-tube, can reach up to two • The worm does not like the rain. its active (“rege”) behavior. The most as successful as his work on evolutionary and a half meters deep and be up to 20 The vibration caused by the drop- widely known representatives include the theory. The British naturalist recognized meters long. However, before the toothless lets hitting the ground lures it from dew worm and the compost worm; they the importance of the earthworm for the worm can enjoy it, the leaf must be pre- the soil – where deadly UV-radi- are related to at least 7,000 species within fertility of the soil. Many of his colleagues digested by bacteria and fungi. Every day, ation and hungry birds await it. the subclass of Oligochaeta. deemed him to be crazy; at the time, earth- the worm devours close to half its body • One square meter of soil is typically For such a small organism, the earth- worms were considered a garden pest that weight in food, and during a single night, inhabited by 100 earthworms. The worm, which is blind and deaf and which would gnaw on plant roots. Today we know it pulls up to 20 leaves into its living-tube. animals enjoy moist, loose soil. possesses neither spine nor limbs nor the more worms populate the soil, the teeth, is capable of extraordinary feats. It higher the soil fertility. Waste disposal and delivery service lifts 60 times its body weight. The dew worm, To quote Darwin: “It may be doubted if The earthworm simultaneously assumes at 30 centimeters, is one of the longest there are any other animals which have the duties of waste disposal and delivery worms in its family, and it lives for up to six played such an important part in the his- service. With its help, dead material is years. To make it clear from the start: it will tory of the world as these lowly organized converted into nutrients. The digested only reach this ripe old age if it does not creatures.” More than 140 years later, remains, excreted by the worm on the sur- fall victim to a spade that will cut it in half. worm scientists bemoan the fact that re- face at night, are of particular importance

12 13 INSPIRING SCIENCE INSPIRING SCIENCE

from person to person, which is why we tected in the nose, are considered fragranc- wood. It is capable of increasing the Suitable counterpart all judge fragrances differently. es. Via the olfactory receptors on tissue growth as well as the motility of skin cells, Scent receptors in organs can be activated cells, these chemical substances are capa- accelerating wound healing by 40 percent. by a specific scent – and How much is the human nose capable of ble of influencing, even controlling, cell It also increases the life span of a hair by thus have a considerable detecting? function. 20 percent. influence on the respective tissue cells Hatt: You keep hearing this number of 10,000 fragrances which humans can dis- What is the current state of research? When will humanity benefit from this tinguish. However, new research shows Hatt: We know today that some of those detective work? that this may be an understatement – the olfactory receptors are tissue-specific, i.e. Hatt: I am convinced that 20 years from number is actually closer to several hun- they only occur in the liver or in the gut, now, people will take “olfactory receptor dred thousand. In any case, our nose is while others can be found throughout the blockers” in the same way that they take better than we give it credit. Rather, the body. The challenge is the exact fragranc- beta blockers now. By that time, we will question is: how many fragrances are we es which activate them are known for only have identified the exact fragrances that able to name? We are not very good at it, 60 to 70 out of a total of 350 fragrance sen- will either activate or block olfactory re- although it is actually only a matter of sors. Therefore, we first need to find the ceptors. The potential is incredible – right practice. A perfumer may be able to iden- key for each lock. Each receptor must be now, we are just seeing the tip of the ice- tify one or two thousand fragrances more isolated individually and exposed to thou- berg. than untrained people – due to practice sands of fragrances to see if it reacts to one and experience. among them. Only if I know the activator will I be able to see what the fragrance does to the cells. In the meantime, we have been successful in deciphering the cell function of a number of olfactory receptors for which the activating fragrance is known. SHORT PORTRAIT ! It is undisputed that What have you learned? Hatt: We were able to establish that we completely neglect scents are capable of influencing mainly the significance of the growth and the motility of the cells, but also their death. Moreover, they can induce Professor Hatt, what does spring smell smel l.” the secretion of different substances, in- like to you? cluding neurotransmitters and hormones, Hanns Hatt: This depends on where you Prof. Hanns Hatt by the cells. In summary, olfactory recep- live; which flowering plants grow in your tors have a large influence on tissue cells. vicinity and which foods are characteristic The Lock- for the season. Europeans perceive a dis- Does this mean we underestimate the This sounds promising for the diagnosis tinct spring fragrance that can be very sense of smell? and therapy of illnesses. Should we be different from the one in Asia or North Hatt: There is no doubt that we complete- hopeful? America. For me, the scent of spring is ly neglect the significance of smell and Hatt: This knowledge feeds into a broad determined by what emerges from the ice instead focus on images and sounds. At the area of applications – from immunology and snow: plants, mosses and decayed same time, with every breath – approxi- to cardiology, and it applies to therapy as German biologist, chemist and phy- and-Key- leaves – mainly earthy, damp, musty com- mately every two seconds – our brains are well as diagnostics. It is not only healthy sician Hanns Hatt is a cell physiol- ponents of odor – paired with spring blos- informed about the composition of fra- cells that harbor fragrance receptors, but ogist at the Faculty of Biology and soms like violet, hyacinth or lilac. The grances in the air. The brain reacts, and as also diseased cells. We have studied ap- Biotechnology at the Ruhr University warmer it gets, the more scent molecules a result, our mood may change. proximately 15 different types of cancer, in Bochum. For more than 40 years, are released into the air. This is why including breast and bladder cancer as he has been researching the topic we experience spring with particular You say that we don’t just smell with our well as gastrointestinal cancer. All these of smell and fragrance perception, Principle intensity. noses. What do you mean by that? cancer cells harbor large numbers of cer- and he is internationally regarded as Hatt: More than 15 years of intensive tain fragrance receptors. It is possible that one of the most respected scientists Humans often perceive identical scents research has shown that the 350 different these cells produce these fragrance re- in his field. It is his wish to bring his differently – why is that? fragrance receptors of the nose – the ol- ceptors either because they are mutated, science closer to a broader public Hanns Hatt has dedicated his career to Hatt: The olfactory receptors in the factory receptors which sit atop the olfac- or because it confers a biological advan- in a clear and understandable fash- nose, via nerve fibers leading through the tory cells and recognize fragrances – are tage. For gastrointestinal, prostate and ion. He is the author of two German the sense of smell. His research paves bones of the skull, forge a direct connec- in fact distributed across all cells through- bladder cancer, among others, we were bestsellers, which would translate to tion to those centers in the brain that are out the body. This includes the liver, the able to show that the fragrance sensors “Nobody Smells as Good as You” and the way to new diagnostic and therapeutic home to memories and emotions: the hip- intestinal tract, the heart and the skin, as are capable of influencing the growth of “The Little Book of Smell and Taste.” possibilities, based on the finding that pocampus and the limbic system. Scents well as sperm. the cells negatively. As a result, they grow www.cphys.ruhr-uni-bochum.de which we perceive repeatedly will always less well, slower or not at all. Clinical trials the fragrance receptors are not limited be interlinked with those lived emotions, These receptors are able to smell? have progressed the furthest on the topic images and sounds. The first experiences Hatt: Not exactly; these receptors detect of skin. For one receptor, we have identified to the nose. with a fragrance are likely very different certain chemical substances which, if de- the scent “Sandalore”, a type of sandal-

14 15 DOSSIER DOSSIER Right or Wrong? In times of unlimited options, we must decide – a thousand times a day. Our approach is not always entirely rational. Emotions tend to muscle their way in. Simple rules of thumb may help us make the better choice.

Leave nothing to chance Make decisions consciously and skilfully, instead of giving up control

o bounce out of bed or to turn that it was this technique which allowed over one more time? As soon as him to reach the best conclusions. Tthe morning alarm goes off, the first de- cision needs to be made. Am I going to The heart and the mind decide wear the sweater or a T-shirt? What’s for Research by neurologist Antonio Dama- breakfast – cereal or toast? Will I take the sio finally put the discussion to rest: the bus or the train? Even before the day has cool head alone is incapable of making really started, we have made hundreds any decision, and most models of ratio- of decisions. Until we turn off the light at nality do not successfully reflect actual night, it amounts to roughly 35,000 deci- decision-making behavior. It was by pure sions, write American neurologists Barba- chance that, in the 1980s, the head of the ra Sahakian and Jamie Nicole LaBuzetta Department of Neurology at the University in their book “Bad Moves: How decision of Iowa discovered that emotions play a making goes wrong, and the ethics of large part in the decision-making process. smart drugs“. We make some decisions One of Damasio’s patients who, after the quickly, based on gut feelings, whereas removal of a brain tumor, had been ren- others give us a major headache. What is dered unable to feel emotions, was also left it that influences our decision-making, and incapable of making any kind of decision. how do we arrive at good results? For hours, he would ponder whether to use Until far into the 20th century, we were the black pen or the blue one. According to convinced humans make purely rational Damasio’s hypothesis, reasoning depends decisions. Prior to making important de- on our ability to feel. Latest research has cisions, Benjamin Franklin, one of the shown that not only reasoning and emo- founding fathers of the United States of tions, but also prejudices and experiences, America, was in the habit of listing all even hormones, the time of day or sales advantages and disadvantages. He then tricks influence our decisions. weighed the arguments on a scale of 1 to Naturally, these turn out at times more, 10, according to importance and probabi- at times less astute. But what drives us to lity. Underneath each column, he drew a decisions that we later regret? A common line, added up the scores – and the de- mistake: we ask friends or members of our cision was made. In 1772, Franklin wrote families for advice. “Our personal choices in a letter to a scientist looking for advice systematically differ from the choices we

16 17 DOSSIER DOSSIER 60% of decisions are made unconsciously even before you become aware of them.

make for others and from the advice we give to our friends”, Psychologist Eva Krockow from the University of Leicester cautions. “Psychological studies found that people frequently encourage friends to take risks, which they themselves would typically shy away from”, says Krockow. Many pos- Coke, Fanta® or water? sible reasons exist: the “advisor” has more confi- The enormous breadth of choice alone makes it dence in the friend who seeks advice than they have cant. In this way, the manager avoids conflict, but difficult for many people in themselves they want to encourage the friend in he ends up damaging the company. “Defensive to make decisions their personal opinion; or they simply misjudge the decisions not only incur considerable additional friend’s situation. Krockow advises: “Being aware cost, but they also impact innovation, leadership of differences in the decision-making for oneself and customer satisfaction”, says Gerd Gigerenzer, and others is key to interpreting advice correctly director of the Harding Center for Risk Literacy at and making more balanced decisions.” the Max-Planck-Institute for Educational Research in Potsdam. Lots of bad advice 35,000 In accordance with the “sunk cost effect“, humans Freedom of choice as a challenge tend to hold on to decisions into which they have On a daily basis, it is mainly too much choice Number of decisions every already invested time or money – even if they have that complicates our lives. Finding a partner on already recognized that the choice is flawed. Ac- a dating platform? Choosing a movie from among person makes each day. Sleeping on it overnight! cording to a new study, the fear of personal con- thousands? Choice turns into torture very quickly. Today, science agrees on one thing: good deci- sequences in management leads to “CYA”-excuses; “People tend to want as many options as possible. sions require heart as well as mind. Frequently, for example, the internal applicant is offered a Whether it’s buying a car or a meal, they gravitate intuition corrects a seemingly sound and sensible promotion over a better qualified external appli- toward companies that offer more options versus decision – and vice versa. Those who aim to re- fewer ones, because they believe a large selection sist the ubiquitous temptations, for example while will maximize their chances of finding the best fit”, “When they finally do come to a decision, they’re shopping, are best advised to trust not only their explains stress researcher Thomas Saltsman of more dissatisfied and regretful about whatever gut but also do their math. Stock market celebrity the Social Psychophysiology Laboratory at New choice they make.” André Kostolany swore by the following strategy: York State University. “When it comes to actually Now, what may help us make the best decisions he intensely studied an investment and then used making a decision from all of these options, people in this sea of possibilities? Studies have shown that his imagination to forecast performance and price can become paralyzed – and avoid making choices comprehensive information tends to confuse rather development. And then he slept on important de- altogether”, says Saltsman. And it can get worse. than help. For example, instead of comparing 500 cisions for a night: “The evening is when you have toothbrushes prior to an online purchase, psychol- the idea, the morning is for a critical stance, and ogists like Gigerenzer suggest simple “heuristics”. by noon, the decision is made.” These are rules of thumb that help us come to a quick and acceptable solution despite little time and limited knowledge. I could simply buy the tooth- 81% brush that I know. A different heuristic: I will only search until I find an acceptable – even if not the of the respondents in a study claim best – solution. I can also orient myself along the choices that my friends make. Or I make a decision to rely on their brains when making based on my most important criterion. When book- important decisions. ing a hotel, for example, I will only consider proxim- ity to the train station and ignore everything else.

18 19 DOSSIER DOSSIER Mighty Machines

An autonomous car steers directly towards a pedestrian. How will the software inside the vehicle decide what to do? And who will be at fault in the case of an accident? This example shows that the use of artificial intelligence raises ethical and moral questions.

security system “iBorderCtrl”. Using facial recognition and an online lie detector right at Europe’s external borders, the system is said to be able to decide which persons are allowed to enter. Within the finance sector, automated trading systems independently buy and sell stocks and bonds, and univer- sity admissions are decided by algorithms. Intelligent machines thus take over de- cisions that have so far been made by hu- t translates text and sends us person- mans. Companies and organizations alized ads; it determines our credit- expect quick, objective, neutral – and Iworthiness, drives us in our cars from A hence fairer – decisions from AI than those to B and diagnoses our illnesses. Artificial that may be expected from supposedly Intelligence (AI) is omnipresent in our ev- prejudiced humans. “We often use irrel- eryday lives. Without our knowledge, and evant information or are influenced by without us being aware, algorithms make extraneous factors. This is where machine daily decisions for, about, and against us. intelligence can be helpful”, says Karthik How does Artificial Intelligence do it? Kannan, Director of the Krenicki Center It combs through massive data sets, rec- for Business Analytics & Machine Learn- ognizes patterns hidden therein and per- ing at Purdue University in West Lafayette forms evaluations by weighing certain in the US State of Indiana. factors – for example, through large num- bers of photographs of pets, linked to the Do machines have morality? labels “dog” or “cat”, it learns to distin- That which sounds so promising raises guish between these two animal species. ethical questions. When relying on autono- mous systems, humans leave difficult moral Autonomous vehicles and care robots decisions to a machine. Are autonomous The list of areas of application gets longer systems really able to decide whether a by the day. Among these applications are person is credit-worthy or reliably estimate Autonomous systems autonomous driving, computer-assisted di- and predict the subsequent offense rates Critics complain that agnostic systems and treatment and care of convicted criminals? Science is deeply artificial intelligence robots in medicine. Even in the realm of divided over the question whether algorith- has too much decision-making power international security, autonomous systems mic decision-making systems are capable are making progress. For example, the EU of correct ethical “behavior” in complex is currently testing the automated border situations.

20 21 DOSSIER DOSSIER

at a cancer diagnosis, it takes a doctor to evaluate the results and gently break the diagnosis to the patient. Even in autonomous vehicles, it appears INFOBOX that a human cannot hide behind the soft- ! To this end, they developed a “Moral Choice ware, reports Sydney Levine, scientist at Studies suggest that presumably objec- Machine” which is meant to equip AI with the Media Lab at Massachusetts Institute Artificial intelligence tive algorithms – just like humans – are a moral compass. The researchers defined of Technology (MIT), who led a study on Computer systems that imitate hu- subject to prejudice. This effect is mainly “good” and “evil” and then fed the AI with the question of assigning guilt in cases of man intelligence are called "artifi- due to distortions within the very database texts, the words of which AI was then accidents involving autonomous cars. The cial intelligence" (AI). Up to now, that is used to educate self-learning tasked with sorting into the two categories. authors discovered that in the case of an AI systems have been real special- algorithms and which subsequently leads The scientists are convinced that AI is ca- accident, participants tended to assign ists: they cannot comprehensively to misjudgments during the evaluation of pable of making simple moral decisions guilt to the person if the person and AI "think" like a human being, but individual cases and thus to discrimina- based on these associations, even though had been equally in control of the car. The help with the solution of individual tion. it lacks human consciousness. reason for this, the scientists suspect, is concrete problems. For this pur- AI adopts cultural that, according to our values, a vehicle pose, AI often uses algorithms – a AI suffers from prejudice Humans in high demand controlled by AI is not an independent series of instructions formulated in In this vein, a team led by psychologist Ay- stereotypes and prejudices Meanwhile, critics caution against leav- player that can act and decide freely. For computer language. AI can extend lin Caliskan of the Center for Information ing complex moral decisions to machines. these reasons, humans tend to absolve its capabilities by machine learn- Technology Policy at Princeton University from the Internet.” For example, the International Commit- machines of any kind of guilt. ing. Although artificial intelligence discovered that AI adopts cultural ste- tee for Robot Arms Control (ICRAC) fights has now penetrated almost all ar- reo-types and prejudices from internet. Research team from against the development and deployment eas of life, a study by the Bertels- For example, AI associated female first Princeton University of weapons which will make independent mann Foundation shows that al- names primarily with family whereas decisions about life and death. According most half of all Europeans do not male first names were associated with to the group of researchers who work with know what algorithms are. career. “Such biases may not be expressed Ute Schmid, human responsibility also Three-quarters of European re- explicitly, yet they can prove influential in continues to be in demand in the field of spondents would like to see more behavior”, write the authors in the jour- medicine. While AI may be able to arrive control in place over AI. Algorith- nal “Science”. A particularly horrific mis- mic decisions should be easier to judgment had beset the automatic image Transparent decisions understand, and there should be a recognition software by one software Under which circumstances are humans right to have such decisions re- company: in one image, African Americans now ready to accept AI decisions? Scien- viewed by a human being. were classified as gorillas since the database tists emphasize that these must be com- for the category “human” was mainly pop- prehensible and transparent. Ute Schmid, ulated with photographs of Caucasians. Professor of Applied Informatics at the If AI arrives at discriminating decisions University of Bamberg, Germany, agrees, based on such misjudgments, the conse- citing the example of medical diagnostics. quences for those thus affected are espe- “Automated learning processes do help cially tragic. While previously a bank clerk reach a diagnosis. If, however, these deci- had to explain to their customer in person sions do not make sense to the doctors or why their credit application was denied, the patients, results must be viewed with they may now conveniently place the caution and must therefore not be utilized blame for the unpopular decision on the further in safety-critical contexts such as computer system. A reason for the nega- medicine”, says Schmid. tive decision will not be provided to the This is why science is exploring ways to rejected applicant – as even the bank clerk render the decision processes within AI Keep control may not be able to comprehend the deci- systems more transparent and compre- AI makes decisions based on collected algorithms. However, sion-making criteria employed by AI. hensible. For example, Informatics Pro- morally difficult or vital conclusions fessor Anupam Datta of Carnegie Mellon should be tested and monitored University in Pittsburgh has developed a by humans, experts demand method that allows traceability of the weighting of decision-making factors of AI – for example, by weighting the crite- rion “race” differently when granting cred- it and subsequently re-analyzing the new results. Researchers at the Centre for Cognitive Science at the Technical Uni- versity in Darmstadt, Germany, have even attempted to program computer systems with moral decision-making behavior.

22 23 DOSSIER INSIDE EPPENDORF

Nudge How to nudge smart decisions INSIDE Those who study nudges will not be able to get around this one: the standard work on the topic not only coined the term, but it opened the discussion surrounding the Eppendorf impulse behind decision-making processes and their political dimensions – it therefore deserves our unreserved recommendation. A look back at the past, a look into the future, product Richard H. Thaler, Cass R. Sunstein, Algorithms 400 pages, Yale University Press, to Live By innovations from the here and now at Eppendorf – approx. $25.00 and there’s something to be gained too! The science of the perfect decision – from tidying up to dating

Selecting a university program; buying a car; mar- riage – decisions determine our lives. As individ- ual as they may seem, predictable patterns often hide in plain sight – predictable enough that many decision-making processes may be simulated by algorithms. How theoretical informatics may be Learning easily applied to everyday decisions. Brian Christian, Tom Griffiths, to Decide 400 pages, Henry Holt and Co., approx. $20.00 Even deciding what to read can turn out to be a difficult decision. Our book suggestions may help you make a selection. SUCCESS STORY How we Eppendorf is 75! About the Decide milestones and the burning questions of the future The successful interplay between head and gut AUTHENTIC Gut feeling or reason: there are rational decisions as well as emotional ones. But are these two mutu- INTERIOR VIEW ally exclusive? By including neurological findings, What challenges Jonah Lehrer blurs the boundaries between reason scientists see in their and emotion and shows that it is the combination that often leads to the best decisions – and how to laboratory work adopt the approach.

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24 25 INSIDE EPPENDORF INSIDE EPPENDORF

How important is the What contribution past for the future? does fundamental research make to “If I have seen further than others, it is by our health? standing upon the shoulders of giants.” This quote, made famous by Isaac Newton and which underpins the essence of science, is Eppendorf as relevant today as it was in 1675. It is only How to ensure by looking at past methods, experiments, the quality and results that we can learn from them and develop the research of the future. of our daily The same principle applies to the manu- needs? facturers that support scientists in their work. This year marks the 75th anniversa- consisting of mixers, centrifuges and Celebrates ry of Eppendorf as a company – and in this Eppendorf Tubes® for the processing of time we have gained the trust of genera- milliliter volumes of liquid. Genomic tech- tions of lab users with our products. Some niques, such as polymerase chain reaction products have become indispensable in the (PCR) and next generation sequencing laboratories of this world – such as the (NGS), are being used in an increasing “Eppi®”. The Eppi tube was invented in array of applications thanks to in- How can 1963 to help scientists handle the very small creasing portability and speed, amounts of liquids that they were using and as well as reductions in cost. By we age more also to ensure that these samples could be replacing manual pipetting, healthily in safely stored. For this reason, the Eppi tube, the fast and easy-to-use ep- the future? as with all Eppendorf consumables, is man- Motion® systems help scien- ANSWERS TO YOUR ufactured to minimize the risk of chemical tists meet the challenges of QUESTIONS? leaching. today and the future. Of course, as science and methods Following Eppendorf’s Please visit our 75 Years evolve, so too must our products, and so principle that perfection lies website at over the years we have built up different in the details, we have now eppendorf.com/75-years ranges of products covering all common extended our product range lab procedures. Each individual product to include smart-lab-soft- or any of our social has been carefully designed with the help ware platforms: VisioNize® media channels: This year the Eppendorf Group celebrates its 75th anniversary. A good of scientists to suit specific lab techniques; for monitoring lab devices the epMotion® range of automated liquid and eLAB® software time to look back – and look ahead: in this context, Eppendorf is also handling systems is one of the more recent for lab information dealing with major issues for the future. Questions that highlight the culminations of this process. management. The re- What does Designed to meet the rapidly increasing sult is a comprehen- importance of the life sciences and the scientists´ work on the topics scale of genomics experiments, the sive range of equip- tomorrow’s of tomorrow. epMotion range is the product of over 50 ment and services to research look years of experience in liquid handling, in- help scientists stand like? cluding award-winning designs and the upon the shoulders of invention of the microliter system – giants.

1945 1949 1961 1963 1963 1978 1996 today

Dr. Heinrich Netheler and Eppendorf develops a Eppendorf launches A microliter system consisting The “Eppi®“ reaction vessel The first Multipette® Eppendorf develops the air Discover more product Dr. Hans Hinz develop medical photometer for clinical the first piston-stroke of reaction vessels, mixers, is launched on the market. It with Combitips® and oil micro-injectors innovations online: diagnostic products; in 1947 applications. Over time, microliter pipette, centrifuges and pipettes is quickly became indispens- is launched on CellTram – for pressure eppendorf.com/75-years their company was renamed it became a world standard heralding the age of launched. It facilitates and able in medical and the market control during manual "Elektromedizinische Werk- for chemical and precise and fast improves laboratory work scientific laboratories and becomes micro-injection and dosing stätten GmbH“. biochemical analyses. pipetting. enormously. worldwide. a bestseller. of liquids.

26 27 INSIDE EPPENDORF INSIDE EPPENDORF

SHORT PORTRAIT ! What Counts in

Science? Talia N. Lerner, PhD, is Assistant Profes- sor of Physiology at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University in Chicago. Her main field of work is the de- cision-making of our brain: “The goal of my research is to dissect the synaptic and circuit mechanisms of habit formation. I want to know when habits are formed and how habits can be used adaptive- ly to optimize an organism’s survival strategy. Imbalance in habit formation mechanisms are hypothesized to be hen is a result truly a result? For Talia N. Lerner, human patients, we need to be sure we are getting things involved in disorders – such as obses- Eppendorf talked to leading PhD, Assistant Professor of Physiology at right. We need to imagine how our results would translate sive-compulsive disorders, autism and NorthwesternW University of Chicago, falsifiability is key: into practical therapies. Proper controlling and careful note- drug addiction. Thus, our discoveries scientists to learn about the “Nothing is certain, ever. We work with hypotheses that are taking are key”, says Lerner. “I rely on my lab members to be about this basic brain process may in- challenges they face in their presumed true until proven false. If you haven’t formulated careful observers, always looking for reasons an experiment form treatments for patients with these a falsifiable hypothesis, you aren’t doing science. For me, might be contaminated.” Her team does a lot to avoid possible disorders.” Professor Lerner is fascinat- daily laboratory work – and a ‘result’ is something that comes together when multiple systemic and measurement errors: “We can help each other ed how we learn about our environment how they ensure the integrity lines of investigation point in the same direction. When very do experiments in a blinded fashion, set concrete inclusion/ every day: “I think, the role of habit in our different experiments all fit into a model together, we begin exclusion criteria prior to analysis and scrutinize each other’s daily lives is often underrated.” of their results. Find out more to understand their meaning and can then form new hypoth- work for flaws. And we work hard to verify that all our reagents about Talia Lerner´s thoughts, eses to test.” are of high quality and our handling and analysis methods are standardized. Though, of course, it’s always possible and take a closer look at the What do you do to optimize the quality of your results? that there is something quirky about the lab”, says Lerner. “All researchers build on each other’s work”, emphasizes “In the end, cross-validation of our results by other groups full article online. Talia Lerner. “If we get something wrong, others will spend is important.” the data we collect – and we actively try to determine which time going down a wrong path, too, or trying to prove us “We need reliable laboratory equipment and – as I have explanation might fit best our observations. While we are wrong. Ultimately, the quality of our results determines how mentioned – that allows for automation of manual labor”, says never 100 percent certain of a result – there could always be impactful they will be.” This is why quality in the laboratory Talia Lerner. She stresses that “everyday lab work can be something we missed or an alternative explanation we have not matters all the time, at every single step. “If we want to help repetitive and boring, but careful science depends on stan- explored – we are always willing to examine things critically.” dardization. Some help comes from automation – increasing- Science only progresses when scientists check each other’s ly, we can make computer programs and robots take over our work, if they replicate somebody else’s experiment and build MASTHEAD manual labor and give us more time for creative thought. on the foundations set by their predecessors. Lerner sums it Published by: Eppendorf AG, Barkhausenweg 1, 22339 Hamburg, Germany, E-Mail: [email protected] Editorial team: Julie Brahms, Florian Defren, Andreas Hochberger, Berrit Hoff, Ann-Katrin Kardinahl, Tanja Musiol, Svenja Sterneberg, Frank Thormählen, Thomas UschkureitProofreading: Redaktionsteam Publisher: TEMPUS CORPORATE GmbH, Until then, podcasts and labmates you enjoy hanging out with up: “People should never trust one study (scientists don’t!), Helmut-Schmidt-Haus, Buceriusstraße, Eingang Speersort 1, 20095 Hamburg, Germany Management: Jan Hawerkamp Project lead: Jasmin Reuter Chief Editor: Natasa Ivakovic are lifesavers.” but they can trust that the enterprise of science as a whole Authors: Ursula Barth-Modreker, Maren Beck, Andrea Hessler, Carola Hoffmeister, Susan Junghans-Knoll, Luca Pot d’Or, Michael Fischer, Sally Wilkens, Kristina KaraFinal Editing: builds towards truth.” Frauke Franckenstein Art Director: Karin Mantel Layout: Lisa Natrup Photo editor: Katrin Dugaro Carrena Printed by: Dräger+Wullenwever print + media Lübeck GmbH & Co. KG Image references: Titelbild Getty Images; p. 2–3 Eppendorf AG, Tony Luong, Getty Images, iStock; p. 4–9 iStock; p. 11 Dr. Kerstin Göpfrich; p. 12–14 Getty Images; p. 15 Hanns Hatt, What makes science trustworthy? A likely wise conclusion could be, opinions matter very little Ruhr-Universität Bochum; p. 16–17 Getty Images; p. 19 Alexander Glandien; p. 20 Luise Jakobi; p. 21–23 Alexander Glandien; p. 24 iStock, PR; p. 25–29 Eppendorf AG; p. 30 iStock, Some people do not trust scientists, thinking they will fake with regard to scientific results. We do not get to tell biology PR; p. 32 Eppendorf AG; p. 33–35 Tony Luong; p. 36 Getty Images; p. 37 Privat; S. 38–39 iStock, p. 40–41 iStock; p. 42–43 Getty Images; p. 44–45 iStock; p. 46–47 iStock, alamy, experiments and work with made-up results. This has little to how it works; biology tells us how it works. Elbphilharmonie Maxim Schulz; Elbphilharmonie Iwan Baan, tibreizh.de, speicherstadt-kaffee.de, ontherugs.de; p. 48–49 Getty Images; p. 50–51 Eppendorf AG, PR Trademark references: All external trademarks and brands can be found on our website web.eppendorf.com/off-the-bench/assets/external-trademarks-and-disclaimer.pdf Eppen- do with reality, though, if you ask people working in research. dorf®, the Eppendorf Brand Design, Multipette®, Move It®, epT.I.P.S.®, ep Dualfilter T.I.P.S.®, SciVario®, VisioNize®, Mastercycler®, Eppi®, Combitips®, epMotion®, eLAB®, epPoints® “Science is trustworthy because we test our hypotheses”, and Eppendorf Tubes® are registered trademarks of Eppendorf AG, Germany. explains Talia Lerner. “We are open to many explanations of www.eppendorf.com/ScienceCounts

28 29 INSIDE EPPENDORF INSIDE EPPENDORF Lab Lifestyle Holding on to Great Ideas! 1 As we all know the best ideas often come unexpectedly. And if you have your “Bamboo Folio” on hand when you have a flash of inspiration you can use the pen to write down a note that is digitized thanks to the Smartpad. And you can save it to the Cloud so that it is accessible at any time. Magic? No, it’s smart technology. Cost: from 149 Euros. https://bit.ly/2S5i1Ov 1 2 Everyday Science

Why make it simple if you can make it complicated? The author Randall Munroe has already made a “Global Warming Sucks!” 3 name for himself with his bestseller “what if?”. In 3 2 his new book “how to” he uses his famous stick- I am standing in the spotlight taken in this decade to protect figure drawings to explain how to use scientific and of a science slam and saying in the climate and if the climate sys- technical phenomena to deal with everyday prob- clear words – away from science tem destabilizes it will be virtu- lems. An example: if you would like to find out – what I feel as a climate scientist. ally impossible to influence the whether you belong to the baby boomer generation But let’s start at the beginning: process. It means that mankind or if you are a child of the nineties just have the I am a geoscientist and I am will have gambled away its last radioactivity of your teeth measured. A little ab- researching molecular algae chance for a peaceful future. surd, surprising – and definitely funny! remains in the Antarctic. When The exploration of the sea and LOTTERY “how to”, 384 pages, published by Penguin, ice algae die they sink to the climate is my absolute dream job approx. 16 euros. bottom of the sea and remain and to share this knowledge with there for thousands of years. By a broad audience is my passion. analyzing the bottom of the sea I When I explain what a dangerous can identify geological phases in game people are playing with which there were a lot of or few their livelihoods, the question of- ! Lottery ice algae (and sea ice) present ten arises: what can we do? The in the Antarctic and how this in- biggest greenhouse gas emis- With its OEM division, Eppendorf offers teracted with the global climate sions come from the transport and high-quality customized solutions. Design and system. These findings mark- energy sector, and it is difficult for function are geared to the special edly improve climate forecasts individuals to change that. How- requirements and needs of customers. You can for the following reasons: if the ever, there is one way to become

find more about OEM on the following website sea ice retracts, the land ice be- active today: calculate your CO2 www.eppendorf.com/oem. gins to melt and sea levels rise footprint on the homepage of the enormously. This affects half of Federal Environment Agency and

What do you expect from an Eppendorf OEM the human population as coasts reduce it to one ton of CO2 per product? Tell us your ideas and requests and attract settlements and we find year. You will see that your life will you will have a chance of winning one of our food, resources and recovery. change fundamentally. popular Moleskine® notebooks including a The melting of the ice sheet is a LAMY® pen! process that occurs with a slight Maria-Elena Vorrath is studying for delay to global warming. Even if a PhD on the climate history of the Send us an e-mail to magazine@eppendorf. the cause was to be eliminated Antarctic at the Alfred Wegener In- com or register as a subscriber and leave us a the great melting process would stitute. She uses Science Slams and message with your answer. The conditions of continue over centuries. Slowing lectures to explain what happens participation can be found on our website. down the warming is all the more during global warming. important, there is no way back www.eppendorf.com/otb now. If no drastic measures are bit.ly/2qV9ELF

30 31 INSIDE EPPENDORF BRIGHT MINDS

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The Eppendorf app uses the latest technology to become even more user- The Power friendly: it has now become even easier to find and compare products and to virtually News place them in your lab thanks to the improved AR function*. More highlights: •Registering all of your Eppendorf devices of Touch made easy •Scan your epPoints® quickly and easily Ticker •Use the revised epT.I.P.S.® or ep Dualfilter T.I.P.S.® single-use racks to calculate the amount of crude oil/polypropylene that Innovations, new developments, could be saved media-related added value: *Your device needs the operating system IOS 13.0 or higher. a summary of news and innovative Download now on: www.eppendorf.com/app products from Eppendorf.

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The epT.I.P.S. pipette tip box – refillable and autoclavable, it has been an indispensable part of many laboratories since 2002. So it is time to give this jewel a more modern design. The new box in a bright white colour with clear lines, newly designed closing button and bluish coloured transparent lid fits perfectly into modern laboratory equipment. The new disposable rack from epT.I.P.S. comes in the same design style. Here the main focus was on reducing the amount of the raw With her research, Lauren Orefice wants to contribute to the improvement of material polypropylene as far as possible treatments for autism disorders. The young neurobiologist aims to uncover without compromising its stability and strength. the influence that the sense of touch has on those affected.

32 33 BRIGHT MINDS BRIGHT MINDS

Solutions from the laboratory Lauren Orefice and her team hope that their research on the sense of touch will lead to new therapeutic approaches for here are few things “A marked change in sensitiv- the treatment of autism more comforting than ity to sensory stimulation is a spectrum disorders Ta hug, more encouraging than symptom that is frequently over- a pat on the shoulder or as re- looked but very common among laxing as a gentle caress. Touch patients with ASD“, explains the is magic – light as a feather yet scientist. Approximately 85 per- effective; invisible yet percepti- cent of patients react in an ex- ble. Long before people are able tremely sensitive way to even the to hear or see, they can feel – for lightest touch. Simply brushing the tactile sense is the first sense against another person in a that autism spectrum disorders that develops inside the uterus. crowded store may be torture for are not caused exclusively by “It is the sense of touch that al- someone with autism. Some peo- aberrant brain function, as pre- lows the very first interpersonal ple experience a gust of wind as viously assumed. In fact, per- exchange, and one could go so far burning and heavy rain as pain- ipheral somatosensory neurons as to say that social development ful; even a haircut may be difficult Touch is essential for – those nerve cells outside the begins with touch”, says Lauren to endure. These are the realities brain which control the sense of Orefice. Sensations are essen- that drive the researcher. It is her the normal development touch – also play a critical role. In tial, just like the air we breathe. goal to make a contribution to- experiments involving mice, the “Touch is absolutely critical for wards making autism spectrum of the brain and social scientist was able to show that normal brain development and disorders more amenable to behavior.” these touch neurons are impaired also for social behavior.” This is treatment. It is to this end that in certain manifestations of ASD exactly why touch made its way she ponders a project hour upon Lauren Orefice and thus lead to altered sensory into Lauren’s scientific heart. hour, that she observes neurons behavior. In the beginning, it was mere engaged in networking – and that True to her life philosophy curiosity and enthusiasm that she discovers, uncovers, analyzes “there’s more to it”, Lauren has enticed the American, who was and evaluates them. simultaneously pulled a thera- raised in New Jersey, to study peutic approach out of her scien- the grocery store.” She likes to Biology at Boston College. A re- Dampening overreaction tific hat. It takes the shape of the enjoy life, even at work: in the search career was definitely not This was how Lauren and her compound Isoguvacine. The ex- fall, the lab held a pumpkin carv- on the horizon at the time. Only team were able to correct de- perimental compound which to ing challenge; in January, the lab after she transferred to George- cades-old ideas about the causes date is only approved for use in celebrated its first birthday, town University to pursue her of ASD. They were able to prove clinical trials, is capable of reduc- labiversary, and on Wednesday PhD in neuroscience, did it be- Research according to plan ing the activity of sensory neu- nights, everyone gathers “pretty Lauren Orefice investigates the development and come clear that she would be the function of the circuits that train our sense of touch rons and thus dampen excessive regularly for wine and cheese first in her large family to choose reactions. Wednesday”. a scientific career path. A masterpiece achievement Research thrives on humor Physical contact as a threat Lauren modestly describes her It is no wonder that occasionally For her postdoc, Lauren Orefice work as “hopeful”, as a “possible there is not enough time for her Drawing from the full joined the laboratory of Dr. David therapeutic path to treat specific husband – but he understands his Lauren Orefice uses a Ginty at Harvard Medical School, features of autism.” At the same wife’s ceaseless scientific curios- number of techniques in her laboratory, including the very same institution where time, her work has inspired the ity and her love for the lab. After from the family is just as import- molecular biology, today, at barely 35, she leads her scientific community. Professor all, a neuroscientist himself, he is ant for her work as curiosity, cre- electrophysiology and own research lab. Within the De- Mark Wallace of Vanderbilt Uni- equally electrified by the mirac- ativity and perseverance. Oh, yes, behavioural research partment of Genetics, she studies versity in Nashville, Tennessee, ulous world of the nervous sys- “and a good sense of humor” – as the development, the function was among those who praised tem. Together, they share their a researcher, you could always use and the weaknesses of somato- her work: “This study is a tech- love for Pippa: “She’s adorable, a pinch of that. sensory circuits. These circuits nological masterpiece.” The Ep- extremely loving, and keeps us encompass the wiring which in- pendorf AG honored the work by very busy”, Lauren says about structs the tactile sense as well presenting Lauren Orefice with her female Staffordshire terrier, as perceptions. Lauren wants the Eppendorf & Science Prize for who entertains her on hikes and to uncover the influence that Neurobiology, worth $25,000. walks in her spare time. the tactile sense has on autism Lauren’s life revolves around Where can the researcher still LEARN MORE? spectrum disorders (ASD). While her lab. If she is not physically clear her head? “I have recently most humans instinctively yearn present, she is thinking about it. started taking ballet lessons again Click here for for touch, physical contact is ex- She can hardly suppress a smile as a different way of expressing the website perienced as unpleasant, threat- as she recounts: “Having a smart- myself creatively. A good cup of ening, and even painful, by many phone is helpful if you come up tea and a phone call to my family people with autism. with an experiment idea while in works wonders too.” Support www.oreficelab.org

34 35 BRIGHT MINDS BRIGHT MINDS

Jess Wade leads a double life. She is polymer physicist during the day. At night, she fights for better representation Wonder Women of women and people of color on Wikipedia.

Dr. Wade, your regular job is researching bridge and Oxford crystallographer, who that. So they respond badly. I think this is light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Since ear- was influential in the discovery of DNA something that I can win by turning it into ly 2018 you have edited more than 850 structure in the 1940s. In spite of being something good. Wikipedia entries about female scien- real scientific royalty, she left science com- tists in the evenings. What is the moti- pletely to look after her two children. It When will you stop? vation behind your second occupation? wasn’t until a Canadian pediatrician met Wade: That is a really good question. I Jess Wade: Eleven percent of physics her at his mother-in-law’s 90th birthday don’t know. I used to play on my comput- professors in Great Britain are women. As party, that her story went mainstream. I er and do video games when I needed a physicist, I see the underrepresentation found out, and now she’s on Wikipedia. some down time from my day job. Now I of women and people of color on a daily find that Wikipedia is just the most pro- basis. I read Angela Saini’s book “Inferior: Have you ever given up on anyone? ductive thing to do. I love learning about The True Power of Women and the Science Wade: I stop when I get the feeling that different periods of science I would That Shows It” in 2017. It points out the I don’t like the person or when I think they otherwise have no opportunity to interact stereotypes that have excluded women are really arrogant or big on self promotion with. I will keep going until I stop enjoying from contributing to science and society. and don’t need more public coverage. I it. Hopefully along the way I will have Around the same time, I met Dr. Alice also stop when it becomes apparent that trained and motivated enough people who White, a Wikipedia editor who explained although I might think that they are im- want to contribute. to me how influential this platform is. En- portant, they don’t meet Wikipedia’s strict glish Wikipedia gets 32 million page views notability criteria. For example scientists a day, but about 90 percent of the content must have published a number of papers, is created by white men in North America. they have to be named professor and they SHORT PORTRAIT Only 18 percent of the biographies on En- have to have won an international award. ! glish language Wikipedia are about wom- This rules out women and people of color en. particularly because they don’t get enough public recognition or grants. How do you find out about the people you would like to write about? Do you think that Wikipedia needs to Wade: Sometimes it’s seeing people change its rules? speak, sometimes it’s from social media, Wade: I think that the rules are actually sometimes it’s reading newspapers or OK. They just reflect our society which is journals or magazines. This is how I find not equal. The problem is that we don’t out whether someone has won a presti- give enough recognition to women or peo- gious award or done a big lecture or pub- ple of color. So, I think we should actually lished a really interesting scientific paper. keep the same criteria, but get better in In the evening, when I come home from awarding women and people of color more the lab, I start researching. There are peo- fellowships and more significant science ple who are easy to find and some who awards. The online encyclopedia is the need more extensive work. But those who only peer-reviewed, crowdsourced, de- Dr. Jessica Wade graduated in phys- are trickier to research can prove to be a mocratized access to information world- ics, chemistry and art. She then bit more interesting. There are a lot of wide. If you put content on there, people lived in Florence and took classes in people that have done incredible things in don’t only read it, it changes their percep- art and art history. This is where science but have not had the coverage that tion about who they think does science she learned about people like Leon- they deserve yet. and what they think science is. ardo da Vinci who was an artist, ar- chitect and scientist at the same Do you have a favorite discovery? Have you ever experienced criticism for time. She returned to science for Wade: Physicist Donna Strickland won your edits? her master’s degree and finished the Nobel Prize in 2018. She didn’t Wade: Definitely. Unsurprisingly, Wiki- her PhD in May 2016. She then took have a Wikipedia page until the day the pedia editors don’t like being told that they on a job in educational policy for six award was announced. An editor had re- are sexists or racists. Some claim that by months but figured instantly that Physics high-flyer Donna Strickland is only the jected a submitted entry, claiming the adding more women’s biographies I would she had to have a reseach job and third woman to win the Nobel subject did not meet Wikipedia’s notabil- be making the website worse instead of returned to the Blackett Laboratory in physics. The first was Marie ity requirement. My favorite recent entry better. They argue that if we have a gender at Imperial College London. Curie in 1903; the second was Maria Goeppert-Mayer in 1963 was the physicist June Lindsey, a Cam- gap in society, Wikipedia should reflect

37 BRIGHT MINDS BRIGHT MINDS

media data that one can automatically access via PODCAST TIPS FROM BENJAMIN THOMPSON a web feed. Storage and distribution of podcasts ! Science in are thus Internet-based and differ from classic analog radio. According to a common explanation, • “Ask yourself who should be the name “podcast” is composed of the English “to your target audience. Whom broadcast” and the latter part of the brand name would you like to address? “iPod”. At the time of the inception of podcasts, All your stories should be in the early 2000s, this portable MP3 player by geared towards your listen- Your Ear Apple was a common tool with which to listen to er base.” such podcasts. A different definition of “pod” – the acronym of “play on demand” – also fits the bill. • “There are already many • “Aim for regularity, but be re- Whether it is comedy, culture or a personality Once subscribed to, podcasts are available at any podcasts on various topics. alistic. You're unlikely to be show – many, mostly young, listeners love podcasts. time via a suitable device such as a smartphone Find your niche! Make what able to produce an episode a or tablet. you know, what you’re good day, so go for once a week, But – are these any good at communicating science? Benjamin Thompson, himself a passionate lis- at and what you enjoy be your or once a month when you Benjamin Thompson of “Nature Podcast” says: Yes! tener of podcasts, considers this to be a huge asset podcast topic.” start out.” of the medium: “Many people listen to podcasts while traveling or while they exercise.” They thus fill “dead” time or routines with entertainment or knowledge. The latter is provided by the Nature enjamin Thompson is a curious spirit. Podcast once per week. The regular show illumi- their discoveries; most scientists join the Nature Since 2017, the Doctor of Microbiology nates the most exciting scientific news. “Our pro- team via phone. At the Nature Research branch in Bhas hosted the “Nature Podcast”, which belongs duction process always starts on Wednesdays”, London, the team occupies a small studio – which to the scientific publisher Nature Research. “I love says the reporter, “that’s when we sit together and affords it the necessary quiet time to conduct tele- two things”, says 40 year-old Thompson, “learn- hold our editorial meeting to discuss which two or phone conversations of acceptable sound quality. ing about the latest topics in science and telling three topics from the current Nature “Only the time difference can at times be a bit of a stories.” With this, he succinctly summarizes the publications will be included in the show.” predicament”, laughs the host of the show. main components that come together in the Na- In addition to the news show, there are other ture Podcast. But what is it that differentiates the Distilling knowledge recurring formats; for example, the monothematic audio format from the large numbers of journals The constant challenge: how to distill a lengthy pa- discussion round “Backchat”. Or “PastCasts”, and magazines published by Nature Research? In per written in scientific language into an interesting which tell the best stories behind the stories from other words, from the digital and print publications six to seven minute-long audio story? Thompson the Nature archives. Since its beginnings in 2005, that one must read, line by line. In strict scientific follows his instinct: “I ask questions to which I more than 600 episodes have been produced, and tradition, the answer first leads to the definition. myself would like to know the answer.” Every new a broad and diverse base of regular listeners has topic involves interviews with scientists from all been established. The latter is really the crux of Subscribable files over the world. Thompson and his colleagues then the matter when it comes to employing podcasts: The podcast is a fairly new addition to the histo- weave the story around these contributions. One their success, in terms of reach, is difficult to mea- ry of media. Even though audio formats are most day, it’s the mathematical three-body problem; an- sure. Numbers of downloads, for example, do not often associated with the term, podcasts also in- other day, it’s the genome of butterflies – the range reflect on whether or not an episode was actually clude videos. Per definition, podcasts comprise of topics is as broad as science itself. Typically, listened to in its entirety. At Nature Research, how- the scientists enjoy being available to talk about ever, the podcast is a fixed component of the entire output, and it complements the magazine world. “We are fortunate in that we are able to focus en- tirely on the quality of good stories”, says Thomp- son. Even though he came on board only three years ago, he is a podcaster through and through. While working for his previous employer, the Microbiol- ogy Society, he was responsible for the podcast “Microbe Talk” – a very specialized subject. In practice, moreover, he learned to appreciate an- other advantage of the medium: the enthusiasm of the scientists who are being interviewed is palpa- ble in a much more personal and direct manner. “It is a very personal matter; you broadcast direct- ly into the ear of the listener.”

38 39 1969 EXPLORING LIFE 2016 The student Charles S. Kline transmits a mes- sage from a computer at UCLA in Los Angeles 1974 In October 2016, the number of to another computer located roughly 500 Internet searches via mobile devices kilometers away at Stanford Research Institute Vint Cerf and Bob surpasses the number of Internet users (at the time, computers were still significantly Kahn develop a with desktop devices for the first time. larger than the Macintosh model of the 1980s). communication technology named TCP to allow people from different networks to communicate with each other. The actual Internet comes into www existence. 1989

@ British physicist Tim 1972 Berners-Lee presents the idea of the WWW Ray Tomlinson introduces (World Wide Web) at the first e-mail to the the European Research net. He chooses the “@” Center CERN. symbol to label different users’ addresses.

was hoping for a network that would be own massive amounts of user data: “We MORE ON THE TOPIC 50 Years able to withstand large-scale outages fol- depend on these companies’ abilities to ! lowing an enemy attack. The scientists satisfy their responsibilities regarding who were tasked with furthering the de- data security, however, we have already Internet as a Human Right? The reason is that prior to this event, velopment of the Internet in subsequent been disappointed in the past. National, More than half of the world’s this kind of exchange of information had years were unsuccessful in eliminating a but also European, solutions are crucial. population uses the Internet – of Internet only been possible between structurally substantial security defect. To this day, ”In addition, the relocation of entire tendency rising. The standard of identical computers with the same oper- the protocol does not contain any built-in industry sectors into the digital realm living in many countries and ating system. The network of the Ad- security functions. “In practice, it is ex- carries risks, states Grunwald: “Even to- regions depends on it to a large From the first message, to roughly four vanced Research Projects Agency (AR- pected that everyone will trust everyone day, there are targeted attempts of attacks extent. “Internet access is not a billion Internet users worldwide, it has come PANET), the precursor to the Internet, else on the Internet”, Grant Blank of the on important institutions and supply net- luxury but a simple human right. suddenly enabled the connection of all British Oxford Internet Institute said to works. You really don’t want to imagine in Everyone should have uncon- a long way: a retrospective review of 50 computers – even across great distances. the magazine “New Scientist”. detail what will happen if the energy sup- trolled and uncensored access to years of Internet – and a brief preview. “Beginning with this short message, the ply were to collapse due to, for instance, this global medium”, comments Internet can look back on an unprecedented Caution: Internet a hacker attack.” Dr. Merten Reglitz, philosopher triumph”, recounts Armin Grunwald, Head The trust of consumers, however, took a On the other hand, says Grunwald, the and ethicist at the University of of the Office of Technology Assessment at hit in the decades that followed. As a result dangers of the Internet should not blind Birmingham, in a current study. the German Bundestag (TAB). “Nobody of the rapidly growing numbers of users, us to all the advantages which the Internet His team investigated whether has set foot on the moon since 1972 where- not only commercial interests, but also affords people and which have long been Internet access represented an as the Internet is used by roughly four crime and abuse, were on the rise. Even taken for granted: “The Internet is the essential necessity for humanity. nly a few months after astro- billion people every day.” before 1989, when the World Wide Web dream of limitless freedom. People across According to Reglitz, Internet ac- nauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz and – a few years later – the first browsers the globe are connected and have access cess is also a prerequisite for the OAldrin in Apollo 11 were the first humans Initial research purpose began to considerably simplify the use of to knowledge and education. The world ability to safeguard other human to land on the moon, student Charles S. Initially, the success story of the Internet the Internet, the first computer viruses will continue to consolidate and become rights such as the freedom of Kline of the University of California at was anything but a linear path. From the had already begun to circulate. And the smaller.” Indeed, according to predictions speech, the freedom of informa- Los Angeles sent a message with the text first transmitted message to today’s Inter- more users went online in the years that by different sources, more than 100 million tion and the freedom of assembly. “Login” from one computer to another, net with the well-known browsers, apps followed – there were already 500 million additional people will have access to the located 500 kilometers to the north at and functions, it has come a long way – in 2002 – the more viruses, worms, hacker Internet by 2021. Ever cheaper technolo- Stanford Research Institute – the Internet also in terms of time. One of the reasons attacks and misuse of data emerged. gies and the advancing distribution of was born. “We knew that we were devel- was the fact that the original purpose of “Today, of course, we are much more networks will strengthen this trend in the oping an important new technology which the Internet was the facilitation and sim- aware of the downsides of the Internet”, near future. Grunwald: “This dream of the was expected to be useful to a subset of plification of communication between explains Grunwald of TAB. In the future, world as a global village is no longer a the population. But we had no idea how research institutions worldwide. Even the potential for danger will lie within the mere Utopia. It is now up to us whether, significant the event really was”, Kline’s the United States Department of Defense power positions of tech giants such as and how, we will further realize the boss, Leonard Kleinrock reported later. was involved during the first decades; it Google®, Facebook® and Amazon® that dream.”

40 41 EXPLORING LIFE EXPLORING LIFE

Professor of Cardiology. The prophylactic against heart attack 66-year-old is considered a pio- in men, it does not work in neer; she initiated the first Ger- women. The sleeping medication Differently Sick man Institute for Gender Re- Zolpidem causes a strong hang- search in medicine. It was the over in women – women are only year 2003, at the Charité Hospital prescribed half the dose. To this in Berlin, two years after Sweden day, most package inserts do not When women suffer a heart attack, had founded the first European address this issue. Institute for Gender Medicine. In The reasons are of a biological it often goes unrecognized. Men Germany, gender medicine still (see info box) as well as political set the standards in medicine – leads a niche existence. Scandi- nature: the majority of doctors navian countries and Switzer- are male. Women are also in diagnostics as well as therapy. land, as well as Canada and the underrepresented in guideline Why is that? United Nations, are miles ahead. committees where treatment In these places, for example, re- standards are defined. Further- search proposals are only ap- more, since men dominate the proved if they consider gen- scientific societies, research con- der-specific differences. tinues to be a man’s world. It is therefore no surprise that it is Medicine – a man’s world mainly young male mice which are consequence: more women than It can be a matter of life and tested in pharmaceutical studies, men die following a heart attack. death. Even with medication, and that medication is optimally According to statistics, the there is that little difference – tailored to young men. Vera chances of recovery from diseas- with, at times, serious conse- Regitz-Zagrosek emphasizes: es of the heart and circulatory quences. Digoxin, a common “Gender medicine is not intended system are about half as good for medication used to treat cardiac to be women’s medicine.” The 40-year-old hairdresser women as they are for men. The insufficiency, may even reinforce goal is to develop better medica- suddenly complains of clinical picture manifests serious heart problems in women. tions for men and women. Anausea, chest pains and copious differences: the sudden cardiac Medications against high blood sweating while at work. She goes arrest of an athlete mainly affects pressure exhibit stronger side- to the bathroom and hopes that men, while stress-induced heart effects in women. And while things will improve. Her family disease – by now well-known as common Aspirin is an effective doctor diagnoses stomach upset. the “Eve attack” – is 90 percent a Days pass. Following a blood women’s issue. It is a fact: wom- pressure measurement at a lo- en’s illnesses are not quite the cal pharmacy, a heart attack is same. Autoimmune diseases, de- diagnosed in a cardiac outpatient pression and osteoporosis are clinic. Two weeks had passed! considered classic women’s ill- BACKGROUND nesses. Even in the case of gas- ! Women! trointestinal cancer, recently This typical example shows that discovered gender-specific differ- Biological differences such as height, fat on the one hand, women tend not ences revealed that women con- content, hormones and enzyme structure to take their heart problems seri- tinue to be at risk into old age. For are among the reasons why medications are ously. After all, they believe that a this reason, Professor Thomas taken up differently by women. Even the heart attack is only accompanied Schiedeck, President of the Ger- journey of a substance to the liver is by a strong sensation of tightness man Society for General and Vis- considerably longer in a woman. In addition, in the chest as it is experienced ceral Surgery, demands a shift in medications react differently with the sex by men, as well as with pain the current statutory provision hormones – testosterone in men, estrogen radiating into the left arm. Further- which applies to screening for in women. There is also considerable more, medical professionals are gastrointestinal cancers: men interplay between biological (“sex”) and less likely to suspect a heart at- would be recommended to be socio-cultural (“gender”) criteria, including tack in a woman, which is why screened even prior to turning toxins, smoking and stress. “Overall, female emergency procedures are often 50, whereas women would be cells deal better with environmental initiated too late in the case of fe- screened well past their 75th influences”, explains Vera Regitz-Zagrosek, male patients. Studies show that birthdays. Professor of Gender Medicine. Thanks to the emergency first responders are “The symptoms experienced double X chromosome, female cells also less willing to perform heart by women frequently do not cor- developed protective processes, which pressure massage on a woman respond to what is written in the should now also be harnessed for men. – likely due to uneasiness sur- very male-centered textbooks”, rounding the female breast. The explains Dr. Vera Regitz-Zagrosek,

42 43 EXPLORING LIFE EXPLORING LIFE Historic

ustrous red brick buildings with turrets, bay windows and green Warehouses copperL domes jostle for space. They rise above thousands of oak pilings in the midst Hamburg, in Germany’s north, is famous not only for the of the port of Hamburg, and those who stroll among them, through the cobble- Reeperbahn, its port and the Jungfernstieg, its magnifi- stone alleys, will catch the scent of roasted cent boulevard, but also for the landmark Speicherstadt, coffee and the salty water of the river Elbe. Above their heads, seagulls cry and tell of th a heritage warehouse district from the 19 century. the nearby ocean. Welcome to Hamburg’s Speicherstadt, the largest warehouse complex in the world! Two miniature castles of Wilhelmian splendor await the visitor, along with a profusion of exhibits, restaurants and cafes which have found a home on the creaking floors of the old warehouses. The Speicherstadt arose after the Han- seatic city had lost its free trade status and joined the German Customs Union in the mid-19 th century. Since the citizens of Hamburg wanted to continue to store to- bacco, coffee, cocoa and spices free of duty within its free port, they built sky- high warehouses on two islands in the river Elbe. Approximately 20,000 people had to be moved to accommodate the proj- ect. Hamburg was henceforth known as Germany’s “Gateway to the World”. In 1991, the Speicherstadt was classified as a historical monument; in 2015 UNESCO® declared it, together with the neighboring Kontorhaus district, a World Heritage Site.

Castles in the Speicherstadt The Speicherstadt boasts two castles: the fairytale miniature Wasserschlösschen (moated castle), with its delicate clock tower, was built at the location where Wandrahmsfleet (canal) and Holländis- chbrookfleet meet. It was built in 1899 in Brick Expressionism style, and it housed not royalty, as may be suspected from the splendor; in fact, it was the guardians of the winch who lived here and who were responsible for maintaining the hydraulic warehouse winches. A green varnished door with latticed windows leads to the inside of the building. Visitors find them- selves inside a quaint shop with creaking floorboards and shelves that are several Waterside, from the air Hamburg scenery including meters high. Here, in the Teekontor parts of the harbor, the Speicherstadt and the city’s 44 landmark, the Elbphilharmonie 45 concert hall Panoramic view From the Plaza (r.) of the "Elphi" (l.) LET’S GO! the whole city in view Typical Speicherstadt: all things delicious and precious

The crêpery Ti Breizh is located in a merchant building dating back to the year 1700, directly adjacent to the Nikolaifleet in the landmarked Deichstraße. Trans- Change of perspective lated “House of Britanny”, visitors Discover the Speicherstadt can order not only sweet crêpes by tour boat and savory galettes, but also fish soup, marinated sardines or salad with goat cheese. The generously laid out restaurant, which stretch-

(“tea office”), tea from all over the world Sparkling beauty of the Elbphilharmonie Small and popular es across two levels, also hosts is offered for sale. More than 250 vari- In the immediate vicinity of the Wilhelmine Enjoy a coffee break at regular art exhibits. eties are available, and accordingly, the splendor of redbrick Gothic, you will find the "Fleetschlösschen" scent of many flavors wafts through the the Elbphilharmonie – the heart of Hafen- Deichstraße 39, air: caramel, rooibos, bergamot. The staff city, the new quarter framed by Speicher- 20459 Hamburg are happy to explain which mixes can be stadt, Elbe and Mönckebergstraße. Elphi, found in the beautiful bags with the me- as it is endearingly known, is now con- lodious names. Elbufer (bank of the Elbe sidered to be Hamburg’s new landmark; www.tibreizh.de River), for example, tastes of peppermint, as a glass wave, it towers above an old blackberry, rose, lemon and raspberry. warehouse in which, until the 1960s, Those who can’t get their fill of small cocoa, coffee and tea had been stored. In castles can walk a few steps to the Fleet- the evening hours, it glistens like a crystal 2 schlösschen on the corner of Brooktorkai before a pink sky, and the stars who per- and Sankt-Annen-Brücke. Located be- form here are also in awe. “Gorgeous!”, Roasted coffee beans sacks and packages filled tween the mighty warehouses, directly exclaims Soprano Cecilia Bartoli, who has emanate a nutty, seduc- with coffee. This is the next to a pedestrian crosswalk, the little sung Rossini and Vivaldi in the concert hall tive aroma that leaves place to sample delicious house with the pointed roof looks more that is built to resemble a vineyard. “I hope no room for doubt: specialties such as Kopi like a forgotten toy. Inside the building – to come back to Hamburg many times in Kehrwieder 5 is home to Luwak from Indonesia the former seat of the customs office – you the future!” what is likely the most which may cost more will now find a café. It is worth having a Particularly beautiful, and accessible famous Speicherstadt than 200 Euros per kilo- break for a while, even outside, to take in without a concert ticket, is the observa- the ride up to the plaza. It leads through Kaffeerösterei. It re- gram retail. the view of the waterway and feel for a tion deck plaza along the juncture con- a tunnel studded with glass sequins on sides in the vast space moment like the resident royalty. necting the brick warehouse to the new the only curved escalator in the world. of an ancient warehouse Kehrwieder 5, glass construction. It leads you around the Afterwards, the concert house and the with rustic oak floors, 20457 Hamburg History with a scare-factor building in the open air, and its view of the view of Hamburg can be appreciated from the center of which Long lineups have formed in front of the bell tower of St. Michaelis church and the the water: simply walk over to the dock 1 contains piles of gunny speicherstadt-kaffee.de “Warehouse of Culture” at Kehrwieder, busy cranes in the port of Hamburg are “Elbphilharmonie” and take ferry 72 to which confirm the statistics of visitor simultaneously priceless and free, as is Landungsbrücken. Ahoy! numbers: the “Dungeon”, a chamber of horrors, and “Miniatur Wunderland®” are two of Hamburg’s most popular attrac- A marble "carpet" leads walkers over 27 meters across tions at the Speicherstadt. In the “Dun- HAMBURG – THE BIRTHPLACE OF EPPENDORF the Wilhelminen-Brücke in Hafencity. It is intended to geon”, actors illustrate the history of the remind us of the importance of the Speicherstadt as Hanseatic city. Visitors relive the great ! a transshipment point for oriental carpets. Nowhere fire of 1842, the execution of the pirate Eppendorf was founded in Hamburg in 1945 – to this day the company’s else in Europe is there more trade in carpets than Störtebeker on Grasbrook Island in 1401, headquarters with more than 3,600 employees worldwide, ten production here: When laid end to end, the goods will cover an or the era of the plague. The “Miniatur sites and subsidiaries in 26 countries. Eppendorf Liquid Handling GmbH area the size of 16 football fields. Whoever wants to Wunderland“, on the other hand, houses and Eppendorf Instrumente GmbH are also based in the Hanseatic city, as be inspired is in the right place at "On the Rugs": the world’s largest computer controlled is the logistics center in Rahlstedt and one of the Partner Brands. In Ham- Anna Wahdat, daughter of a long-established Ham- model train complex. It comprises 15.2 burg Hummelsbüttel, the headquarters of the Eppendorf Group, approxi- burg oriental carpet dealer, shows beautiful oriental kilometers of track, 260,000 figurines, mately 1,000 employees from various departments, such as development and nomadic carpets in her showroom at Sandtorkai. 130,000 trees and 1,380 signals – even and production, service and marketing or quality management and finance, 900 couples trysting in the woods. as well as human resources management contribute to the global success Am Sandtorkai 26, of the company. 20457 Hamburg www.ontherugs.de 3

46 47 EXPLORING LIFE EXPLORING LIFE

Not long ago, I wouldn’t have done any- contacted the organizers, who quickly for a recommendation letter, I offer to pro- thing about it. Growing up, I had been agreed to add me to the panel. vide a draft. I know best how to highlight taught that the way to success was to put I’ve come to understand that I can’t be my skills and accomplishments for a par- my head down and work hard. If my work recognized or rewarded for my work if I’m ticular application, and it doesn’t hurt to Let Your was good enough, it would speak for itself invisible. This isn’t a revolutionary idea, I offer. and I would be rewarded. This, coupled know, but as an introvert this is my per- I’ve also embraced social media as a way with a natural shyness, meant that I rare- sonal Everest. The biggest lesson I’ve to share my accomplishments more wide- ly worked up the nerve to put myself for- learned is simply to ask for what you want. ly. I was hesitant at first, worried that I ward. Ask to be nominated for an award. Ask to might cross the line from self-promotion Then last year happened. My long-term give a guest lecture. Ask for a reference to bragging. But when I asked myself Stars relationship was in shambles. I was in the letter from that person you think is beyond whether I was turned off by other scien- midst of a significant health scare and your reach. The worst that can happen is tists sharing their publications, awards, battling doubts about where my career that the answer is no, but I’ve found that projects and achievements, the answer was headed. When the dust settled, I de- people are generally happy to oblige. was clear: nope. In fact, their self-promo- cided that I needed to take control of my I am also working to get more comfort- tion helped me discover amazing work and life again – by becoming my own biggest able promoting my accomplishments. A find new professional connections. Last Shine advocate. couple of years ago, when a mentor agreed year, for example, I was intrigued to see So, with my heart pounding, I asked my to write a recommendation letter for me two young female scientists promoting colleague to ask the panel organizers to but asked me to provide a draft as a start- their new podcast on Twitter. I comment- include me. My mind flooded with a litany ing point, I agonized over it. Writing nice ed on their post, suggesting science pol- of well-practiced self-doubt. Maybe I things about myself felt completely unnat- icy as an episode topic, and they ended didn’t deserve it. Maybe I was being too ural. With every complimentary statement up interviewing me on their show! This ambitious. But my colleague immediately I committed to paper came mounting anx- unique opportunity would never have ma- iety that my mentor would disapprove of terialized without a little online self- my lack of humility. I never got any feed- promotion on both our ends. back about that letter, so I don’t know for I think advocating for myself will always sure what my mentor thought of it. None- make me a little uncomfortable. But I do theless, I learned an important lesson: I plenty of other uncomfortable things to can’t control what other people think, so ensure I’m living my best life, like getting I might as well share my accomplishments flu shots and (ugh) going to the gym. I sup- as best I can. These days, whenever I ask pose I can do the same for my career. few months ago, one of my fellow graduate students was Aoffered an incredible career-building opportunity. His efforts on a student-led campaign to increase federal funding for basic research had led to an invitation to speak on a conference panel about health research advocacy. He would have a prominent platform to share his work with a large audience, and he would get to meet and network with leaders in the field. It would look great on his CV. I was happy for him, of course; he deserved it. But my feelings were complicated. I had been an equal partner in the campaign. I felt that I deserved the same opportunity. Yet I hadn’t been invited, and I wasn’t sure why.

THE SOURCE i This article was reproduced with the kind permission of the journal “Science”, in which this Vanessa Sung is a PhD student at article was first published on McGill University in Montreal, July 27, 2018 in the section Canada, and co-president of the “Working Life”. Science and Policy Exchange

48 49 EXPLORING LIFE EXPLORING LIFE Nature in Pictures

The 2019 “Royal Society of Biology” photo competition will produce real talents in photography. Here we present two animalistically good winning motives.

Runner up: Young Photographer of the Year

Lillian Quinn has captured a large herd of zebras crossing the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The zebras Highly commended: are hoping to avoid the crocodiles on Photographer of the Year their way to the other side of the river. Mudhoppers are very They make the trip once a year. territorial and usually chase away intruders. They are amphibian fish, Photographer: Lillian Quinn which means they can Title: The Stampede leave the water for a Taken: Maasai Mara National long time and survive for Reserve, Kenya several days out of the water. They breathe through the damp lining of their mouth and throat, so they prefer high hu- midity and are often found in muddy mangrove “Capturing Movement” is the swamps. theme of this year’s Royal Society of Biology Photography Competition. Life on Earth is Photographer: Sudhir Gaikward constantly changing, and Title: Territorial Fight photographers are invited to Taken: Sundarban Tiger take a photo of nature in motion. Supported by Eppendorf, Reserve, India the competition has two age categories: 18 and over and under 18s. www.rsb.org.uk/photocomp

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